<p>I'm a current junior in high school
So far my stats are:</p>
<p>SAT: 2390 (CR: 800, W:800, M:790)
SAT II: Math II 800, Chem 800, Bio M 770</p>
<p>Class rank: 1% out of 350 kids </p>
<p>I've taken the most rigorous classes and have straight As on them,
so I think academically, I'm ok. </p>
<p>The ECs are the problem! I don't think I have any hooks or great ECs.</p>
<p>In school:
Varsity Track/ Cross Country for 3 years
President of Diversity Club at School
Varsity Debate
Math Travel Team (only 10 kids at the school are chosen for travel team)
Science League
Ski Club
Peer Mentors (club that helps younger kids)</p>
<p>Outside of School:
Volunteer at a local children's center (for children in need) - 300 hrs
Violin- won an award for a radio center competition </p>
<p>Thats it! I didn't do any of these ECs for college, I did them because I like helping children and running and math and all that.
But now that I'm starting to look into colleges, I feel like they're so weak and all over the place.
Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Make your essays count and you’ll most likely get accepted to one of the Top 20 Universities. You have little chance for HYPS though. While your ECs aren’t stellar, they aren’t terrible either. Apply to schools like Alabama, Furman, Clemson, USC and other large publics and you have a very good shot for merit aid, if that’s what floats your boat.</p>
<p>Oh, and if i managed to get any science/math related awards, or did a science internship at a major college over the summer, would that be a significant boost?</p>
<p>I hate to say this but…your chances just dwindled significantly because you’re Asian. The harsh reality is that Adcoms will see you as the typical nerdy Asian with good grades and scores, but no significant extracurricular accomplishments. I encourage you to look at schools that offer merit aid to high SAT scores.</p>
<p>Of the unhooked applicants to apply, you look like the prime candidate that HYPS would accept… I would definitely apply. Send in your two 800 subject tests. Your only “flaw” is your 10 points in Math on SAT I. Other than that your academics are perfect… Honestly you have a good shot at multiple ivy acceptances.</p>
<p>Howdoudo989: I know I was kinda dreading that. I’m not the nerdy asian that lives in the library, but I dont really have too many skills outside of academics…
Does varsity track not count for much if im not all county/all state, even if i become captain next year?</p>
<p>i wouldn’t be discouraged because you’re asian! those are pretty good ecs especially because they are spread out and show different interests.
You’d have a good shot at the top 20 schools as long as your essays show you aren’t the typical Asian nerd! gl</p>
<p>Great stats. Rather decent ECs. Write good essays and you will get into some very good colleges. I hesitate to say you’re an in/out for HYPSM because ANYONE who applies there has a very small chance of admission, but I do think you would make a competitive candidate. Do as good as you can this year! And I recommend reading Cal Newport’s Guide to High School admissions…it particularly touches on the passion part of ECs.</p>
<p>Ignore anyone who says don’t apply to a school like HYPSM (if you want to go there) --. </p>
<p>Yes, these schools have <10% admissions rates, which means that ANYONE’s chances are somewhat slim. But by this logic, no one should apply there!!! Your profile matches or exceeds that of the entering class.</p>
<p>Science/Math related awards will help.</p>
<p>Applying to a science related field as a female (if this is your interest) will help – especially if you get those awards.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in engineering – being a female will help A LOT. (For example, Cornell’s engineering admissions rate is double that for males – they’re making an effort to encourage women in science, as are many other schools).</p>
<p>Track – it’s a good EC. Being Captain shows dedication and leadership, which are both good. Track kind of works against the Nerdy Stereotype too, which is good. In order to be ‘great’, you’d probably have to be good enough to compete at a College level.</p>
<p>Internships always help, but I also think you need a way to set yourself apart from, well…the other Asians with perfect scores who play the violin.</p>
<p>Languidness: I used to play the violin… haha awkward
But I’m hoping track, essays, volunteer (?)
will differentiate me from “the other asians”
I dont know what else would though!</p>
<p>A better use of your time would be to drill down into the programs of interest at each school you are applying to and figure out which ones most appeal to you, are the best fit, etc…Harvard is not like Stanford is not like MIT. Know who you are and what interests you. Check out the courses in the depts you are interested in, look at the research that the faculty in the depts are doing and what books they have published - try to identify what is unique about each school that makes it a good fit for you. </p>
<p>Not only does it help you know yourself better, but you’ll interview better and if they ask ‘why us,’ you’ll have an intelligent answer. With a little luck, you’ll get to choose between some excellent schools and you’ll have the information to make an informed choice.</p>
<p>You do not need more than 1 safety (usually flagship state u).</p>
<p>Aim high and go for the very best colleges. You will have great choices and FA package options (if you are not a full pay) if you APPLY to MANY TOP COLLEGES.</p>