<p>Hmmm. I was accepted this year at UPenn and Princeton but chose Berkeley. So I can advise you on three of the schools you want to attend. However, you must take into account that for Berkeley, I was an instate student, therefore, it was much, much easier for me to get into Berkeley than for you. </p>
<p>I too am Asian, though I’m an immigrant. I don’t know if that makes any difference. But I will offer you some suggestions. </p>
<p>Right now, it’s truly too early to decide. What I would suggest (that is, if you are sure that you will go into business) is look into internship. I know that Wharton (if you apply there–I applied to College of Arts and Science) internship is very important along with leadership skills, which you seem to lack. If I were you, I would really try to find something you are truly passionate about and try to obtain some form of leadership position, preferably presidency (I noticed that a lot of your ECs are scattered. It’s okay if you are truly passionate about them, but there is a thin line in college adcoms eyes between well balanced individual and the notorious EC hoarder). I for one had only 4 important ECs (Best Buddies, Art, Speech and Debate, along with Academic Decathlon). I only had 2 internships (CA assemblyman’s intern, and UCSD lab assistant) so I know for sure that you do not need to crowd your resume with pages and pages of ECs. But I cannot stress enough how important PASSION is. Colleges don’t want one dimensional students, especially one dimensional Asian students (there are so many of us out there that are qualified that you really have to stand out somehow). So really have something, anything, that you are passionate about and stick to it. It doesn’t even matter if it is not academic related. </p>
<p>Another trend I noticed is that most people tend to think that perfect, or nearly perfect SAT scores are the gateway to the Ivies and other prestigious universities. I can tell you that this is not the case. Class rank, ECs, essay and recommendations are all more important. That is not to say that you should blow off your SAT. If you get into the range of 2250 and above, you should be fine. I had a 2260 on my SAT and my school’s salutarian had something like 2370 on his. Not to sound arrogant but rather to give you a personal example of this, while I got into all my schools except for Columbia (I was waitlisted), he did not get into any ivies he applied to. </p>
<p>Also, you need to start considering who will write your letter of rec for you. This is really important. I started this step rather late, but I was lucky enough to have two teachers who genuinely liked me as an individual and a student. You need to start finding two or three teachers how will write such an astounding letter that it would blow the adcoms away. It is best to look for teachers who know you well (so you might have to take some initiative to know some of your favorite teachers more), who are good writers (this is really important because they will have to have the ABILITY to communicate to the teachers how absolutely wonderful you are), and who also like you as an individual and respect you as a student. </p>
<p>Your essay is truly important. You can be as amazing as you can be with your scores, your achievement and your rank. But if you came out as boring, arrogant, insecure, whiny, or all of the above, you have no shot. Essays are CRUCIAL. </p>
<p>As for now, you are doing a good job. explore the ecs and find a few that you love and stick with them. Do well in some form of competition (although this is not always necessary), and do something meaningful over the summer (and I don’t mean the cliched “life changin trips to africa”). </p>
<p>Good luck in a couple years ! :)</p>