Stanford/Ivy Acceptance -- Do My Extracurricular Activities Cut It?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I am currently a junior from Plano, TX (suburb near Dallas) and am thinking of applying to Stanford, MIT, Caltech, etc. These are my “stats” so far. How are my prospects? I admit that I spent too much time on academics rather than extracurricular activities so don’t have stellar items, but I would just like some feedback on my chances (to mentally prepare myself) as well as some pointers on ways to improve my prospects between now and this fall. Thank you very much for your time.

Academics
• SAT: 2330 (740 CR, 800 Math, 790 Writing)
• ACT: taking it next week, expecting 35-36 based on practice test scores
• National Merit Finalist HOPEFULLY (expected)
• Subject Tests: 800 Math 2 taken (800 Chemistry, 800 Physics, 800 Spanish expected this May)
• Rank: 5/1407

Course Load
• Sophomore AP Load (9-10 school, these are the only ones offered)
o AP Human Geo
o AP World Hist
o AP European Hist
o Calculus BC

(5s on these)

• Junior Load
o AP US Hist
o Statistics AP
o Physics C
o Chemistry AP
o English Lang AP
o Spanish Lang AP

• Senior Load
o Spanish Literature AP
o English Lit AP
o AP Government
o AP Macro
o AP Micro
o AP Biology
o AP Computer Science

Math/Science, Online/College Courses
• Texas Math League perfect score
• Harvard CS50 edX
• HTML Microsoft edX course
• X-series Data Management BerkleyX
• X-Series Python IIT BombayX
• Differential Equations
• Linear Algebra Collin College
• Multivariable Calc Collin College
• Differential Equations Collin College
• HTML5 Design Udacity (Google)
Perhaps study Euclid’s “Elements” and use that experience for college essays

Extracurricular Activities
• Violin since 6th grade
o Exemplary in Solo and Ensemble competition
o 1st in DMTA violin competition
o Raag Rhythm—fusion orchestra, raised $90,000
o Top orchestra in 10th grade won 2nd best school string orchestra in Texas (beat out senior high schools)

• Carnatic (Indian Classical) Music since 2nd grade

• Volunteering
o Member of NTYHS— Outstanding Member award due to participation at Summer Meals Program and Going Green -
o PVSA Bronze two years in a row
o Volunteered for over 200 hours for City of Plano
 Community Garden, Plano Libraries
o Recognition Awards for Library volunteer service (twice)

• Spanish Club 4 years
o Introduced National Spanish Exam in 10th grade
o Gold level award on NSE level 3
o 1st Civilization, 4th Grammar PASF competition

• Whiz Quiz
o Won 1st District Tournament
o HOPEFULLY place in nationals in Chicago this summer

• Habitat for Humanity
• NHS
• HAS Summer Program (NASA Aerospace Scholars Program)

Leadership
• Co-Chair for Going Green program August 2015 through NTYHS organization
• Teen Street Team: student advisory board in Plano Public Libraries, makes promotional videos
• Spanish Club National Spanish Exam Chairperson 10th grade
• Spanish Club junior officer 11th grade
• **Try to get Sam Johnson Internship!!!

2

Like any “Chance Me”, my responses are completely based on the information you’ve given me, and (not being an actual admissions officer) probably aren’t extremely accurate. Because I don’t have your race, income, high school rank (although I would assume it’s pretty good), your essays, and your teacher recommendations, I pretty much have no idea how good of a chance you have of getting in. Anyways, here’s what I can predict will happen.

Harvard: Waitlist
Princeton: Reject (they get quite a lot of STEM applicants, which seems to be what you’re interested in. You don’t really have anything stellar to “wow!” them with. I’d suggest getting deeply involved in research.)
Yale: Waitlist
Brown: Waitlist (You’re rather competitive for Brown, but like Princeton, they get a lot of STEM applicants)
Cornell: Waitlist (See Brown)
Dartmouth: Accept (Dartmouth doesn’t get all too many STEM applicants, so a competitive applicant with strong teacher recommendations, great extracurriculars, and fantastic essays should be able to get accepted or at least waitlisted)
Columbia: Reject
UPenn: Waitlist
Stanford: Reject

3

@AmbitiousWalrus

Seems pretty accurate, but if I may add something…
it could also depend on if you have any “hooks”?
Yale took me and I only had a 32 on my ACT, and you seem a lot more interesting than me.
It also depends on if they offer you an interview, if so, try to make it a great one!

4

Thank you for the feedback. I am rank 5/1407 and an Asian male (yikes). I will try to get research over the summer. I honestly don’t think I’ll make Ivies as I did not take enough initiative to do anything great in middle or early high school. I will try my luck with CMU and UChicago.

5

I actually think that your extracurriculars are good, but (please don’t take offense, I am not trying to be rude at all!!) you seem to come across as very, very typical Asian male. I think you should maybe focus a lot on conveying an authentic voice in your essays. Look up rejectedlion2016 's experience and stats. I think you seem somewhat similar, so make sure to have some match and safety schools!

6

Hello - You certainly have the ‘numbers’ to be admitted nearly anywhere. However the big problem with your application is:

  1. From an over-represented part of TX (Plano)
  2. ORM
  3. ECs look like a laundry list like every other Asian

A lot of the kids who get into very prestigious schools have some sort of theme that makes it easier for the AO to connect the dots. When looking at your stats above, I get very confused.

What do you want to be when you grow up? That is the question you need to answer and portray in your applications.

7

I think think some of the responses are a bit too harsh. Not everyone has already completed Differential Equations by 11th grade. (Why did you put it twice, though - was it online and in person?) What is your intended major? I am extrapolating that it is Math or CS for my answers below.

A big decision for you will be where you apply EA or ED.

Totally agree with sgopal2 on

That will be critical. You will have to make it clear that you are not just going through the motions on a lot of things. That there is something you are passionate for. This is why the essay is crucial.

Related to that, if possible, you really need to try your hand at research of some sort, perhaps this summer. I think that would do more for your app than the internship with the politician you are seeking. (In fact, I really don’t like the political internship if your angle is as a STEM applicant, but that is just my personal opinion.) If not research, then try to do something/build something with all these tools you have amassed that ties it all together.

On schools:

Caltech/MIT - maybe? That is usually the most you can say for almost anyone. The essays will be critical. Research would help a lot too. They are really going to be looking for that love of math/science/engineering that can carry you through the incredibly tough curriculum.

Harvard, Yale, Stanford - not sure. It seems like a matter of catching their eye because they have so many strong applicants. I am sure you have a shot, but it could be affected by things as random as whether there is already a recruited athlete coming from your school etc.

Princeton - I could see applying EA working out if you have a good narrative by then. They are tremendous in math and you are tremendous in math.

Brown - not sure. They are strong in math, so could be a nice fit.

Columbia, UPenn, Dartmouth - not sure.

Cornell - better odds than the schools above, and you could get a tremendous education there. They can definitely challenge you.

Rice could be a nice in-state option, but be sure to show interest.

CMU - could be a nice fit. Another one where showing interest is key.

Georgia Tech could be a good fit as well. Be sure to apply early enough to be considered for scholarships.

Duke, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan - also worth checking out.

8

Thank you all for the feedback. I am in the process of securing a research opportunity (maybe 2?) over the summer. Of course, there is a huge margin of error in terms of college apps, but we’ll never know unless we apply. :slight_smile: