Hey guys! I’m entering my junior year of HS and want some advice for improving my chances of admittance to a top engineering school! I’m especially interested in Environmental Engineering.
GPA: 3.9 UW (idk W, school doesn’t rank)
APs: Stat (5), Calc BC, Physics 1, English Lang, CompSci
Senior Year: AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Econ, AP Lit, AP French Lang, Multivariable Calculus, Independent Research(taken since 9th grade)
SAT: will be taking in December (aiming for 1550+ 800 M 750+ R/W) will be taking essay
SAT 2 Math Level 2: taking October (aiming for 800)
SAT 2 Physics: taking May/June 2017 (aiming for 800) (ik its easier said than done to get multiple 800s but i am doing loads of practice n prep)
Academic Honors: AP Scholar with Distinction (hopefully), National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Mathletes Team, Regional Math Fair Silver Medalist
ECs: (assuming I continue my ECs until 12th grade)
XC (9-12): Varsity, Captain, Scholar-Athlete, Team MVP, All-Conference, All-County, Nike XC Camp & Princeton XC Camp
Winter Track (9-12): Varsity, Captain, Scholar-Athlete, Team MVP, All-Conference
Spring Track (9-12): Varsity, Captain, Scholar-Athlete, Team MVP, Coaches Award, All-County
JOs XC (9-12): 2x Regional Finalist, Will be able to qualify Nationals this year
JOs Track (9, 11-12): 1x Regional Finalist, 1x National Qualifier, Will be able to qualify for Nationals this year
Research (10-12): Started & led Env’t Eng research project @ MIT – Published, Patent, Siemens Semifinalist, ISEF Finalist
Debate (9-12): Officer, 5x Trophy Winner 1x Plaque Winner, 2x State Qualifier (1x Octafinalist)
Volunteer Work (9-12): Will have accumulated 500 hours volunteering at local hospital in the ER by senior year
Sanskrit (9-12): Scholar, Received UPenn Certificate for being a Sanskrit Scholar, Teach & attend local Sanskrit classes
Nature Travels (9-12): Started and led my family’s nature travels to places like Acadia National Park, Cape Cod National Seashore, & Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (I love the env’t cuz nature can be absolutely beautiful!)
Rec letters:
Likely from either my AP Calc BC teacher or AP Physics 1 teacher & either French teacher or Debate teacher
Also getting a rec letter from my track coach (Cornell alum) which will be a 11/10 (he’s known me since I was 3, always calls me dedicated, hardworking, motivated, etc., even volunteered to write it for me during a track practice my freshman year)
Also getting a rec letter from my mentor at my research lab (should be good esp cuz he’s a fellow Env Eng too)
Essays:
Idk yet lol haven’t written them yet
I’m an Asian male from NY (likely applying to CALS ED) that goes to a very good public school (sends ~10 kids to Cornell on average per year) with a family income of ~$200,00 a year (but 2 other siblings go to really good private schools w/ no financial aid so my parents really need some financial aid for me)
I will likely also apply to some SUNYs.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Especially for SAT/SAT ll studying!