<p>ssjosh135 – S + Caltech can never be “low reaches” unless the applicant is exceedingly strong and has URM status!!!
Hi arcademic!</p>
<p>I have nearly nothing to do, and I haven’t chanced anyone in a while (I used to do alot during the summer), so I’m more than happy to chance you right now. </p>
<p>Before I start, I’m lol-ling at your “ORM” status. Funny, but it’s less true than you actually think. </p>
<p>To start out, I’ll look at your UW GPA. At a 3.80, it’s not low (contrary to others’ opinions) but it’s not outstanding. However, what backs this up is your rigorous curriculum. If you have any extenuating circumstances that might have adversely affected your performance in school (e.g. parents divorce or you had to undergo surgery), have your GC mention it in her/his rec. </p>
<p>Other than that, you’re obviously a very strong test-taker. Your SAT composite - highest in one sitting - of 2340 is very strong, and your SAT Subjects are nothing to scoff at. You will also probably recieve college credit for most of the AP scores that you’ve recieved so far. </p>
<p>Moving on: Your ECs are also very strong, and you demonstrate a solid interest in the Sciences. You might not demonstrate leadership in your ECs, but you seem to have been active enough to provide a good description of some of the activities you’ve been a part of. That’s good. It shows that you didn’t just show up for the EC just so that you could plop in into your app, as some losers do. The key thing here is to demonstrate passion in your essays. If you truly enjoy what you did, then I’m pretty sure you won’t have a problem with this. </p>
<p>However, a note about one of your ECs:
If anything, please don’t put the above EC on your app … it makes you look like a superficial airhead. You have an impressive app … don’t ruin it!</p>
<p>Your volunteering record is also pretty good. </p>
<p>Overall, you’re a very high-performing and an extremely active student. You should be proud of yourself. (Just tell yourself this: Bs don’t kill you … they make you stronger!) </p>
<p>Chances:
Stanford ED: Reach (it’s a reach for everyone)</p>
<p>
NOTE: Stanford has an SCEA policy. Make sure that nothing conflicts with their admission plan by reading this site carefully: [Restrictive</a> Early Action : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/application/decision_process/restrictive.html]Restrictive”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/application/decision_process/restrictive.html). If it does conflict, you must either move your Stanford app into the RD pool or withdraw either your Stanford app or your EA apps. I did this because I noticed that you had quite a few EA schools. </p>
<p>Caltech EA: Reach (it is for everyone, but your chances could be improved with AMC/AIME supplemental test scores)
UPenn EA: Reach (heck it’s an Ivy)
WUSTL EA: Match
UCLA: Safety match (I don’t want to call it a safety because it’s such a great school)
UCB: Safety match
Univ of Washington: Safety
UCSD: Safety
USC: Match
UCI: In
</p>
<p>Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have any more ?s
-ab2013</p>