“My advice, don’t choose a school based on rankings. They’re pretty much useless.”
I generally agree with this. However once a kid or parent gets the idea that fit is prestige and prestige is based on rankings, it will be tough to dislodge that idea.
“And ps. Re the comment that it’s Missouri,”
Missouri is not California or New York or Texas when it comes to students with this kind of profile. As an example 204 kids from Missouri applied to Brown, while 5300 applied from CA and 3270 from NY. Similarly Princeton had 10 kids from MO in its class compared to 135 from CA and 153 from NY. The cutoff for NMSF is 216 for MO, 222 for CA, 223 for MA. It will help being from MO.
"You have as much chance as anybody else out there, meaning - not much. "
That’s just not true if the OP is accurate on the awards, Intel ISEF finalists and winners carry a lot of weight, they just do. The thing holding the OP back is being a male Asian for STEM, that’s the toughest demographic out there.
@nvb23
I will be very surprised if you are not accepted to Stanford and Ivy’s. This is one of the strongest resumes I have seen on CC. Your ECs are equally strong. Just write compelling essays integrating isef,research paper and link it to your interested major. Good luck!
Don’t miss that OP has only one school EC, MUN. And phrases that in terms of the title.
Yes, it’s a resume chock full of points. But top colleges looking for community can wonder what’s up with school peers. A slip in attitude in the app/supp or the wrong emphasis on “career interests,” (described as if applying for grad school,) can have the wrong effect.
At this time, when applying, it’s risky to assure anyone they have top chances or are a lock to uber reaches. There are many moving parts. I’d rather (jmho) see kids get advice on connecting the dots.
It’s not hierarchical: “best I’ve seen.” It’s holistic. And the essay is not where you reinforce the hierachical elements.
I’m seeing a lot of ego-stroking, so here’s a reality check on your chances. You have a very good chance of getting 100% rejection with that list. I’ve seen it many times. Even if you get in, can you afford to go to California or NYU if you get short-changed in financial aid? California, NYU, and most of these schools are not known for generous financial aid awards. Do your parents have a $250k wad of cash lying around for school? Are you OK with spending your first year at community college? If any of these questions are “no,” you need some target and safety schools on your list you’re serious about.
Yet, with a realistic acceptance rate of maybe 5% for the OP’s demographic at most of those, he still has a very good chance of being rejected everywhere.
The thing is that while acceptances to colleges with very low acceptance rates are pretty predictable in aggregate, they are not easily predictable for individuals.
So while I would not be surprised if the OP got multiple acceptances to his list of reaches, there is still a distinct chance that he could be rejected from all. I would still recommend that the OP add a couple more colleges which are strong in his major, that are less selective.
I would add a couple of places like Wisconsin, Ohio State, Rochester, or Boston U which would be matches/safeties. All have very well regarded undergraduate programs in the OP’s majors. I also think that they would be good alternatives if the OP ends up with no acceptances to any of his reaches, and doesn’t want to attend Drexel.
Based on your research isef etc, you may be 1-rated academic (on harvard scale but other schools will look at you the same way). This would put you in a pool where your odds are better than 50-50. As you are no doubt aware, this is an enviable position. If you write good aps you will have an excellent shot at all your schools. Show some humility- the kids who dont get in with your accomplishments are often those who come off as arrogant.
(found it from another thread)