I have an ACT score of 34.
ACT math and science 36. ACT english and reading 32.
US citizen, Resident of California (if that increase any of my chances…)
SAT Subject Tests:
Math 2: 800
Physics: 800
Chemistry: 800
IB Scores:(predicted score 40/42)
Math HL: 7
Physics HL: 7
Chemistry HL: 7
Psychology SL: 7
Spanish AB SL: 7
English SL: 5
(Going to take IB Further Math HL)
Written 2 research papers in math and physics respectively.
Have taken tons of online college physics courses like astrophysics, plasma physics etc.
NMQST Finalist
Scored 96.2% in high school and stood first.
Came in merit list of national math olympiad and science olympiad.
most likely major: physics
Member of astronomy club, member of student council, play the flute, play basketball for school, won science fair, received national level science fair prize, came 1st in high school, taught at school for underprivileged children, won city level astrophysics competition etc
Here is my opinion for Stanford application:
California resident: no factor
written 2 research papers: if done for a high school class; not much of a factor
: if published; very impressive
online college classes: could be helpful if grades and brief course content is included on application
intended major: no factor
national level science fair prize; impressive. National and regional science prizes weigh much more than local prizes
IMO you have as good of a chance as anyone. Your essay will probably be an important ingredient to the application. Good luck.
Your stats are very impressive. 34 clears the test score hurdle at both schools. Stanford appears to care less about scores than Caltech, judging by Caltech’s higher average scores. (Caltech’s SAT average is the highest in the country actually…)
Still, keep in mind that both schools reject a great number of highly impressive applicants, so i would warn against overconfidence. Definitely put your all into both apps, but choose a couple of lower reaches, a couple of matches and at least one safety also. Make sure you like and can afford them all.
I’m also applying to Caltech this January! How do you know that you’re a NMSQT finalist already?? I’m a semifinalist too… is that what you meant?
You definately have the potential but a few questions:
- Where did you publish? If it was just for science fair, then publications don’t matter as much as a journal
- What national science fair prize did you win? ISEF? Google Science Fair?
- How formal were the online classes? Do they give continuing credit, or are they coursera-style classes (can you send a transcript to a school or not)?
- What’s your GPA?
I think you have a good shot, especially if you published/did well at science fairs. Your scores look good, and so do your extracurriculars.
Want to chance back? I’m also planning on applying to Stanford/Caltech.