Hi, I’m a rising senior trying to figure out a list of realistic target & reach school. I’m interested in applied math, specifically actuarial science, and possibly engineering. My number one choice is Columbia. I go to a well-regarded public school in Los Angeles county. I’m a Caucasian male from a middle-class family. Also, any general advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
• Unweighted GPA: 3.95/4.0
• Weighted GPA: 4.3
• Class rank: 9/947 (as of the end of jr year)
Freshman Classes:
H English: A/A
H Algebra 2: A/A
H Biology: A/A
French 1: A/B
Drawing (Visual Art requirement): A/A
Soccer: A/A
Health (taken summer going into freshman yr): A
Sophomore Classes:
AP World History: A/A
H English: A/B
H Pre-calculus: A/A
French 2: A/A
H Chemistry: A/A
Computers (1sem): A
Student Council (1sem): A
Soccer: A
Filmmaking: A (taken summer going into sophomore yr)
Food Nutrition: A (taken summer going into sophomore yr)
Junior Classes:
AP English Language: A/A
AP Statistics: A/A
AP Calculus BC: A/A
AP Physics: A/A
AP US History: A/A
French 3: A/A
Summer school going into senior yr: Community College English Class (equivalent to AP Literature): A
Senior Classes (planned)
Calculus 3
AP Macro Econ.
AP Computer Science
AP European History
AP Human Geo.
Physics C (taking after school at local CC)
Linear Algebra (taking after school at local CC)
*My school lets us get out early senior year so I will finish classes at 12:30pm. Taking the two college courses at night during alternating days in the fall semester.
PSAT (jr. year): 1440
Combined SAT (2016 new score): 1480
• SAT Math: 800
•SAT Reading Writing: 680
(Planning on retaking the SAT to improve writing score)
SAT Subject Tests
• SAT II Math II: 780
• SAT II Physics: 750
AP Subject Tests
• AP Calculus BC: 5
• AP Physics B: 4
• AP Statistics: 5
• AP US History: 4
• AP World History: 5
• AP English Language: 3
High School ECs: I probably spend an average of 2hrs/week for each of the 4 clubs
• Physics Club (11-12th grade): VP in 11th, will be President senior yr
• Math Club (10th-12th): will be co-President senior yr
• National Honors Society (10th-12th): Community service events coordinator 10th; will be President senior yr
• Sankara Eye Foundation: (9th-12th): will be President senior yr.
Other ECs
• I work as a part-time waiter at a local restaurant (10-12th grade school yr + summers): approx. 20hrs/week
• Currently interning at an engineering firm in the electrical engineering shop (summer going into senior yr): 20hrs/week (8weeks total)
I would say my biggest weakness is probably English. I didn’t do well on the AP test or the SAT. I’m a pretty good writer and do well on papers & in class, but for some reason I run out of time and don’t score well on standardized tests.
I took the community college English class over summer to fulfill senior year English credit so that I could leave school early and take Linear Algebra & Physics C at night (not offered at my HS).