What Can I Do To Improve My Chances - Harvard, Yale, Stanford

Applying to College
1

Hi everyone! I am currently a sophomore in high school, and as this year is coming to an end, I would like to get a good idea of where I stand. What can I do to get more competitive for HYPS, and what colleges would my stats right now be competitive for? I am interested in biology and I also wanted to know about more opportunities for me in the Bay Area for this.

GPA: 3.92 (unweighted- my school doesn’t do weighted GPAs or ranks)
SAT: 2400 (going to have to take the new SAT)
SAT II: Biology (800), Chemistry (800)
AP: Biology (5) My school doesn’t allow you to take APs until your junior year so this was studied at ATDP

Extracurriculars: JV Badminton, History Club (Treasurer), Relay for Life (Team Captain), Color guard (Captain), Science Bowl
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community service: Founded a local seed lending library, volunteer work at community camps for youth over winter, spring, and summer break
Summer Activities: ATDP, volunteering
Awards: 2 time state finalist for National History Day, NMS (I qualified this year but it doesn’t count since I am still a sophomore)

State (if domestic applicant): CA
School Type: Public (competitive, top 100 in US)
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 150k

I took a molecular biology class at a community college. I am currently studying for the USABO, and I have been accepted for a summer internship in lab research.

Next year I will be applying to TASP and RSI…what can I do to be more competitive for these?

2

Do people like you? Honestly. Are you the kind of student that your teachers are going to miss when you leave their class? Are you helpful? Or stand-offish? Do you collaborate or do you bully people w/your knowledge and skills? Are you a jerk? Are you reflective enough to know? Do you make friends easily? If you can say YES to the positives, then that will go a long way.

and why do you need to take the new SAT?

3

you have to take the new SAT unless you are a current junior

4

I have not seen any sophomores more impressive than you, keep it up! you

5

Why do you say this? AFAIK, [Northwestern is the only top college on the record as not permitting the old SAT](Will Colleges Accept the Old SAT for Class of 2017 or 2018? 30+ Schools Interviewed) for students graduating high school in '18.

6

Look into Intel isef, Intel STS, and Siemens for research. If usabo doesn’t work out, try usamo, usapho or one of the other Olympiads. as an unhooked Asian male in California, unless you have stellar awards or leadership, it’s going to be a lottery game for top school admissions. Widen your net and pick a few things to REALLY excel at. Good luck!

7

bump

8

I would definitely suggest finding something that you are passionate about and really going for it. Academically, you are way ahead, but from your ECs and such I don’t see anything in particular that would make me really want you at my school. Try really pursuing a sport, job, internship, club, or something along those lines to make your app more well rounded. Good on you for being on top of it though, I wish I would have been!

9

The best gift you can give yourself is to recognize that no matter what your academic stats, ECs, etc that these schools will be long-shots. Don’t pin all your hopes and dreams, or your self-worth on getting into one of these schools. There are tons of amazing colleges and universities out there and if you continue on the path you have set, you will get into many of them. Keep doing what you are doing, stay involved with ECs that excite you, and enjoy HS.