<p>I’m going to disagree with the other parents here–I don’t think you drop ANY of the ECs. Frankly, I think that’s ridiculous! I might agree that even a year ago, it would have made sense to drop a couple and focus on a few, e.g., by writing up your research and submitting it as an Intel project. (That would still be a good idea, if you can do it.) But at this point, you’ve done what you’ve done, and IMO should list everything. It’s good that you do have some awards–that will help. </p>
<p>Here’s the deal, OP. I’m not an adcom, but I like to think I have some idea of how the system works. </p>
<p>Lots of very smart kids apply to the top schools. In going through the applications, it’s obvious to all of those concerned that the vast majority can do the work. So, how does a H or P choose which kids to admit?</p>
<p>They pick the kids who can add something to the class that others can’t. As the adcom reads your file, you want him/her to think “If I don’t admit this kid, there’s not going to be anyone in the class like him/her.” You also want the person to LIKE you. </p>
<p>So, when you write your essays, think of what makes you unique. </p>
<p>The problem really isn’t that you’re Asian. The problem is that there are lots of other Asian-American kids applying to Harvard or Columbia who also excel in math and science and play the piano. WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM THEM?</p>
<p>You want to write about a topic that shows who you are and how you think and convinces the adcom that if he decides to admit another Asian girl who is just as good as you are in math and science, the class at H or P or whatever will be worse for it. </p>
<p>I’m not an adcom, but I can’t imagine thinking “Well…if I don’t admit this applicant who kept practicing piano even though her teacher told her she wasn’t particularly talented, I won’t get any other really hard workers in next year’s class.” </p>
<p>So, paraphrasing A Chorus Line dig down to the bottom of your soul and write an essay that you don’t think anyone else in the world could write.</p>
<p>Some people are unique–or close to it–by virtue of what they’ve accomplished. The Intel winner would be an example. YoYo Ma–who was already a well-known cellist when he went to Harvard–is another. Others are unique because they combine unusual interests–the ballerina who wants to major in engineering and has the math and science scores to support that aspiration or the boy from a farm in Idaho who is an aspiring opera singer and has already sung in professional companies. ( A long time ago, my kid had a friend who was one of the best high school debaters in the US who also won first place nationally in 4-H for the hog he raised. He got into Harvard. )</p>
<p>From what you’ve said, you aren’t like that–and that means you’re going to have to dig deeper into yourself and write an essay that is going to make an adcom feel like there’s just something a bit different about this girl. </p>
<p>However, there’s something else you need to do. You need to apply to schools where there aren’t as many Asian girls from Pennsylvania who excel in math and science applying. Most Asian American kids want to go to college on the coasts, especially in California and the Boston to DC corridor. Apply to colleges outside those areas. Also apply to colleges which have good math and science departments, but which aren’t MIT, Harvard, Princeton.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>