What should I do to improve my application?

Applying to College
1

<p>I am currently a junior in high school and would like to know what can be done to increase my chances of acceptance at universities.</p>

<p>My university choice is Stanford, but I also plan to apply for some Ivy Leagues as well as UCLA and Berkeley. Planning to major in chemistry/environmental science/ or economics</p>

<p>School statistics: SoCal, relatively competitive public high school
Ethnicity: Asian</p>

<p>Current GPA: 4.0
APs taken
- Freshman year - Biology, Environmental Science
- Sophomore year - European History, Chemistry, Calculus AB
- Currently - Calculus BC, US History, Physics, Spanish IV
- Senior year (anticipated) - Statistics, Language, Psychology, Government, Economics, Spanish V
- 5s on all APs as of now
SAT I: I am planning to take it in November (hoping for 2300)
SAT II: Chemistry 800, planning to take Math II-C (hoping for 800) as well as Spanish, Physics, and US History (hoping for 800 in one of the three)</p>

<p>Extracuricculars
Model United Nations Secretary-General
Track & field
Geography Club President
Science Olympiad Captain
JSA Secretary
California Scholarship Federation
Piano - awards at SYMF and Bach Festival, Played concertos with concerto orchestras and chamber music with professionals. I plan on completing Advanced Level CM and on reaching Panel Auditions Recital
Volunteer - hospital
Research at CSU Fullerton on computational chemistry - I am planning on finishing a paper for next year's Siemens WEstinghouse/Intel competition (will this stand out enough for applications?)
Volunteer for Red Cross - China earthquake</p>

<p>Awards/accolades
Chemistry Olympiad - 3rd in region, 400$ scholarship
School award for outstanding students for 2 years
Accepted into Medical Leadership Forums and COSMOS program
Johns Hopkins CTY - taken online courses</p>

<p>Comments
I have heard that my ECs are too generic. Is research at a lab and writing a research paper going to improve that?
I currently have some pretty difficult teachers and will likely get a B this year - how much will that affect my application?
What are some recommended activities that will stand out and fit my major? I am still unsure of my majors (chemistry, environmental studies, economics, or something along those lines maybe) and I might double-major
What is a good summer program/activity to do before senior year?</p>

2

<p>thanks everyone for your comments, they are greatly appreciated (=</p>

3

<p>Time to cure some cancer. Didn't you hear it's an admission requirement now?</p>

<p>In all honesty, you're a very strong applicant. Maybe your ECs could use a little more focus, but you're still figuring out exactly where your interests lie. Just do whatever you're interested in; don't worry about how it will look to colleges. What they want is an accurate picture of you so they can determine whether you'd be happy and successful at their school.</p>

<p>And honestly, I don't think colleges necessarily expect you to have your whole life planned out at this point. In fact, most of those top schools, including Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, generally have students pick their major in their second year, if I remember correctly. Don't worry so much about what you'll major in and whether your ECs fit that. Just do what you enjoy; colleges understand that you need to experience a lot of things before you can decide what's best for you!</p>

<p>The only other thing I can think of to improve is to change your ethnicity... but I think you're looking for things that are possible, so scratch that.</p>

4

<p>thanks for the reply...so would it be best to just continue what I have been doing?</p>

5

<p>The Werg is right. You've got all the bases covered. The best thing to do now is to continue your level of academic achievement (no, a B won't hurt you) and stop worrying about what colleges' want. You need to pursue your <em>own</em> interests, not pursue what you think their interests are.</p>