What to do to improve my chances for Stanford, Duke, Harvard, and a few others?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi everyone, I am an incoming junior who is looking for some advice on what to do to improve my chances for these schools,
I am going into my junior year and I definitely know I am lacking a lot , but I want to fix it in time to get into these schools. For anyone who is thinking about the few others, I do mean all the Ivies and some top liberal arts colleges like Williams, Bowdoin, Pomona, and Claremont McKenna. Others would be Caltech and Johns Hopkins.
Here are some of my stats:
IB Student at my school, currently 17 out of 674, large public school in Metropolitan Area; This rank should be higher because of a difficult teacher we had that brought a some of the kids at the top downwards, I am guessing probably 8 now.
Hispanic, both of my parents from an extremely rural town in Mexico.
Currently have As and one B in English for the first semester of my sophomore year
Class List:
Freshman Year::
Foundations of Scientific Inquiry 1-2 IB (required IB class at my school); Strategies for IB Success (a debate class for discussing issues)/Health; Algebra 2 IB; English 1-2 IB; Intermediate Band; World History/Geography 1-2 IB; Jazz Ensemble 1-2 H; Spanish 1-2 IB, I am a Spanish speaker but I had always wanted to learn Spain Spanish which was offered as part of the curriculum; plus, it never hurts to learn more.
Sophomore year::
Biology 1-2 IB; Chemistry 1-2 IB; Pre-calculus IB; AP Statistics; World Government and Economic Systems IB; Spanish 3-4 IB; English 3-4 IB; Symphonic Band 1 H/ Symphonic Band (regular), there was a shift in the curriculum that made it only possible to take it first semester, basically the honors curriculum meant you would have to do Music Theory as well.
Junior year (MIGHT CHANGE)::
Biology 3-4 IB SL; Chemistry 3-4 SL; Math HL (online course at my school, hopefully I am able to deal with it and get an A); Anthropology IB SL; History 1-2 SL; Spanish 7-8 IB (SL); English 5-6 SL; Symphonic Band H

Extra-curricular:
9: Mustang Marching Band, Science Club, PCDS Project Excellence, a program that offered educational opportunities at a private school to help students who showed promise, the program did not continue into my sophomore year but I had participated since 4th grade.
10: Mustang Marching Band, Volunteer at the AZ Center for Nature Conservation, Robotics Club (Historian/Webmaster as well as head of our Canvassing Initiative), AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute member, STEP Expedition member ( both college preparatory programs)

Prospective ECs; I have put in work in developing a list of other ECs that might influence my CV in a strong way:

2

It seems like you are selecting colleges solely based on prestige. I can assure you that your strategy will not end well. Your extra-curriculars are mediocre for these schools. Without your test scores/GPA it will be hard to chance you. Set realistic expectations if you don’t want to be disappointed after college decisions are out.

3

Are you first generation? Are you low income? (I’m pretty sure I know where you go to HS based in the info you posted.) If so, you may qualify for Questbridge which would help quite a bit. Pomona, for example, as a lot of QB admits. I agree that “all the Ivies” is way too unfocused and prestige driven, But I do think you have potential to get in some top schools so I hope you come back for more info.

4

The OP is hispanic, which may trump his ECs. Need test scores and actual GPA.

5

@Lindagaf “The OP is hispanic, which may TRUMP his ECs” pun intended? either way LOL

Have you taken the PSAT yet?

6

Sadly for the noble word trump, its reputation has been sullied by a rather less noble human version of the name. And of course, many people are now aware of the name’s meaning in the UK.

OP, I think you mean Castilian Spanish. And your list is going to be long and not very safe if you only apply to the schools you mentioned. You can look at the CDS for every school you are interested in to get a sense of where yiu might fall in terms of average GPs and test scores. A school like CalTech wants extremely high everything. And while being hispanic helps, there is no guarantee of anything at any of the schools you are interested in. I advise you to,not fixate on the tippy top schools. You will need match and safety schools.

As your list stands now, what we often see with lists like this is a post in early April that is entitled “I didn’t get in anywhere, what do I do???!!!” The odds of getting into any of those schools are slim. And the strategy of thinking that if you apply to all of them, at least one will work out, never ends well. Look at Questbridge for sure. But don’t allow yourself to fall into the dream school trap. Looking at your user name, which I just noticed, it may be too late.

7

OP has not come back to CC since the first somewhat snarky response #1. I hope he/she comes back. @SJNccc called the OP’s EC’s “mediocre” but I think that’s too harsh, especially in context. I’m pretty sure OP attends a HS that is 93% URM students, at least 75% economically disadvantaged students. If OP comes back, I want to encourage him/her not only to explore Questbridge but also look into diversity fly-in programs at some of the schools, especially the LAC’s mentioned. And with more info about what the OP is looking for, I’m sure lots of CC members could offer helpful advice.

8

@Corinthian - I wouldn’t say OP is spectacular; his/her extra-curriculars are pretty average compared to those of his/her competition at these top schools.

@ivydreamx - That being said, you do have a shot at some of these schools. Try to find a few that you fit in well with and focus on those. Your URM status will help significantly. Definitely look into Questbridge/diversity programs.

9

A couple of comments about your initial remarks:

“I have put in work in developing a list of other ECs that might influence my CV in a strong way” – I think that admissions officers would prefer that you be engaged in ECs that show a passion about or interest in something, as well as the capacity for leadership, instead of just having ECs that you think might look good to an admissions officer. Get involved in ECs that you enjoy – don’t forget to have fun in high school! And, think quality over quantity with ECs.

“This rank should be higher because of a difficult teacher we had that brought a some of the kids at the top downwards, I am guessing probably 8 now.” If you are ever called upon to discuss or explain your class rank, DO NOT blame it on “a difficult teacher”; that kind of thing does not come across well at all.

Finally, don’t be deluded into thinking that Ivy League schools, or “top LACs,” or Caltech/JHU are the be-all and end-all of your college search. First, the Ivy League schools are very different from one another in their respective strengths and weaknesses, as well as “personalities.” Same with the “top LACs,” which are very different from the other schools that you mention. Perhaps you should try to identify exactly what it is you are interested in studying; if it is engineering or computer science, Caltech or JHU or other schools like them might be better for you than a “top LAC” or one of the Ivies. A little more research into different schools might be appropriate at this point. Also, test scores and GPA will be important.

10

@SJNccc EC’s are judged in context. An applicant from a privileged background will be expected to make the most of the opportunities afforded. By contrast, a first generation applicant from an urban school that is 93% minority students will be considered in that context. That’s why I think your evaluation is too harsh. Obviously scores will matter and are unknown now. And the OP needs to create a balanced list of colleges. But I thought the “mediocre” label of the EC’s was unnecessarily discouraging.

11

Hello, yes thank you, unfortunately, the post was submitted before I was able to finish it.

Here is the end of the details for my post:

Hi everyone, I am an incoming junior who is looking for some advice on what to do to improve my chances for these schools,
I am going into my junior year and I definitely know I am lacking a lot , but I want to fix it in time to get into these schools. For anyone who is thinking about the few others, I do mean all the Ivies and some top liberal arts colleges like Williams, Bowdoin, Pomona, and Claremont McKenna. Others would be Caltech and Johns Hopkins.
Here are some of my stats:
IB Student at my school, currently 17 out of 674, large public school in Metropolitan Area; This rank should be higher because of a difficult teacher we had that brought a some of the kids at the top downwards, I am guessing probably 8 now.
Hispanic, both of my parents from an extremely rural town in Mexico.
Currently have As and one B in English for the first semester of my sophomore year
Class List:
Freshman Year::
Foundations of Scientific Inquiry 1-2 IB (required IB class at my school); Strategies for IB Success (a debate class for discussing issues)/Health; Algebra 2 IB; English 1-2 IB; Intermediate Band; World History/Geography 1-2 IB; Jazz Ensemble 1-2 H; Spanish 1-2 IB, I am a Spanish speaker but I had always wanted to learn Spain Spanish which was offered as part of the curriculum; plus, it never hurts to learn more.
Sophomore year::
Biology 1-2 IB; Chemistry 1-2 IB; Pre-calculus IB; AP Statistics; World Government and Economic Systems IB; Spanish 3-4 IB; English 3-4 IB; Symphonic Band 1 H/ Symphonic Band (regular), there was a shift in the curriculum that made it only possible to take it first semester, basically the honors curriculum meant you would have to do Music Theory as well.
Junior year (MIGHT CHANGE)::
Biology 3-4 IB SL; Chemistry 3-4 SL; Math HL (online course at my school, hopefully I am able to deal with it and get an A); Anthropology IB SL; History 1-2 SL; Spanish 7-8 IB (SL); English 5-6 SL; Symphonic Band H

Extra-curricular:
9: Mustang Marching Band, Science Club, PCDS Project Excellence, a program that offered educational opportunities at a private school to help students who showed promise, the program did not continue into my sophomore year but I had participated since 4th grade.
10: Mustang Marching Band, Volunteer at the AZ Center for Nature Conservation (100+) hours, Robotics Club (Historian/Webmaster as well as head of our Canvassing Initiative), AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute member, STEP Expedition member ( both college preparatory programs). Also a member of the Interact Club (not much activity year round last year but hopefully that will change).

Prospective ECs; I have put in work in developing a list of other ECs that might influence my CV in a strong way:

-I am applying to be part of the Governor’s Youth Commission in my state, I have an interview coming up this month
-I will be part of the Conservation Team for the Phoenix Zoo and possibly a keeper assistant for the Reptile or Bird Keeper.
-I am also going to also apply to a leadership position in the Robotics Club at my school, I will probably be in charge of Funding Initiatives since that was my main focus last year.
-National Honors Society VP?-- Our school has decided that the best way of getting elections done will be by allowing all members to run for office. It used to be that the positions will go to Senior members, but our advisor had decided that anyone can apply and it will be through an application process.
I personally know her and she is one of my most favorite teachers at this school, so hopefully I can also persuade her to be the advisor for the College Advising Group at my school that I want to start, I usually know a lot more about college admissions and opportunities than my peers and I want to help them reach those opportunities.

  • This year I want to get out of my comfort zone and join a sports team, one of my friends suggested either tennis or golf which I have actually come to enjoy. The wrestling teacher tried to get me into wrestling last year but Marching Band intervenes with that
  • Also, there are upcoming applications for internships in research that I am planning to apply to

GPA: 3.96/4.84 (last I checked), can only go up from this right now
PSAT Score: 1290
Took three AP tests: AP American Gov (independent study-ish); AP Macro; AP Statistics
(I plan to take the SAT II subject exams this upcoming academic year for at least one of these AP exams)
I thought that they were relatively easy which worries me so I probably got 3s :frowning:
Hooks: None of my parents have ever even entered a high school education, my dad went to 8th grade and my mom went to 6th grade and is now trying to get her GED. I am the oldest in my family, my dad works in Construction since he was 19, before he worked in a slaughter house in Wisconsin. Another hook that I might use is my advocacy for animal rights, the multiple projects I did on animal conservation for my school and independently.

Summer Programs:
Summer before 9th grade:
Science Seminar 1 H- Summer course I was enlisted into by my teacher surprisingly, I am grateful for it because it was a good way to introduce me into all fields of science and into high school
Barrett Summer Scholars- 9th grade summer (took an Intro to healthcare careers class) (two weeks) Full Scholarship to attend
10th grade summer:
I applied and was accepted to WashU Summer Institues on a full scholarship, but decided to take the 8 week course at ASU for a Math-Science Honors Program instead to help me next year for Math HL IB.
I am also volunteering at the Zoo on weekends

Also, I actually did not mean all the Ivies; I have thought about it and realistically speaking, I would probably pick my state university over those I know that do not fit me.

These are the schools I would actually consider:
Harvard University – Premed or Public Health
Stanford University— Biochemical/ Engineering
Brown University-- PLME or Interdisciplinary
Cornell-- Public Health
Dartmouth-- Premed
Yale— Prelaw or Biological Anthropology
I will also apply to the other Ivies but after much thought I believe these are really the only ones I would actually go to, but you never know :slight_smile:

WARNING: This is not my complete list of schools, I am planning to apply to quest bridge this upcoming junior year and will use it to apply to the colleges on my list right now that are partnering colleges.

PSAT Score *(Sophomore year): 1290, I am an incoming junior and have been currently studying with the resources given to me.

thank you again for the feedback, i know my Ecs are low and mediocre @SJNccc , but that is why I am here, for advice
thank you for the feedback @Corinthian Where do I go to high school? :slight_smile: @Lindagaf , How would they necessarily ‘trump’ my Ecs?
@gandalf78 Thank you, and when I was mentioning the teacher, I did not mean it in a defensive way, I was able to get an A in the class but I was trying to show how my Class rank might have gone higher BECAUSE of some students at the top getting lower grades, either way, thank you for the other feedback
@Lindagaf , actually the Ivydreamx name reffers to the sports league itself, I always enjoyed watching the Harvard vs Yale football games and although I was stuck on the Ivy League Dream for a very long time, I have come to realize that I shouldn’t have my hopes sent on one set of schools and I could be happy at any others. Thank you for the ffedback
There was a time when I thought that liberal Arts Colleges were not worth it, but lately I have seen that I could excel there just as well as at a university, so I am also planning to apply to Pomona College, williams, Bowdoin, and Swarthmore.

12

@ivydreamx North? When you have enough posts to use private message, you can PM me if you want. I have a rising sophomore at Pomona, so I am fairly knowledgeable about Pomona and CMC. Also, Pomona has an excellent program for its QB students. http://www.questfriends.com/

13

You need to do more research on colleges–there is no such major as premed or prelaw at those schools. And I don’t get it, if you get into Yale you want to go to law school but if you get into Dartmouth you are suddenly called to be a doctor? (Are you aware that Yale actually has a medical school where you could presumably volunteer, shadow, get involved in medical research etc., but Dartmouth doesn’t?). I don’t get the sense that you know very much about these colleges or should be trying to advise other students about them.

You may get dinged in admissions for not doing a new foreign language. Taking a language you already speak isn’t particularly challenging.

I think your EC with the zoo is actually kind of unusual and I suspect your SAT score, based on your PSAT score, may be a bigger obstacle, but it’s something you have some time to address.

Good luck to you.

14

If you wish for my complete list of universities I PLAN to apply to, here it is:
_________________________
Stanford
Yale
Princeton These through Quest Bridge, hopefully
MIT
Caltech
Brown
Dartmouth _______________________________
Tulane University
University of Washington
Duke University
Johns Hopkins
USC – *(marching band)
ASU
U of A
University of Miami
UC San Diego
Georgetown University
University of Notre Dame
Harvard

15

Sounds like you will be a first generation to attend college, and you are hispanic. Both are hooks, and that is why I say those hooks might trump your ECs. If your grades and test scores are on target, you may well find yourself looking at accpetances to some of your schools. Good luck to you.

16

thank you

17

Not meaning to be harsh but I have to agree with others about your list.
Why did you pick those schools?

My son attends Caltech. He was admitted to several Ivies. Caltech is a tech, research-based school.

My point is that as a URM (like him), your SATs have to be high and your ECs need to have a passion. You can’t just do things because you think they will make you look good.

Take all of the public OOS schools off of your list. (Like the UCs, UW) off of your list.

They do not fund OOS students.

Research the schools in your library, talk to a guidance counselor then remake your list with some safeties.

18

I really don’t understand how/why you are picking these schools. It seems that you are interested in medicine, public health, biochemistry, engineering, and law all at once?? Most people would pick an area of interest, and then find schools that are good for that general area (ex: Engineering/CS → MIT, Caltech, Stanford, CMU, etc.), but you seem to be doing the opposite.

Please do more research on these universities and see what each offers. You might end up wasting hundreds of dollars on application fees with your current plan. I am saying this with your best interest in mind.

I wish you the best of luck with college admissions.

19

@SJNccc OP is planning on applying to many of these places through Questbridge match which is free, so there is no disincentive to rank the ones he/she thinks he/she might be interested in. A number of the schools on the list are QB partners (e.g., Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, CalTech, USC, Duke, Pomona, Williams, Bowdoin, Swarthmore). OP, have you checked out the Questbridge subforum? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/. I agree that OOS publics don’t belong on your list because they won’t give you significant FA. Try to do some diversity fly in programs and visits if you can manage. You should be good for Barrett and U of A (probably honors) and if you make it as a QB finalist I think you have a chance at a QB partner reach school. I do agree with @mathyone though that it is a weakness with your reach schools not to have a foreign language other than your heritage language.

20

How could I possibly mend this problem with my language? The only other language available at my school was French and I was more interested in Arabic and German . Is it possible to somehow ment this situation through independent study? Right now I am currently independently studying German and Italian, it is slow progress, but my plan is to expand that learning into college. @Corinthian