I am a rising senior, I love chemistry but am not sure where I should apply this year. I am applying to UC berkeley, MIT, and a few ivies, but I also need a few other saftey and “level” schools, since these are very high reaches.
Standardized Tests:
SAT: 2320 (720 R, 800 M, 800 W)
SAT II: Chemistry: 800 Math 2: 790
AP tests: All 5’s Spanish, WHAP, Human Geography, Psychology, APUSH, Chem, and English language
Major Extracurriculars:
Band: Marching band is 2nd in the state of Texas, I am a UIL All-State soloist, Band section leader, and band officer.
Boy scouts: I am an Eagle scout, continue to help my troop out as a JASM (Junior Assistant Scoutmaster), was a senior patrol leader.
NHS: President
Science National honor society: Secretary
Captain of science olympiad at my school
Table tennis: North Texas regional champion (2013)
Other clubs: Spanish honor society and HOSA (Health club)
Work experience:
Research assistant at UT southwestern structural biology lab and conducted independent chemistry research.
Community Service: 800 total hours
150+ hours of volunteering/shadowing at local hospital
50 hours teaching young children
150 hours through Boy scouting
300+ external hours through band/church events
@givemethtcheese I have no idea how weighted GPA works, but a majority of my classes have been honors/AP and I have gotten high A’s. @ClarinetDad16 I have visited both schools and will probably apply to UT. I should have national merit, but the cutoffs for Texas will be available later.
Ok. Thanks for the clarification. Usually AP courses are weighted on a 5 point scale and honors classes are on a 4.5 scale.If you are looking to apply as a chem major, UT Austin’s is very good, as well as Northwestern’s.
ur stats are looking good, ill say UC Berkeley is a almost guanreteed with your high stats - very good GPA both unweighted and weighted… good amount of work hours, strong extracurriculars… but of course, to get into Ivies, your Essay must be outstanding -
Your statistics are good for UCB, but it’s all over if you only talk about numbers. UCB (like the other UCs) has a “hurry up” rule that compels people to graduate in 4 years instead of sitting on their hands for 5 or 6.
Discuss your interest in chemistry (“I’d like to major in chemistry”), talk about any research projects, and look up faculty you’re interested in working with. Say that you’re focused and will finish in time (4 years). Indicate any interest in graduate school. Pre-med? Don’t say so…very cliche and boring.