Yo Chance Dis' Indian Kid!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Please don't flame me for the title. It got your attention didn't it?</p>

<p>Information:</p>

<p>Eth: Indian
Sex: Male
State: NJ
Grad Year: 2009
Major: Biomedical Engineering (probably w/ premed focus)
School: Very Competitive (I am submerged in a sea of Asian nerds daily...it's awful)
Courseload: Counselor has told me she will indicate "most rigorous" on app.
Grading System: (frosh/soph) A- = 90-95%; A = 95%+ :(
(junior/senior) A - = 90-92%; A = 93%+ :)
*GPA is a combo of the two scales so kinda skewed</p>

<p>*Frosh/Soph/Junior GPA: *</p>

<ul>
<li>UW - 3.82; W - 4.16</li>
</ul>

<p>Soph/Junior GPA:</p>

<ul>
<li>UW - 3.84; W - 4.28</li>
</ul>

<p>GPA Summary:</p>

<ul>
<li>A mixture of A’s and A-‘s with two career B+’s (one in AP English and one in Alg II Honors (the most horrendous teacher I have ever had, end of story)). My GPA, however, is still relatively competitive in my school, thankfully.<br></li>
</ul>

<p>Rank:</p>

<ul>
<li>School doesn't submit rank to colleges. Pretty sure, however, that I’m in the top 5% of ~700 students.</li>
</ul>

<p>AP's (Total of 11):</p>

<ul>
<li>Physics B (4)</li>
<li>Chemistry (5)</li>
<li>Calculus BC (5)</li>
<li>English Language and Composition (4)</li>
<li>Computer Science A (4)</li>
<li>Biology (next year)</li>
<li>Art History (next year, fine art requirement :P)</li>
<li>Economics (next year)</li>
<li>Statistics (next year)</li>
<li>English Literature (next year)</li>
<li>Computer Science AB (next year)</li>
</ul>

<p>*All other courses = Honors (except 2 yrs of Foreign Lang, PE, and 2 yrs of computer-related electives)</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT: M - 800; CR - 740; W - 800; T - 2340 (1540)
SAT IIs: Chem – 800; Math II – 800; Possibly one more in October</p>

<p>Recs:
Counselor - Awesome: I had an interview with her and she had some flattering comments about my personality = good sign?
Teachers - One good from Eng more about personality (not the highest eng grade in class unfortunately (B+), but it is considered one of our school's toughest classes). One likely awesome rec from AP Chem teacher.
Supplemental - Possibly JSA advisor (who is very fond of me). Definitely prof from Rutgers who was my research mentor.</p>

<p>EC's:</p>

<p>NJ Science League
- Partipant 10th
- Competitive Testing in Chem I
- Qualifying Test followed by Regional Test each month from Jan. - Apr.
- Qualified last year in Chem I, but not in Chem II this year </p>

<p>NJ Chemistry Olympics
- Competition in chemistry entered in year of AP Chem (11th)
- Club meets every week from Jan. to competition day in May
- Participated in Research Competition</p>

<p>Medical Careers Club
- Member 10th - 11th
- 12th Officer</p>

<p>Science Competitor's Club
- Member 10th - 11th
- Officer 11th; Co-Prez 12th
- Going to be running NJ Chemistry Olympiad team next year.</p>

<p>Junior Statesmen of America
- Member 9th - 10th
- Club Officer 11th and 12th (I write our weekly resolutions, occasionally moderate debates, and speak frequently)
- New Jersey Region Cabinet Member 11th (write debates on state level for regional conventions)
- Possibly Mid-Atlantic Regional Cabinet Member 12th
- Significant involvement in politics/oratory = my other passion besides science. </p>

<p>March of Dimes
- Member 10th - 12th
- Volunteer hours and fundraising
- Tedious but rewarding process = soliciting funds; selling tickets; organizing large-scale cultural show. </p>

<p>Genetics Research
- Summer of 2007 and 2008
- 8 hrs/day, 5 days/wk for ~6-8 wks
- Research conducted with drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies); focused on determining the use of RNAi in restricting cancerous overgrowth caused by genetic mutations.
- Possibly working on a paper this summer with another member of the lab.<br>
- Favorite activity by far.</p>

<p>Piano
- 5 yrs
- Non-competitive Hobby</p>

<p>Community Service
- ~ 300 hrs
- Local hospital (oncology), senior center, and March of Dimes</p>

<p>Rec Tennis
- 8 yrs
- Summer camp in summer of 2005 and 2006 at local club
- Non-competitive hobby </p>

<p>Robert Wood Johnson Mini-Medical Program
- Participated in a several week long program at RWJ Medical School consisting of 2 hr Wednesday seminars to talk w/ doctors, students, etc. Nothing big, but it's demonstrated interest right?</p>

<p>Leadership Summary:</p>

<ul>
<li>Current: JSA (Chapter and State), Science Competitor's Club</li>
<li>Next Year: JSA (Chapter and Region (?)), Science Competitor's Club (Prez), Med Careers (Officer). </li>
</ul>

<p>Honors, Recognitions, Awards (Kinda Weak, Not Really Sure?):</p>

<p>NJ Science League
- Recognition in 10th grade for regional competition
- Didn't qualify for regionals 11th in Chem II; only 4 out of 30-40 students make it and only the best of the best try out. Plus I didn't get a chance to study :(.</p>

<p>Commendation from Governor/NJ State Legislature
- For our entire chapter which set up a March of Dimes fundraiser that raised thousands of $'s.</p>

<p>JSA Best Speaker Awards
- Several in recognition of various debate performances.</p>

<p>National Latin Exam
- Silver Medal in 9th; Gold Medal in 10th; Gold Medal 11th</p>

<p>National Honors Society/National Latin Honors Society
- 11th </p>

<p>Predicted National Merit Semifinalist
- PSAT: 226</p>

<p>AP Scholar w/ Distinction
- Preceding College Apps. </p>

<p>NJ Chemistry Olympiad
- Didn’t make semifinalist but scored high on the regional test. </p>

<p>NJ Chemistry Olympics
- Silver Medal at NJ State Level for performing experiments related to environmental chemistry, writing a lengthy report, and presenting the findings (two-person team though, and forgive my lack of modesty, it felt more like a one-man job).</p>

<p>Research-Related
- Possibly some recognition related to my research (a name in a report perhaps). Dunno when it might happen though. I got started with this a little late unfortunately (summer preceding junior year). </p>

<p>*My AP Chem teacher is going to mention all the chem-related achievements/activities in his rec. </p>

<p>Chances For:</p>

<ul>
<li>JHU (Biomed Program (separate application and very competitive), ED and RD)</li>
<li>UPenn (Also Considering ED and RD)</li>
<li>Cornell (Also ED and RD…lol)</li>
<li>Duke </li>
<li>Carnegie Mellon</li>
<li>UMich </li>
<li>Boston University </li>
<li>NYU (applying Chemistry here)</li>
<li>Penn State </li>
<li>Rutgers (Safety... hopefully with full tuition/room/board as well :) )</li>
</ul>

<p>My college choices are rather volatile at the moment, which is why I would like chances for both ED and RD for three of them. Also, since I want to approach the situation strategically, I was wondering which of the three would be best to apply to ED for Biomedical Engineering/Premed. Which choice would be wisest? I know Cornell and JHU are reputed for their intense academic rigor (something I’m not sure I would be able to endure), but UPenn is far more difficult to get into. I want my choice to be the right balance between reputation, ‘atmosphere’, and selectivity. I have visited JHU/UPenn (loved both) and plan on visiting Cornell soon. Thanks for reading all of this!</p>

2

<p>I think you have a great shot at all. Your ECs, GPA, and SATs are all stellar. I'd be surprised if you didn't get into most if not all those schools.</p>

<p>In terms of where you want to apply ED, it's really up to you. You have a great shot at all, so don't really worry about getting in. Just make sure you decide on which location (Ithaca vs Baltimore vs Philly= very different) and school you fit best at.</p>

3

<p>Hey man, me and you are like the same person haha: Indian, same scores, same career choice, same GPA, lol that's sort of cool </p>

<p>But chances... I say aim even higher!</p>

4

<p>wow thanks...I honestly didn't think my chances were that good! In terms of location, UPenn might be best (it's 30 minutes from where I am and, having lived in NY 10+ yrs, I'm used to an urban lifestyle). I liked JHU a lot, but seeing as their BME program is #1 in the country, I'm just not so sure I'd get in. I've heard Cornell is cold and somewhat lonely (rather removed from any major city), but I haven't visited it yet and I wouldn't want to pass any hasty judgments. Thanks for the replies!</p>

<p>ragstoriches: I'm sure they're a lot of Indians with similar aspirations/achievements (I live in NJ so this is more of a fact from my standpoint). My highest aim is JHU though (can't aim higher than #1 anyway lol). In any case, good luck to you and thanks for the reply!</p>

5

<p>I'll more than happy to chance you ... but can you chance me as well?
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/538677-please-chance-me-i-d-really-really-appreciate.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/538677-please-chance-me-i-d-really-really-appreciate.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Even with your skewed grading scale, a 3.83 UW GPA isn't bad at all. It's good, but not the best, but if your counselor explains your situation, you should be okay. Your SATs are also impressive; there's no need to take another SAT Subject Test -- save that money -- you won't need to spend any more blood money on College Board than you've already done in your entire life. Your courseload is also very challenging, so that should help compensate for your "low" GPA. Your ECs are great, and your honors and awards are not weak at all. You're fine. </p>

<p>Chances:
- JHU - match
- UPenn - match
- Cornell - safety match
- Carnegie Mellon - safety
- UMich OOS - match + honors program
- Boston U - safety + match for Trustee (full-ride) scholarship
- NYU - safety + maybe some merit scholarship
- Penn State OOS - safety + at least some merit scholarship
- Rutgers - safety + low reach/match for full ride</p>

<p>You're a smart kid. If you don't get into all of these schools, I'll shoot myself. Good luck! (You won't really need it ... I do LOL)</p>

6

<p>Wow thx; I think you're right about the GPA (hopefully won't bite) and I hope you're right about the ECs/Awards/Honors stuff. Thanks again for the reply.</p>

7

<p>okay, bump it up again...</p>

8

<p>btw, could you plz chance me too.. its called 'the answer to the meaning of life!'&lt;/p>

<ul>
<li>JHU (Biomed Program-reach</li>
<li>UPenn -reach</li>
<li>Cornell-low reach</li>
<li>Duke-low reach</li>
<li>Carnegie Mellon-high match</li>
<li>UMich-match</li>
<li>Boston University- not sure</li>
<li>NYU-safety</li>
<li>Penn State-super safety</li>
<li>Rutgers -not sure</li>
</ul>

9

<p>Thanks for the reply.</p>

10

<p>alright bump it up again.</p>

11

<p>I'd be surprised if you didn't get into all those schools with your great SAT scores and ECs! You may want to consider applying to more Ivy Leagues because I personally think you have a shot.</p>

12

<p>sounds good thx!</p>

13

<p>okay, bump again i guess</p>

14

<p>alright bump again</p>

15

<p>and another bump</p>

16

<p>shameless bump</p>

17

<p>some more responses plz!</p>

18

<p>someone plz! I'd like a few more opinions.</p>

19

<p>You're in good shape. Obviously JHU, Cornell, UPenn and Duke are the most difficult, but your extracurriculars and test scores (off the charts!) will work in your favor. Often times high test scores help give legitimacy to students who are in really competitive academic environments. Regardless of your grades, your SAT scores are incredible.</p>

<p>Have you considered applying to JHU not as premed and trying to transfer into the program? I don't know much about that possibility, but I know the premed program is astronomically harder to get into than any other programs Johns Hopkins offers. </p>

<p>Overall, I'd say your chances at your reach schools are between 50 and 75 percent and your chances at the others are awfully close to 100. Best of luck and thanks for replying to my post too!</p>

20

<p>Analysis:
- John's Hopkins: light reach
- U-Penn: reach
- Cornell: high match
- Duke: high match
- Carnegie Mellon: match
- Michigan: match
- Boston U: low match/safety
- NYU: safety
- Penn State: safety
- Rutgers: low match/safety</p>

<p>Your application, I think, is pretty much rock solid. Your ec's are legit, your scores are very good, and your GPA is fairly decent. Clean it up a bit with some solid essays and letters, and you should be good.</p>