member2008

TheAscendancy, thanks. I didn't mean to ask whether I should go out and say, "Sorry I didnt do any more ECs, but..." Rather, I could say, "My academics have been really important to me, plus check out some of these ECs..."

Consolation

What has been important to you about academics? Getting straight As in classes normally offered at your school, or exploring a field or fields of intellectual endeavor? Have you taken an independent study? Have you read outside your curriculum? Have you pursued knowledge in some way outside the bounds of high school?

I'm not saying that pure intellectual fire will get you in to HYP--in fact, in my experience they prefer the BMOC-with-great-grades type of kid to intellectuals. But if you don't have the ECs, it's probably you only way to go.

mikemac

Am I the only one that thinks this is a spoof? The school purportedly sends 2 or 3 kids each year to HYPS (even though most larger schools send 0), but instead of asking at the school what his chances are he goes to a bunch of strangers on a message board?

member2008

Ahhh, I am getting ripped apart, guys. Sorry if my posts were arrogant. But CC has a lot of knowledgeable posters, whereas my school has only the guidance counselor. I was just seeking honest advice

HighlandMom

If you had a day with NOTHING on your calendar, how would you spend that time?

Write about that. I'll bet what you have to say is more interesting than you think

Protagonizer

^That does sound like a pretty interesting essay topic.

Additionally, for any additional info, try to make sure that any mention of your GPA and academics is focused primarily on your earnest attempt to learn and understand the info, which is a much better reason than grade-grubbing, parents, etc.

SVMMom

Why would you think these stats would automatically get you into Princeton?

Our Valedictorian (out of 323) did not get in. (Last year's got into Harvard.) She had 4.0 UW and 4.53 W. 12 APs with all 5's. 2380 SAT. TONS of GREAT ECs, lots of leadership and still no Princeton.

With these top schools NO ONE has an automatic in!!!!

member2008

SVMMom, I don't think any of us are assuming I would get into Princeton. In fact, the closest anyone got was the second poster, who said I would have a good chance. Personally, I started this thread because I had serious doubts whether I had any chance. (Your valedictorian is a classic example).

Highland Mom and Protagonizer, thanks for the advice. I will keep that in mind...

Columbia_Student

Good chance does not mean automatic admission. Please don't jump to conclusion.

member2008

bump??????

nolagirl

Honestly, I think your resume sounds fine, and you shouldn't have any trouble getting in school. Regardless of whether your AP classes are actually harder than those at public schools*, you definitely need to avoid going around saying that. It borders on the edge of pretension.

*I, also, highly doubt that that's true. There are definitely some higher-caliber public schools out there, and I'm sure not all public school kids are condemned to a school life of mediocrity.

member2008

I'm not putting that on my app at all, I just said it to put it in context. But I know its true for our local area, though I know public schools in Seattle (like International School) are just as good. I was just trying to get across the fact that AP classes here are not a joke and require a lot of time.

seanchl

You're academic achievements are pretty intimidating, at least to me... i think you'd at least have a fair shot at HYP type schools. Although it seems like luck is a big factor with those schools...

What do you do for fun though :P?

smog

A challenge for you might be citizenship. What exactly is your immigration status? If a foreign citizen just residing here, most schools will include you in the larger international applicant pool.

member2008

Nah, I'm on a green card, an getting citizenship next year