| Chance for 2017?
While the seniors sort out where they're headed, intel is needed for the next cycle. My S is a junior, will be applying for class of 2017. Can you give feedback on his chances?
Numbers -
3.8 uw/4.3 w
Took as challenging a courseload as possible - he took the honors or AP class in every instance if offered @ his large, competitive pub HS (3000 students)
34 ACT w/writing (36 math, 10 writing) - also took separate, State-required ACT (no writing) - also a 34
219 PSAT (taking course now to boost beyond 2200); SAT in June
Will have 4 APs for applications (Calc AB, Japanese, Eng. Lang, Psych; won't know results until July) - total of 10 @ graduation
Will have 3 SAT subj tests, incl. math and Japanese
EC's -
Cross country (2 yrs), Psychology Club (3 yrs), Vegetarian Club (co-leader 2 yrs), founded Game Design Club, Japanese Honor Society, National Merit (in progress), Neumann Scholarship for summer (2012) Japan trip, in 2 bands (alt/prog rock; guitar, keyboard & drums - writes own songs)
Intended major -
CS with a focus on game design, minor in math, Russian or Korean.
Relevant HS classes included rigorous math & science, AP CS (and CS 101 at local community college) art foundations, graphic design, drawing, digital media, game design
Intangibles -
Has been designing games since he was 11; currently writing a(nother) game in LiveCode, to be published/sold on the AppStore, playable in English and Japanese
Spending most of July in Japan (on scholarship); should have 1000+ users of his (free) game when he returns.
Will be student teaching game design (as a Sr.), founded Game Design Club - entering competition next year.
Doesn't want a tech-only school; wants to learn CS within the context of a seriously well-rounded, high-quality school.
Tentative first sentence of one of his essay questions, "A thousand people in Japan are playing my game on their iPhones"
Taught himself calculus (while in Pre-calc as a jr.) so that he could take the Calc AB AP and have it on his application, and so that he can take Calc 3 instead of BC his sr. year; will also take the BC test for max AP credit - but after applications are in.
He knows that he needs to hit the ball with his tests, esp. his SAT.
| 
I think that presenting himself well is going to be key, since it is probably his ECs/interests that are going to put him over the top at the most selective schools. Consider a resume--it doesn't sound like his activities lend themselves to a few boxes on the Common App--and consider an extra recommendation from someone who knows him well in an EC-related context.
