chances of me getting in SCEA?

HeWhoDreams · 04-18-2008, 05:44 PM

Quick Overview
An international student applying for Stanford scea
Our school sents about 40% of the graduating class to HYPMSC
Planning career in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
'Fluent' in 6 different computer languages
Deeply committed for computer science researches
Tennis player for 9 years, and also has a hobby for film editting in spare time

Academics
SAT reasoning: CR 750 / M 800 / W 750
SAT subject: Math IIC 800 / Chemistry 800 / Physics 800
GPA: 3.97 / 4.3
AP Tests:
11th - Computer Science AB 5, Calculus BC 5, Physics C:M 5, Microeconomics 5, Macroeconomics 4, Physics B 5
12th - English language 4, Statistics 5, Chemistry 5, Physics C:E&M 5
Advanced Coursework:
10th - Number Theory
11th - Multivariable Calculus, Vector Calculus
12th - Linear Algebra

Achievements
Computer Science
> Intel ISEF finalist, second grand prize in computer science
> Computer graphics research paper publication in a reputed international journal, as the first precollege author in the journal's history
> National Olympiad in Informatics - Top gold medal, national 1st ranking
> International Student Science Fair(different from ISEF) - 1st prize in Computer&IT division
> National Science Fair - 1st prize in engineering division (solved a pathfinding algorithm for international transportation problem, won an honor letter from the minister of industry)

Robotics
> Invention patent holder - algorithm for humanoids
> World Robotics Olympiad - 1st place in regionals, 4th place in nationals, participation in internationals
> International Robotics Software Competition - Silver prize, given by the IEEE(a highly reknowned organization in engineering)

Other Science-related
> Environmental Research Competition - Achievement of Excellence
> AIME qualifer (11-12th)
> Odyssey of the mind, national finals - Gold prize, 1st place
> Electronics Invention Competition - special award

Film Works
> Director in chief; M/V "Lies"(2007), presented in a local film festival
> Special Effects editor; documentary "The Cheonggae River"(2007), presented in National Student Film Contest, Special Award

Others
> other awards in math, science, and english

Activities
Leadership Positions
> Student Government - treasurer for 1 year in the executive branch
> Robotics Team - founder and captain, chief programmer for 2 years
> Tennis Team - captain for 2 years

Research Internships
> approx total 800 hours of computer science research in the nation's most reknowned institute of technology. Devoted my entire two summers.

Job Experience
> Open source developer for a computer graphics engine
> Video Jockey in a local broadcasting station
> Physics Teacher in a local elementary school, paid for $200 / month

Summer Programs
> Participation in International Engineering Camp for 1 week
> Participation as a volunteer counsellor in a taekwondo camp for immigrant workers

Community Service
> Book publication for blind people, approx. 350 hours for 3 years
> Mentorship in KOSIAN school for immigrant workers, 3 years

Sports and Music
> Tennis player for 9 years, captain of the school tennis team, compete at state level
> Varsity baseball, compete at state level
> Taekwondo practice for 3 years, black belt, given by national taekwondo association

Recommendations
> My math teacher simply loves me. He thinks I'm the next Einstein. He tells me that i'm literally the most genius kid he met in his career. I don't know about his writing skills tho
> English teacher who also likes me and has experience in guiding my research papers.

I'm considering my GPA as the weakest factor (many who get into stanford does not usually have weighted GPA below 4.0). I didn't care much about school work in 10th grade, and when I did in the 11th and 12th years I selected most rigorous courses + crammed a lot of researching into my tight schedule.

Thank you in advace

kingmo1990 · 04-18-2008, 06:58 PM

Your "objectives" look solid, and your recs seem to have great potential (meaning that they'll be good, particularly your math teacher's rec)
your ecs, while good, are really all over the place; good for being well-rounded, but in an application, you need to show that "angle" of yours that stands out in the pack...if you can do that, then i'd say your chances are quite good.

mercruz · 04-18-2008, 11:53 PM

good job, make sure you be yourself in your essays.

HeWhoDreams · 04-21-2008, 03:21 AM

just a few more comments would make me happy

bump

nngmm · 04-21-2008, 08:08 AM

I am pretty sure you're in. Just write good essays (leave the "next Einstein" comment for your teacher to make

...)

Your ECs are fine. There's nothing wrong with having a wide range of interests and activities. The point is not "not to be scattered", but rather to be really, really good at something. And you, obviously, are.

kyledavid80 · 04-21-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

3.97 ... I'm considering my GPA as the weakest factor

Nice.

You have a strong resume. Being an international will make it much more difficult. Do you have need? If so, Stanford will be even harder.

Make your essays great and you just might get in.

nngmm · 04-21-2008, 05:23 PM

I missed the "international" part :-/... So yeah, if you need fin aid that might affect you. But still looking good...

HeWhoDreams · 04-21-2008, 09:55 PM

Do my EC's look that unfocused?

My primary interst is computer science and robotics and it shows that it occupies much more importance than the rest of my activities(considering not quantity but quality)

The comp sci and robotics are actually the main highlight of my resume and the rest EC's are really just indicators of well-roundedness, not great achievements

I intend my 'angle' to stand out as my phenomenal-ness in computer science (sorry if it sounds arrogant) : i.e.) Olympiad top ranking, publication in an international journal, ISEF, and lots of other national/international level involvement

nngmm · 04-21-2008, 10:31 PM

Your ECs are fine, and your accomplishments are more than impressive. Just make sure you don't sound too self-congratulatory in your app.

mercruz · 04-21-2008, 10:38 PM

True true, but also be sure to try and make those accomplishments known-Awards in Science mean nothing if there isn't a story or something behind it-or so I believe.

iborrowedthisid · 08-06-2008, 11:56 PM

Holy Mackerel how the heck is this possible?

I can infer that you are a Korean from your mentorship in KOSIAN program...I never thought there was no visible interscholastic sports league in Korea for tennis or basball, let alone soccer (probably the most popular).

Anyway, if this can be really true, your stat is just jaw-dropping.

P.S: Where can I see your film? I like watching films so I would like to get a taste of yours too

GeoffreyChaucer · 08-07-2008, 12:53 AM

I think you're the application that makes every other international tremble. As has been said, write good essays and I don't think anybody else in the application pool is more deserving.

shaheiruddin · 08-07-2008, 06:11 PM

You have a Great Chance.

Good Luck!

llpitch · 08-07-2008, 08:22 PM

You're definitely the strongest applicant I've ever seen on CC. That's saying something.

sberlin · 08-07-2008, 09:42 PM

Wow...if you don't get in, I don't know who can; definitely great chance. Your ECs are amazing, between sports and academics. Where else are you applying?