ngolsh314

DataBox, its nigh on impossible to cover the content of both AP Physics B and C in a single year, especially if you're doing both parts of C (Mechanics and E&M). I'm beginning to doubt the validity of the OP.

Senior0991

^I disagree. Especially if the students took an introductory physics class that covered Physics B material. Can you cover the topics really well? Probably not. But you definitely can cover the material to a certain degree.

This is what a lot of schools do. They have students sign up for a class that has an AP label in front of it, have them take many AP tests that they aren't ready for, only for the students to be unprepared for the class or test. This is partly why the curves for AP tests are so generous; because thousands of students who have no business taking the test take them and get bad scores.

ngolsh314

ah, i see. i was not aware of that. i just naïvely assumed that he meant he was actually going to learn the material. this year i taught myself both parts of physics C independently, and i know how time consuming that was, so if you plan on actually understanding the entire content of both courses you would need two years.

DataBox

Hey Guys, sorry I wasn't able to answer your questions in a more timely manner, I didn't realize that people were still posting responses.

I posted this thread during a layover in Japan last summer. It seemed like it would be a better use of my time than watching a Japanese news station that I couldn't understand.

I definitely hope not, but then again, there are always state schools and community colleges, so I'll probably be taken care of even if I'm rejected by every competitive school I apply to.

I have actually trimmed the list down (I'll post it in response to faraday's initial question) and I absolutely love every EC I am currently engaged in.

I did it, and I took the AP Physics B and C exams in May =)

DataBox

As of right now I have dual passions- mathematics and government/IR. I hope to pursue both in college and would love to double major in the two fields. Now, as a sophomore I realize that I probably won't get into Stanford, but I'll post a revised version of my stats as of the end of sophomore year for your reference and hope that you will give me your advice. Thank you for your time.

GPA: 4.0 UW, 4.3 W
Rank: 1/470
Mock SAT/ACT Ranges (w/o prep): 2200-2350/35-36
APs (so far): 5 (Physics B, Physics C's, Biology, Calculus BC), expecting 5's
I'm taking three SAT II's this Saturday (Bio M, Math II, Physics)

Significant Awards:
Mathematics: USAMO Qualifier x 2 (Index:250), AMC Perfect Scorer (150), Scored 10 on AIME, AMC School Winner x 2, CAML Perfect Scorer/CA State Winner, ARML 2nd Place (2009), 4th Place (2008), mathleage.org 2nd Place Winner, etc
Government/International Relatations : Congressional Award- Silver Medalist,Best Delegate at Stanford MUN Conference 2008, Best Delegate at Harvard Model Congress Conference 2008, Outstanding Delegate at Davis MUN Conference 2008, Honorable Mention at Stanford MUN Conference 2007 , Distinguished Delegate at Harvard Model Congress 2008, etc
Misc.: Swimming MVP, Received the top student in department award for 4/5 departments year (i.e. English, History, Math, Science), etc

Main EC's (will only list significant ones):

Mathematics
1. Math Club President (9,10,11)
2. ARML A Team Manager (9,10,11)
3. High School Mathematics Examination President (9,10,11) (Spearheading a mathematics contest for 10-25 local middle schools, scheduled to be held in early October)
4. Research (10,11)
5. Math Department Head and I are considering the possibility of my teaching a AP Calculus BC course (12)
6. WOOT
7. (Currently taking Multivariable Differential Calculus and Linear Algebra)

Government/International Relatations
1. Class President (6,8,9,10,11)
2. Harvard Model Congress President (9,10,11)
3. Site Council/Youth Advisory Council (9,10,11)
4. Model United Nations Vice President (9,10,11)
5. Congressional Internship (10,11)

Misc.
1. Varsity Water Polo, Swimming (9,10,11)
2. Community Service Work
*Over 300 hours volunteering in libraries and tutoring socioeconomically disadvantaged children
*Designed and executed a three week day program to educate orphans in rural villages in India (Am currently fundraising for the orphanage)

omgitsover9000

like...i dont know how else to say this...but you're in...
plz come to stanford

shayonsaleh

From what I've read, you've got everything down from a grade and extracurricular perspective. And your interests in Math and Political Science are pretty well defined. I think you have a great shot at any top school, Stanford included.

I am wondering, though, if this is seen as normal at your school or above-and-beyond. I see that you are currently valedictorian, but do other people close to you in GPA have similar breadths in interests?

Also, I advise you not to burn out! Do what you can handle, but if you run out of gas during Junior year or Senior year all your hard work could sum up to nothing!

DataBox

Thanks for all of your input! I really appreciate the help.

Although I'm not quite that optimistic about my chances, it's rather encouraging to hear that from a Stanford student.

I go to a very average school in the suburbs of San Francisco, and my stats are definitely not usual stats for valedictorians at my school. For instance, I am only the second student in the history of my district to qualify for a national olympiad. Although the people close to me in terms of GPA are all quite intelligent people they have rather average and cliche EC's (ex: membership of five completely unrelated clubs and a sports team).

Thanks for the advice, I'll try my best not to burn out =)

rollercoasters

How can you take 8 classes your freshman year? What is your school's name?

DataBox

I actually took nine classes, I accidentally left out Biology. (Seven of those were at school, two (four semesters) were online through an accredited virtual high school)

Sorry, but for privacy reasons, I'm not going to release my school's name on the internet, it would be extremely easy to figure out who I am if I were to give that information. (In fact several CC users have found and contacted me after running google searches through my awards)

WhartonMaster

Wow, you're a sophomore with stats like that! Amazing, keep up the great work dude. I wouldn't be surprised at all if you were accepted by all of HYPSM one and a half years from now!

DataBox

Thanks for the encouragement! What advice would you give me for the next year and a half of high school?

Senior0991

Wharton- I disagree. He's too humble to be accepted by Princeton

WhartonMaster

Haha, you definitely have a point =)

DataBox

Thanks for your kind comments guys! Would you recommend any areas of improvement?
I really appreciate the help!