hollander95

I'm a senior at a fairly competitive public school in north Texas. I'm automatically accepted at UT Austin and I know they have a great physics department. However, I really do want to try to get in to an elite school. I'm open to all critiques, concerns, tips, advice, etc...

GPA: 4.354 (w)
Rank: 10/479
SAT: 2000 superscore (630 R 660 W 710 M)
ACT: 32 (31M 31E 30S 34R)
Classes taken: Most rigorous classes available. Will have taken 11 AP classes by graduation.
AP: 3 WHAP, 3 Lang and Comp, 4 Bio, 5 APUSH
EC: 4 years in band/drumline in addition. Last 2 years as drum captain. All-Region, Top band in one of most competitive regions in one of most competitive states. All-Area last year. National Honors Society last Two years. Also worked as lifeguard over summer for past 3 years. Last two spent as pool manager and WSI certified swim lessons instructor. Community service upwards of 100+ hours like everyone else. Member of UIl physics and calculator team this year.
Recommendations: I assume pretty good Recs by Calc BC teacher and Physics C teacher.

Once again, appreciate all help!! Thanks!

hollander95

All-region top band every year*

Not that it matters. Thanks!

muckdogs07

No chance at Stanford without much higher SATs. Rice a high reach (less than 10%) and UC a reach (less than 25% chance). For physics with your profile, think about UCSB, Maryland, Illinois, or a science oriented LAC like Grinnell.

RML

Stanford - Reach

UC Berkeley and Rice - Low Reach

hollander95

Bumpbumpbump

Ukneadmorebread

Stanford - High Reach
Berkeley - High Reach (OOS)
Rice - Reach

You really need to work on those SAT scores, don't submit them if you can (only ACT). AP scores pretty low too.

jacquelynn

Unless you have something exceptional that you're forgetting to mention, I think getting in is difficult (but possible). Stanford, Berkeley, and Rice are all high competitive schools, but you have a shot if you have a stellar essay. I'd suggest EDing to Rice, because that'd give you a boost too.

hollander95

Appreciate all the comments! Is there any way for me to "not submit them" on the application if I already chose these 3 schools to be sent to with my October SAT? For instance, Rice requires SAT + Subject Tests/ ACT + Writing, and if I didn't do Subject Tests, does that mean they would completely ignore the SAT I already sent to them? Thanks for the help

RML

I suggest that you submit your ACT of 32 when you're applying to Berkeley.

hollander95

Bumpbumpbump

hollander95

Would really appreciate some help with the question I asked a few days ago (shown above.) To be more detailed with my SAT situation... I've taken it 3 times and gotten a 1970 every time. I know. Superscore of 2000. On the last SAT in October I listed Stanford, Rice, and Berkeley for the scores to be sent to. Is there any "undoing" this? Much rather they not see this, but rather they see my 32 on the ACT. Much better performance. Please help me out!