<p>With your GPA and test scores you absolutely have a chance at all of those schools. But dont just assume that will get you in, people with your stats get rejected all the time. Sine you’ve already proven you are academically competitive now you must focus on your ECs and writing a good essay that makes you stand out. Thats the most important thing, standing out. </p>
<p>imo, you have to show massive dedication to one of your EC’s. You have the academic side down (wish I had your ACT :)) ), but your ECs do not seem to be extraordinary. For Caltech, I think you’re a high match, since they don’t care about ECs that much. But for princeton and MIT, you have to have something that you are fully dedicated to (artistic, academic, athletics, either one). With your current ECs, you still have a chance of getting into either princeton/mit. You just have to remember that these schools have very low acceptance rates and tons of qualified applicants get rejected. </p>
<p>@Classof2018app thanks for the feedback. I was thinking I showed pretty good academic focus with my science orientated ECs but maybe not enough?</p>
<p>A girl from our school who had a 2390 on her SAT, with tons of cancer research at JHU and awards for piano, was deferred at EA for MIT, while a guy with a 32 ACT and crew was accepted. For MIT, you have to be no. 1 at something. If you’re going for academic side of ECs, get number 1 in an academic thing. 17 students applied for MIT for EA this year from our school. Two were accepted. One was the best in crew, and the other was the best in track and field. I’m not saying you have to be athletic to get in, but you have to be the best at something. </p>
<p>@Classic2018app that makes sense thank you. I’m just not sure what more I can do since I only have ~9 months until early apps and just over a year until regular. I applied to some research summer programs like Clark’s and Simr and plan to attend one, but other than that and maybe doing a research competiton like Intel, what else can I do to show I’m really passionate (and capable) at my subject of choice, biochemistry ?</p>
<p>I’m not really sure man. I applied for Princeton and some other ivies, and will probably get rejected at all. Tbh, all the schools you mentioned are crapshoots. The trick is to stand out. Your test scores are much better than mine, but a ton of others will be having the same scores. In your essays, talk about something non-cliche, like describing the scene in which you tutored those kids (it’s all about sensory details). Do the research at summer, but also think about one non-cliche thing and stick to it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be academic. I came up with an art portfolio. There are so many ways to make yourself stand out in the thousands of applicants who apply for these top-tier schools</p>
<p>I’ll state the obvious, which sometimes isn’t said enough: you’re an incredibly qualified applicant and you work with disabled kids and homeless people. Any school would be lucky to have you. Someone as smart as you surely knows that it’s a crap shoot for anyone, but your chances are as strong as anyone’s. Good luck!</p>
<p>Your stats are gold, be proud. ECs are not great. You got a perfect test score, which is a great accomplishment. </p>
<p>BUT… You are a boring Asian School Robot Drone. You don’t really have anything to separate you from vast legions of similar students. You could get lucky and be in the quota or be unlucky and not be in it. If you want to ensure your place, do things that make you unique.</p>
<p>I’m thinking about organizing and holding a science expo/ educational convention type thing for my nearby underprivileged neighborhood. I could invite scientists or professors to come give a little speech and advertise in the local newspaper. Would something like that be enough of a “hook”</p>
<p>You have amazing grades, improve a little on your ECs.
I would still say that you have a chance with princeton but even extremely qualified people get rejected. Berkeley in a match, MIT and Caltech would be a reach.</p>
