abscissa

Hi, I'm currently a junior at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in Denton, Texas. TAMS is basically a high school acceleration program in which both high school and college credits are earned simultaneously. It's part of the University of North Texas, so I'm taking UNT courses. Thus far, I've maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA.

I am planning on applying to MIT (early decision) and Caltech.
Basically, MIT is my #1 choice.

Here are my stats:
Standardized Testing
SAT: 2210
PSAT: 220
SAT II Subject Test:
Math Level II: 800 / 800
Math Level I: 770 / 800

From Coppell High School, Texas (competitive state)
Final Rank: 13/760 (2nd after 1st semester of freshman year, then
5th, 6th, 13th)

Courses: TAMS Junior Year - 1st Semester:
• Math 2710 : Multivariable Calculus
• Biology 1711 (Honors Principles of Biology I)
• Biology 1730 (Honors Principles of Biology Lab)
• Chemistry 1410 (General Chemistry)
• Chemistry 1430 (Chemistry Lab)
• English 1315 (Writing about Literature I)

TAMS Junior Year - 2nd Semester:
 Math (Differential Equations I)
 Biology 1722 (Honors Principles of Biology II)
 Biology 1740 (Honors Principles of Biology II Lab)
 Chemistry 1420 (General Chemistry)
 Chemistry 1440 (Chemistry Lab)
 Special Problems (Research credit = 3 hours) 2910.756
 English 1325 (Writing about Literature II)

Courses: Freshman year

Spanish I
AP Calc. BC (5 on AP exam)
Pre-AP Academic Decathlon
Pre-AP World Geography
Pre-AP Physics B (with juniors, seniors)
Pre-AP GT English
PE credit

Sophomore year:
AP Statistics
Pre-AP Biology
Pre-AP GT English
Physical Education
Academic Decathlon, Octathlon (spring semester)
Pre-AP Spanish II
Pre-AP Chemistry

Programming:
· JAVA (basic)

Activities
· Physics Club: Team member in the robotics competition at UTA in 2007.
· NHS: I volunteered to tutor in the Coppell public library
· Academic Decathlon: 2005 and 2006 fall semesters
· Octathlon: 2006 and 2007 spring semesters
· Business Professionals of America (BPA): 2006-2007
· School chess club captain: lead the team to tournaments
· Dallas Chess Club and US Chess Federation member since 2003
· Attended ‘Awesome math’ camp in July 2007
.
Awards
· Robotics competition in 2007: Team placed 4th
· Qualified for AIME 2007
· Academic Decathlon 2005: Scored the highest for a freshman (but didn’t make the team)
· Octathlon: Gold medal for the Math in 2006 and silver medal in 2007
· BPA 2007: Qualified for state and earned first place in accounting math in the state
· Represented the school for state UIL math and regional UIL Physics- 2006,2007
· School chess club: Won first place as a team and as an individual in 2006 DFW high school championship and 2007 region III scholastic chess championships for high school.
Won 6th place individual and 3rd place for the team in 2007 Texas high school championships.
Also won first place for the team in a few other tournaments around DFW.
· Won third place in 2005 Texas grade championship
· Won ninth place in 2006 US Junior Open

State champion of 11th grade chess championships in Nov 2007
Blitz (K-12) champion of Texas high school state championships (Mar 2007)
17th place in NAT nationals (math contest)
NATIONAL BLITZ CHAMPION IN CHESS FOR AMATEUR SECTION (JUNE 2005)
11TH PLACE OVERALL IN SAME TOURNAMENT
2ND PLACE IN U.S JUNIOR OPEN IN JULY 2004
AMC 10 score (10th grade): 123
AIME score: 3

AMC 12 score (11th grade): 102
AIME score: pending

Work Experience
· I have coached chess at a summer camp during the last three summers. Also I taught a 6-year-old chess two summers ago.

Thanks!

blqgirl

at these top tier schools, it's always a crapshoot, but I'd bet big money on you getting in to MIT.

abscissa

0h, and also, I have been doing materials science research since October 2007
and hope to be a strong competitior for the INtel/SIemens, etc.

diligent.bunny

hey i got an admissions letter for TAMS too and I have to decide by this friday whether or not I am going through with it. I would be taking the IB program in 11th and 12th grades and have a running shot at getting in the top 2 or 1% of my graduating class. But I really want to go to TAMS and I was wondering if it was worth leaving behind everything I already have going for me. Help please. My biggest concern is extracurricular activities...does TAMS completely ruin chances of getting truly involved in extracurriculars or does it depend on the individuals themselves? Thanks in advance. Also, I plan on majoring in medicine and/or business...hope that helps with the advice-giving.

cdawson

0%, Abhishek! :P

abscissa

hmm... thats tough.. but if you are really looking for some research
opportunities or higher level math classes, not to mention leadership
positions at clubs, I think TAMS would be a great choice. I mean, TAMS
will enhance your chances of attending your "dream" schools, because you will
have research extras in addition to your strong rank, GPA, etc. You will
also be in a more academic environment with your peers.

diligent.bunny

^thanks that helps so much

diligent.bunny

wait if you're a junior this year then you'll be one of our seniors. that's cool.