aznschoolboi22

Hi, I have a neighbor that I have known for many years, and it's that time of life when parents compare their kids - according to which college they are going to.

So could you guys please chance my friend?

Info: Male Chinese, Class of 2009

Location: Marietta, GA (Rich section of metro Atlanta)

School: Very Competitive Public (This year we had 1 Harvard, 2 Yales, 3 Dukes, 4 Nothwestern's, 1 UPenn 4 Cornell's 1 WashU and a few Vandy's many Emorys)

Rank 30/631 - This will probably rise a little after this semester I think

GPA: 4.3ish weighted, taking probably hardest courseload, 13-14 AP's by graduation

SAT(Taken Once) Math:780 Reading:750 Writing 690 (2210 total)

Extracurricular Stuff

Track & Field - 4 Years (3 Varsity)
10th Grade - 1st Place JV County - Pole Vault
10th Grade - 2nd Place JV Region - Pole Vault
11th Grade - 1st Place Varsity County - Pole Vault
11th Grade - 1st Place Varsity Region - Pole Vault
11th Grade - Tied for 4th at GA Track State Meet - Pole Vault
Tied School Pole Vault Record for 11th Grade

He is only 2 inches away from the school record for the pole vault, and I think he is going to break it next year. He may be a possible recruit for college? His personal record is 14 feet for anyone who knows anything about college sports...

Debate Team - 4 years, should be president of club next year

Metro Youth Symphony Orchestra - 3 Years, Co-Section Leader

Junior Achievement Fellows - This is some business/entrepreneur thing, President of Company

Community Outreach - 3 Years
Total Community Service Hours - 135 hours

National Honor Society

Awards

Harvard Book Award - at honors night
All-State Orchestra - 11th Grade
County Honor Orchestra - 9th Grade
Raider Pride Award - Award for character at school, nominated by a teacher
Debate Team Award - at honors night
American Literature Award - at honors night
10th & 11th Grade - Governor Honors Program County Finalist - Violin

Summer Activities

Lead America Leadership Seminar-thingy - 9th Grade
Participated in Center for Disease Control Camp - 10th Grade
Pole Vault Camp - 10th Grade

Can you please chance for:

Harvard
Stanford
UPenn
Columbia
Dartmouth
Northwestern
UChicago
Emory

innervisions

That's a pretty formidable record. If there's good essays and recs, I'd say he's in about 5-6 of those schools. Definitely an above-average H/S applicant.

glassesarechic

I'd say that's a pretty confident list of school's he's got going on. His pole-vaulting is dedicated, but his accomplishments in it aren't exceptional. For schools like that list, fourth in the state and *almost* beating a school record don't quite reach the astronomical level of EC's those schools are looking for. His All-State Orchestra's pretty big, though.

I guess I'd say that while he doesn't have poor chances at those schools, he doesn't have anything that particularly stands out, no big life passion. A lot of the awards you mentioned are fairly arbitrary, as well--NHS, the Book Award, leadership camp, pride award.... Most just prove he's a decent student. His rank, while top 5%, also just proves that his academic ability is decent. While schools will take into account the competitiveness of your school and will be willing to dig a bit deeper into class rank, remember that they'll still be looking for the *top* students. I guess you'll just have to look at your school's record of sending kids to such schools--is is rank competitive based on past results? What about his EC's?

Ultimately, though, it isn't your concern. Yes, this guy's parents have a kid to be proud of. But I bet that your parents are just as proud of you. The college admissions process isn't a competition; it's about finding a place you can be happy and successful for the next four years. This guy may get into some of those schools, and there's a 9 in 10 chance he won't. That doesn't change your accomplishments or make them less valuable. If he's your friend, support him through this process but expect him to do the same. If he's just a neighbor your parents envy, there's no need to pay any more attention to him and his college successes.

Pyroclasm

theres nothing impressive

aznschoolboi22

Are you for real pyro? You must have really high standards if you think a kid who is in the top of the state of Georgia at Violin and Pole Vault and also is top 5% in his school is not impressive. I would at least think his whole resume is greater than the sum of its parts, which all together is pretty impressive to me.

Pyroclasm

oh sorry yeah i missed that part

its amazing

Keshira

Hopefully he's applying to his state flagship too. Safety, you know... even though Emory looks like a sure thing for him as well. His list is kind of scary, but he has good chances... it helps that he does pole vaulting instead of something math-sciencey

slipper1234

It really depends on whether he can get recruited. Assuming he is not:

Harvard: 10%
Stanford: 15%
UPenn: 40%
Columbia: 40%
Dartmouth: 40%
Northwestern: 60%
UChicago: 60%
Emory: 80%

aznschoolboi22

And today he just got voted as Co-President of the Entrepreneur Club in my school. Ballin' like showbiz

aznschoolboi22

bump? just a few more opinions?