ivyleaguewannabe

Hey everybody: I have already written a chance thread just a little while ago, but made some college selection changes and my EC's are changing/about to change/are updated.

White Male in Arizona. Highschool is not known for sending kids to ivies. Our valedictorian went to Yale. He was the first person to go to an ivy in the past couple of decades!

(GPA includes assumed A after taking Drivers Ed. course for 1 semester at summer school)

UW GPA: 3.97
W GPA: 4.1

Class rank: 12/600+ (not positive of the number)

SAT: W680, CR680, M580 = 1940. (Taking again in October: will be studying all summer and fall to achieve 2250+)

ACT: Will take it this September. Will be working to have 30+

SAT IIs: Took in June, awaiting scores.

AP Tests: AP Gov't: took in may, awaiting scores

Senior Year APs:

AP Chemistry
AP Calculus AB
AP Micro/Macro
AP Spanish

Had all A's in all my classes up through Junior year except for Honors PreCalculus, in which I received to B/B+.

EC's: (through the time applications go out EA)

approx. 120 tutoring hours
273 hours interning at County Attorney's office
approx 320 hours volunteering at county Teen Court.
Piano for 12 yrs, Violin for 9 yrs, voice for 2
NHS
Will be publishing first book of poetry this summer
Am taking an independent study course in Mandarin Chinese

Leadership Positions:
Teen Court Treasurer (Freshman-sophomore year)
Teen Court President (Junior Year)
My highschool Orchestra class president
Ignite mentor to incoming freshman (Senior Year)
Teen Court intern: (Sophomore Year)
Should be first chair violinist in school orchestra, either as first violin or second violin.
Looking to found a bipartisan politics club at my HS

Job Experience:

273 hours at attorney's office
Petsitting business
Teen Court Intern
Will start working at a music store in July

Major/State/Regional Awards:

Law Day Essay Contest: Third Place
Academic Decathlon Awards
A Scholar of the Month of January 2008 at my HS
Teacher nominated Points of Pride for academic excellence
Have applied for the Presidential Scholars honor program for the arts. Will submit poetry.

Have two amazing (not just good) teacher recs I am sure I will have.
Will have amazing essays, as I am really good at writing. I have already started writing the essays this summer.

I think that is all. Here are the schools I am applying to.

Harvard
Yale
Princeton
Stanford
University of Boston (Trustees Scholarship)
Boston College (Presidential Scholarship)
University of Arizona (Flinn Scholarship)
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh. (Chancellor's scholarship)

Could you chance me on the scholarships too? Thanks

aranyria

where are you getting the poetry book published? (self published might not count for as much as other places)

ivyleaguewannabe

I am indeed going to self-publish my poetry. It's a lot less expensive and easier to do for a highschooler, imo, who already is busy with so many other things.

And you have a good point about it not meaning as much if it is self-published. But don't forget the movie Eragon was based on a book by the same name that was self-published by a 17 of 18 year old kid. Look where it is now!

WAVE24

I think your EC's are great. Definitely emphasize the poetry, which is pretty cool by the way! As you've noted, your SAT's need a big boost...I suggest you focus your energy on the ACTs. Seriously, I had the same scores on the SATs as you, but I got a 34 on the ACTs on my first try with no studying. It's way different, and could be your thing.

I think your GPA is good (I sucked at Precalc too, no worries), but to be considered at the tippy top schools like HYPS, you may need more AP's. I hate to be that mean sadistic person that suggests it, but they really look for 7 or 8+ AP's. People from my school with 9+ AP's, all A's, and other perfect stats, were rejected from HYPS.

I honestly think HYPS and the BC Presidential Scholarship (I don't know about the others) are a stretch. Yes, there are some exceptions, but for the most part HYPS are looking for perfect, well-rounded applicants with a hook. And the competition for the BC Presidential Scholarship is simply outrageous...I definitely wouldn't bank on that one.

I really hate to have such a pessimistic opinion, but admissions is wild. May I suggest you apply to more match schools, maybe another safety too? Oh, and where are you from? That could be important.

Otherwise, kick butt your Senior year first semester, write really awesome/memorable essays, show LOTS of interest, and offer a sacrifice to the college admissions gods. Good luck!

ivyleaguewannabe

anyone??????????

ivyleaguewannabe

Wave24, I am from Arizona. Do you think that helps? Thanks for your critique!

aranyria

Oh yeah, your book will still count for a lot anyway.

ivycmm

Are you going to apply early to any of your schools?

WAVE24

I think it does help a little bit. As long as your application is competitive as compared to your school's other applicants, it helps. Arizona is not Northern Jersey or NYC or Fairfield County or New England, so your location shouldn't handicap you at all. Another positive aspect of your app! Work hard, be committed (or fake it well), and stand out! Best of luck!

ivyleaguewannabe

Thanks everybody for your advice. I was thinking about applying early, but I am not quite sure. Does anyone have any suggestions?

And oh yeah, and chances are always welcome too!

ivyleaguewannabe

bump 10 char

ivyleaguewannabe

bump 10 char