ericaaaa

Hey, thanks in advance for your feedback!

I go to a techy magnet school, ranked 22 in the country by Newsweek

GPA: 4.775 w 4.000 uw

Rank: 1 / 90

ACT: 34

Critical Reading: 700
Math: 710 (I promise to raise!)
Writing: 780
(Will retake)

Chem: 780 (will take Math II and Lit)

Junior Schedule:
AP Psych-5
AP Chem-4
Chem Research
AP Language-4
AP Calc AB-5
AP US History-5
+ 2 college courses at UF (Honors Seminar on Medical Neurosci & Lab research)

Senior Schedule:
AP Calc BC
AP Stat
AP Bio
AP Lit
AP Computers A
Multimedia (mandatory)

ECs:
Big Brothers Big Sisters (President)
School Newspaper
National Honor Society
Spanish Honor Society
Speech and Debate Honor Society (Degree of Honor)
Math Honor Society /Mu Alpha Theta

Awards and stuff:

National Merit (Commended)
Intel ISEF finalist – (Medicine & Health)
Designed and raced model hydrogen fuel cell car
1st in state competition – qualified by interview to rep. US at internationals
International Youth Fuel Cell Competition:
1st place performance in fork-lift competition
1st place engineering
2nd place Quiz Bowl
3rd place vehicle race
Exhibitor at several expos on renewable energy/conservation


Summer programs:
2 summers at Duke TiP ~ courses on neuroscience and astrobiology
University of Florida SSTP-CPET
High school / college credit
Research w/ mentor on Taste and Pain (7 weeks 200+ lab hours)

Volunteering: 100 hours Big Brothers Big Sisters
100 hours as teacher assistant at local science center summer program

I plan to major in BME and eventually attend med school.

I'm applying so far to (in order of where I would go if accepted):
Vanderbilt -Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship
Stanford
Harvard
Duke
Johns Hopkins BME
Caltech
University of Florida (Honors)
Vanderbilt
UMiami
Florida State U.

mutant3324

whats the question? 4.0 + good SATs + good ECs/awards. what do you want to hear?

ab2013

Hey, I'm happy to chance you if you chance me: Please chance me ... I'd really really appreciate it!

First off, a 4.0 is great, and you have great awards and ECs. Your courseload is ... WOW challenging. You should take at least 2 more SAT IIs, and you should retake your SAT I. Your ACT is very good, at a 34.

Chances:
-Vanderbilt - Match (reach for scholarship)
-Stanford, Harvard, Caltech - Reach/high reach (it's hard for everyone)
-Duke - match
-JHU - match
-University of Florida - safety
-Florida State - in (with scholarship money)
-University of Miami - not familiar

ericaaaa

thanks. ha I will attempt to chance you, although I don't really feel like I have enough experience/knowledge about this whole college app process. I do plan on returning to CC once it's all done with,however, and return the favors :]

nicole5178

First of all: "1st place performance in fork-lift competition." I loved that.

Chances:
Vanderbilt -Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship: match for acceptance, but their scholarships are very competitive; UVA is similiar, but you'd have more of a chance at scholarships if that's what you're looking for
Stanford- Super High Reach (for everyone)
Harvard- Super High Reach (for everyone)
Duke- High Reach with those math and cr scores
Johns Hopkins BME- Low Reach
Caltech- Reach
University of Florida (Honors)- Match, it's getting harder to get into every year
UMiami- Safety
Florida State U.- Safety

ericaaaa

uh oh Duke is a high reach? really? I will pretty much be extremely happy as long as I get into Duke (of course H/S would be nice...). I would think a 34 ACT would undo some of the damage of a 1410, which I will raiseeeee

nicole5178

Sorry, I didn't notice that the ACT was a 34. That helps with Duke considerably. Their middle range (25%-75%) scores are 660-750 cr, 680-790 math, and 680-780 writing, which is why I said 'high reach.' I think it's probably more of a 'low reach/high match,' especially with your summers there.

ericaaaa

thanks. My ACT is at the top of their middle range, btw. What else is lacking besides higher SAT/ACT scores?

kelsmom

Luck, frankly.

You have the stats, but so do a lot of other students. All you can do is present yourself in the best possible way you can. Write thoughtful essays. Take your time & put together a great app. Get excellent recommendations. Show interest at schools that like that sort of thing. Realize that you have done everything you can & should do, and that not getting in or not getting a scholarship is not necessarily a reflection on you personally. That is why you will read it over & over again on CC ... apply to a variety of schools, and never "expect" anything. In other words, hedge your bets.

Relax. You have worked hard, and good things will come your way if you put a little effort into the process. But WORRY doesn't do a darn thing in terms of getting you in or getting you a scholarship. So don't bother with that!