Chance an Asian for science-y/artistic schools (organized post, will chance back)

NuclearTide · 06-03-2009, 11:55 PM

Gender: Male
Location: NYC
Ethnicity: Asian
Year of Graduation: 2010
School Type/Number of Students: Highly competitive/Around 180

GPA: Not calculated/unranked, though estimated to be around 3.5-3.6. Only the transcript is sent, and as far as I know I have a huge improvement trend (with perhaps 1 or 2 C+'s in 8th/9th grade, and A+/A's in math/science courses). Hell, I just remembered I got a D in 8th grade art. Ironic, no?

Test Scores:
PSAT - 202: 61 CR, 80 M, 61 W
Superscored SAT I - 2170: 690 CR, 760 M, 720 W (75 MC, 8 essay, 10 on a lower-scored second try, will probably take a third time in October for 2200+)
Bio-M - 780
Math-I - 750
Chem - N/A, taking this week
All honors courses, or at least labeled that way. Took AP Bio, expecting a 5.

Intended Senior Course Schedule:
AP Calc BC
AP Physics
Math Seminar
Creative Writing
Photography
Research Internship (continuing the work I'm going to do this summer, counts as a course)

Summer Activities:
11th Grade - Research project at a city college, intending on completing an art portfolio or studying music composition
10th Grade - Volunteered at Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Lab at Columbia University/Medical Center, shadowed a postdoc and edited scientific papers
9th Grade - Volunteered at local summer school for 75 hours, tutored elementary school students in critical reading/math

Hobbies/Extracurriculars:
Arts
~Drawing classes/studies at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2009)
~Wrote classical music/art criticism as Staff Writer for high school arts magazine (2008-2009)
~Clarinet (7 years): Performed with community Youth Orchestra at Alice Tully Hall/rehabilitation center (2004-2007)
~Piano (11 years): Passed ABRSM Grade 8 Piano with Distinction (2006), performed at local arts center/churches
~Graphic design (2005-current)
Swimming
~High school team (2006-2008): Open Championship Qualifier (2007)
~Local YMCA team (2004-2008): YMCA State Qualifier/Overall Team Winner (2005-2007)
Regarding my swimming involvement, I had to stop due to medical reasons, though I'll be able to join again senior year.

College List:
Amherst, Brown, CMU, Columbia, Cooper Union, Cornell, Duke, Olin, Harvey Mudd, JHU, CUNY Honors, MIT, Northwestern, UPenn, RPI, RIT, WashU in St. Louis, Williams

Some info about myself: I'm an INTJ, probably viewed as a very serious person academically (though I was never much of a straight A student), and I despise competitions (e.g. piano competitions) for the sake of putting another star on your college app. I love science and art/music (I'll have to choose one), and I'm interested in pursuing both in college as a dual major/degree. I'm uncertain about my future career, and I could definitely do engineering as well, though I'll obviously need that premed requirement so my Asian parents don't go crazy. Cutting to the chase, I posted a tentative (obviously, MIT is a huge reach) college list above that plays to my science-y/artistic interests. Anyone care to help whittle my list down/recommend some colleges?

NuclearTide · 06-04-2009, 08:25 PM

bump 10 chars

slatewater · 06-04-2009, 08:37 PM

this is very odd actually considering we might as well be the same people. we have the same interest (art, piano for 11 years, medicine), the exact same SAT scores, and i can identify with what you wrote about yourself. And we have very similar school lists...

just an anomaly thats all haha

1232cricket · 06-04-2009, 09:06 PM

you probably need to raise your SAT scores for top college consideration.

NuclearTide · 06-04-2009, 09:51 PM

Posted in your topics, thanks for the responses!

Again, I'm not really worried about my chances, but would anyone care to whittle down my college list/recommend some colleges? I actually have medium-to-low interests in the Ivies, and I'm looking for a college that can provide opportunities for a dual major/degree.

PINKequalsLoVe · 06-04-2009, 10:44 PM

colleges won't see/care about 8th grade grades as that is still middle school
and yeah I agree that you need to raise your SAT scores up
your ECs are good but a little weak since you don't have any leadership positions, but they're still good because they show your passions for science & art
I think the schools that will be the most difficult for you are: CMU, Bown, MIT, & UPenn.
I think you should cut out Brown, MIT, & UPenn unless you're really passionate about going to one of those.

PINKequalsLoVe · 06-04-2009, 10:45 PM

Chance me back?

Chance a rising senior (this is a bit long but i'll chance back)

hopeandambition · 06-18-2009, 01:50 PM

impressive EC's...
what school in the city do you go to?
Amherst--reach because of lack of 4.0
Brown--low reach
, CMU-match
, Columbia-reach
Cooper Union--in
Cornell--low reach
Duke--reach OOS
Olin, Harvey Mudd--no clue
JHU--good chance
CUNY Honors--safety
MIT--nope
Northwestern--reach
UPenn--reach
RPI, RIT--dont know
WashU in St. Louis--low reach
Williams--good shot

Chance Me And I Shall Return The Favor

Djokovic · 06-18-2009, 02:03 PM

Your SAT scores seem to be in range for some top tier colleges.
Here is what I think (scale of out 10 for admittance)
Amherst- 7
Brown-7
CMU, - 6
Columbia, -6
Cooper Union, -9
Cornell,-8
Duke, -6
Olin, -8
Harvey Mudd, -8
JHU, -5
CUNY Honors, -8
MIT, -4
Northwestern, -6
UPenn, -5
RPI, - 9
RIT, -8
WashU in St. Louis, Williams -6

Chance me!
Chance an Asian into Top universities?

schee410 · 06-18-2009, 09:15 PM

If you're applying to WashU and NU, you might as well apply to Rice since they're about on the same level. It's also got some really good programs in engineering, music and architecture, which, judging by your interests you might want to take a look at pursuing. The music and arch schools have special applications though, so you'd have to make sure you want to do those programs. Statistically speaking your stats (SAT/GPA) are a little low, but you have an extremely interesting application, IMO.

monstor344 · 06-18-2009, 10:40 PM

Err you guys do realize that Cooper Union is right up there with most of the ivies in selectivity right?

Shibbolethette · 06-19-2009, 01:19 AM

For excellent science and music, and a slightly higher acceptance rate, you should look at Oberlin.

whom · 06-19-2009, 01:46 AM

Your SAT scores and ECs look pretty fantastic. I would recommend shooting for straight A's at this point.

Have you thought of applying to NYU? I was told that they are pretty flexible when it comes to choosing your own major. Moreover, you might have a greater chance of getting in due to your residency.

Good luck!

kexin365 · 06-26-2009, 05:12 PM

D in 8th grade doesn't matter, it doesn't count.
i think you have pretty good stats, better than mine.

if they're reaches for you, then what am i gonna do with my life.

bobdylan4444 · 06-26-2009, 05:27 PM

Amherst: high reach
Brown: mid reach
CMU: mid reach
Columbia: high reach
Cooper Union: don't know sorry
Cornell: mid reach
Duke: high reach
Olin: don't know
Harvey Mudd: low reach
JHU: low reach
CUNY Honors: don't know
MIT: high reach
Northwestern: mid reach
UPenn: mid reach
RPI: match
RIT: safety
WashU in St. Louis: mid reach
Williams: mid reach

I can't believe I'm actually doing this BUT...