Demographics:
- Mixed race (Black/White) male, U.S. citizen.
- Attending private school in east coast
Intended Major(s):
- Quantum Physics and Philosophy (with a potential minor in International Relations).
Stats:
- GPA: 4.0/4.0 Unweighted, 5.3 Weighted.
- Rank: 1/650.
- SAT: 1600 (800 Math, 800 EBRW).
- ACT: 36 Composite (achieved in 8th grade).
- APs: 18 exams, all 5s (Physics C: Mechanics, E&M, Calc BC, Latin, Chinese, etc.).
List your HS coursework
- English: AP English Language, AP English Literature (5s on both).
- Math: AP Calculus BC (5), AP Statistics (5), Multivariable Calculus (A), Linear Algebra (A).
- Science: AP Physics C: Mechanics (5), AP Physics C: E&M (5), AP Chemistry (5), AP Biology (5).
- History and social studies: AP US History (5), AP World History (5), AP Government (5), AP Economics (5).
- Language other than English: AP Latin (5), AP Chinese (5).
- Visual or performing arts: Advanced Studio Art, Concert Performance (Violin).
- Other academic courses: AP Computer Science A (5), AP Research (5).
—-I self studied for some of these—–
Awards:
- Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist.
- Published first-author paper in Nature Physics.
- Grand Prize Winner, Intel ISEF.
Extracurriculars:
- Research:
- Conducted quantum computing research at MIT. Results patented for clean energy applications.
- Published 3 first-author papers in Nature and Science.
- Philanthropy:
- Founded a global nonprofit providing AI education in 50+ countries, raised $1M in funding.
- Arts: Concert pianist; performed at Carnegie Hall.
- Leadership: Student Body President; Model UN President, consistently won Best Delegate.
- Athletics: Junior Olympic Fencer (top 10 nationally); Varsity Lacrosse Captain (State Champs), Varsity soccer, Varsity tennis (state champion)
- Global Outreach: Speaks seven languages (English, Arabic (My moms native language), Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, German). I am fluent in all but german. I have been tutored since I was 3, traveled to 20+ countries for service projects
Essays/LORs/Other
- Essays: Strong (but worried my essay about solving the energy crisis might feel overdone).
- LORs: Letters from Ivy/Oxford professors (amazing), but concerned that my high school teachers might not paint me as warm or approachable. I’ve been told I can come off as standoffish or prideful.
Schools: I am applying to: Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Harvard University, Stanford University, Yale University, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, Duke University, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge
My top choices: Princeton University, Yale University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Harvard University
- Assured: None—targeting top universities only.
- Extremely Likely: N/A.
- Likely: N/A.
- Toss-up: Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, MIT.
- Lower Probability: Oxford, Cambridge (applying to natural sciences track).
- Low Probability: None, as I believe my profile aligns with top-tier schools.
Family Context and Legacy
- My father is a fourth-generation Harvard graduate + MBA from Wharton, and almost every member of immediate family attended Harvard
- My mother is a Rhodes Scholar and earned a DPhil in Theoretical Physics from Oxford after completing her undergrad at NYU (double major in Physics and Business, minor in Biology) and a master’s program at Columbia.
- financially well-off and college costs are not a concern.
Parental Pressure
- There’s definitely pressure to live up to my family’s legacy and attend a top institution like Harvard, Oxford, or Princeton. Both of my parents expect nothing less than excellence and are deeply involved in my academic and extracurricular planning.
- I’m concerned this may work against me in admissions, as I don’t want to appear as someone coasting on privilege or as overly “manufactured.”
Essays/LORs/Other
- Essays: I’m writing about the intersection of privilege and purpose—how I reconcile my unique advantages with a responsibility to create meaningful change.
- LORs: Strong letters from Ivy and Oxford professors I worked with during my research, but I’m worried about my high school teacher recommendations. I’ve been told I sometimes come off as standoffish or prideful, and I’m not sure they’ll convey my personal growth