Best Chances?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>Hey Everyone,</p>

<p>Even though my SATII scores are average at best, and living in Canada means I don’t get the chance to do a lot of the things people in the States do, it’s always been a dream of mine to attend Harvard, Yale or Stanford. Not for the names but because of the high level of education and the type of people that I’ll get to be around at those schools. I. If anything, I’m hoping that my passion and enthusiasm will help get me there. </p>

<p>Based on my stats below, at which Ivy League schools do you think I’ll have the best chances for Early Admission? The problem is I’m taking Math IIC and another subject course in November, after the EA deadline, and hoping to do better on those, so I don’t know which to apply to. Thanks in advance! =)</p>

<p>Academics</p>

<ul>
<li>SAT I: Taking in November</li>
<li>SAT II: Chemistry 750, Biology 720, Math IC 720</li>
<li>AP: Biology 5, Chemistry 4</li>
<li>PSAT: 209</li>
<li>GPA: 4.0</li>
<li>Rank: 1st in a grad class of about 130</li>
<li>Courseload: Heavy, considering the courses offered at our school</li>
<li>School: Public, 530 students (gr 8-12)</li>
</ul>

<p>Awards</p>

<ul>
<li>Principal’s List Medal, 2003 to present (90%+ in academics all year)</li>
<li>Junior Citizenship Award 2003 2004</li>
<li>Bronze, Silver, and Gold Service Awards 2003 to present</li>
<li>Student of the Term 2005, 2006</li>
<li>Gauss 8 Math Contest Top 25%</li>
<li>Top Scholar, 2003</li>
<li>Royal Conservatory of Music: completion of 10 grades of music, honors with distinction</li>
<li>Peak Invitational Dance Competition, 1st Place 2006</li>
</ul>

<p>Extra Curriculars</p>

<ul>
<li>Student Council President (also held Vice-President, Social Coordinator, involved since grade 9)</li>
<li>School Webmaster (since grade 8)</li>
<li>District Student Council, exec member</li>
<li>School Planning Council (1 of 3 selected students, since grade 9)</li>
<li>Junior Achievement (Entrepreneurial Business), CEO</li>
<li>Reach for the Top (Interschool Trivia, since grade 8), Team Captain, Team Manager</li>
<li>Kids Help Phone Student Amabassador Council, Chair (Involved with organization for 3 years)</li>
<li>Environmental Club (3 years)</li>
<li>British Columbia Youth Parliament</li>
<li>Vancouver Youth Parliament</li>
<li>Youthink Student Magazine, Student Liaison</li>
<li>Stanley Park Ecology Society, Volunteer</li>
<li>Employment at Space Center as a Birthday Party Host, on weekends</li>
</ul>

<p>Other

  • Imperial Oil Seminar for Women (1 of 48 applicants from across Canada selected to attend 1 week seminar about Computer Science at the University of Waterloo)
  • Very close with counsellor and administration, who support my application to the Ivies (my counsellor’s trying to set me up with a Yale alumni interviewer but I don’t know how that’s going)
  • Lived in Japan for 4 years, have a dimploma from a Japanese Language School in my city.</p>

<p>–</p>

<p><em>phew</em> what a long list. but THANK YOU if you’ve read this far, I really appreciate any comments/suggestions that you might have.</p>

<p>Be brutal, be honest - that’s what I’m here for. I know that you guys here on College Confidential just give the facts. My friends think I’m in for sure but when I check out this site I know that people who get in are so much more than what I am, but I know what I want and I’m going to try my hardest.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You’ve earned well-deserved kudos for having applied yourself academically in the classroom and outside the classroom as well. Your GPA is a perfect 4.0. Your EC’s and individual academic honors distinguish you in a standout fashion. I like the diversity you’ve shown and the leadership experience as well. The RCM achievement is notable (what instrument?).</p>

<p>But… you knew there was a BUT, right? … Your non-U.S. Citizenship will not help, but a lot will depend on how you compare to other Canadian applicants. Your SAT Subject Test scores are below average for the typical profile of an admitted student into Stanford, Harvard or Yale. Your PSAT score would place you at a “Commended” level for the National Merit Scholarship Program, probably not at a Semi-finalist/Finalist cut. Do prep for the SAT I – lots of repetition for the practice Math tests will help you there. Judging by your PSAT score, your SAT I score will probably be very solid and put you into a competitive space at the most elite schools, e.g., Ivy League. That’s all you can ask.</p>

<p>What will make a difference is to deeply probe into each and every school. Find the most recent “Common Data Set” for each school and understand each school’s evaluation criteria for admission. Study each school’s educational approach and philosophy, and then use this knowledge on the invariable essay topic that goes something like, “Why do you want to attend XYZ University?” Most especially, take some time to introspect and be certain to create the “voice” that will communicate you best in your essays when get around to doing your apps. Be consistent and have a focus. Don’t dilute your essay by talking about too many things. Instead choose something important to you and why you have passion in it. Examine for yourself what is meaningful, what has been influential and poignant in your young life thus far.</p>

<p>If you are interested in the Ivies, choose those schools that will meet your requirements/interests academically. Decide on the environment you would like. There is a big difference between Cornell and Dartmouth… or Dartmouth and Penn. Brown has no core requirements, but Princeton does. On the other hand, Princeton is notable for not letting their students “fall through the crack”. Columbia is a very urban environment – do you like lots of green? Maybe Dartmouth is better suited for you then. You get the idea. Know yourself first and try on the fit of a college. Don’t try to force-fit a college that’s not right for you, regardless of prestige. It will be tremendously helpful to visit as many schools as you can before you make your decision. </p>

<p>If you are absolutely convinced that ONE and only ONE school is the best for you, consider Early Decision (ED). It will present advantages to you. Early Action (EA) will keep your options open, whereas ED is a binding commitment – keep this clearly in mind before applying. Some schools, such as Stanford, are Single Choice Early Action (SCEA). This means that, after undertaking a diligent search process, SCEA schools will want you to only apply to ONE school with any “Early” notification program. Some colleges will allow multiple EA applications. Of course, you will likely have to prepare Regular Decision (RD) apps in the meantime, if you go the ED/EA/SCEA route, in order to hedge your bet. </p>

<p>You mention that you are planning to take your SAT I in November – this will be too late for most ED/EA/SCEA notification programs. Why don’t you take the SAT I in October? This will also give you the option of re-taking in November for RD apps. </p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>

3

<p>Thank you, NorCalDad, for your insightful comments =) They’re very helpful and I’m glad to get some input from outside.</p>

<p>Yes, I meant I’m taking the SAT Is in October but I’m thinking of taking another subject test in November. Must have been a typo <em>blush</em></p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

4

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<p>I assure you, the type of people and education at those schools will not be drastically different from the people and education offered by any other top-20 university. I think if you look into schools like UChicago or Swarthmore, you’ll open up a lot more options–HYS are just a tiny bit difficult to get into.</p>

5

<p>That may be true, but there’s got to be a reason why everyone wants to go to these Ivies, right?</p>

<p>It’s true that it’s pretty stupid to only want to go to the Ivies and not want anything else, since its just a label, (i.e. Stanford’s not an Ivy) but I still want to go to these places regardless because so many others with such exceptional records are going to these places.</p>

6

<p>hey, if you’re still around I’d like to get in touch with you regarding EC’s, seeing as I’m also in vancouver…shoot me a PM</p>