Hi guys,
I know that this forum won’t exactly be a perfect means of predicting the future, but I’ll give it a shot anyway.
I’m thinking of studying Mechanical Engineering or Economics at MIT or trying to get into the Wharton school of business at UPENN, but I’m not sure if I will get in. If not, do you all think I will have a chance getting into the Asian studies program at Stanford or Penn? I am currently a junior, so some of these stats are subject to change, of course, but you don’t have to take that into account.
Ethnicity: Korean-American
Test Scores: 230 PSAT, 2400 SAT, 770 SAT II Chemistry, 800 SAT II Math
AP scores (so far) - 5 AP Chemistry, 5 APUSH, 5 AP Calc AB, 4 AP Spanish, 5 AP English
GPA: Unweighted: 3.7 (Here’s a factor that may weigh me down a little, as my GPA isn’t up to par with my test scores)
I took 1 AP class sophomore year (only AP class offered), and 4 APs junior year (out of 5 APs offered)
4 year water polo player (3 year varsity)
Nationally Ranked cellist (Not going to go into specifics for the sake of anonymity)
Also won a few small cello competitions
Brought a Korean NGO to my school that helps with the issues in North Korea
Going to do independent study involving Korean history next year
Got a history paper published to the Concord Review
Wrote for school sports newspaper freshman year
Assistant Sports editor of school newspaper sophomore year
Head Sports editor junior year
Going to be Copy editor senior year (helps out with final draft)
Summer Activities: Did a writing camp sophomore year, received college credit for an engineering class over this summer,
interned at a small business sophomore year, learned Korean with a korean tutor over sophomore and junior summer.
In my opinion, I seem to be a little bit all over the place, with not too much of a focus in select subjects, so this may bring me down as well. Please be as brutally honest as possible, and thanks in advance.
You have already achieved the 2400 SAT or you plan to? Normally a student would have decided upon either engineering or economics or asian studies. If you are a nationally ranked cellist that would count as exceptional talent and prove quite helpful in admissions. Your GPA is extremely low for someone with a 2400 SAT or for someone applying to MIT or Penn. Is there a story behind your GPA? Upward trend, bad freshman year, death in the family. If you are not an URM, athlete, or legacy, colleges will expect a 3.85+ to go with your 2400. My D this year had a 36 ACT and only a 3.8 UW GPA. She got into all her safety and target schools with great merit aid but did not get into any of her reach schools. Look at Parchment or Naviance at the scattergrams showing ACT or SAT vs UW GPA and admissions decision and you’ll see what I mean. You can create an interesting application with your Korean heritage and your EC’s but your GPA will be a liablity
Your grades - wayyy low. You will have to explain in your essay why your unweighted is 3.7. Expect to explain.
Leadership - you don’t have much leadership experience in general
Cello - Its great that you’re interested in cello and good at it. Unfortunately, classical music/orchestra is very standard for Asian applicants. What makes you different?
Those are my only criticisms. Everything else seems good.
Thanks for the reply. I already have achieved the 2400, thankfully. To be honest, there isn’t really any excuse I can give. I just didn’t try as well as I should have on certain classes, so this will obviously be a liability as you have said.
Congratulations on your test scores! I have to agree with the comments previous to mine. Your GPA is slightly low, and Penn does weight GPA heavily. I would advise that you focus your ECs more on what your intended major is. You seem very involved in your school’s publications, and i don’t see a direct connection to why engineering/business. Maybe talk about it in your essays? Despite this, you are a very talented student and I wish you luck as I am also applying to Penn on a Business/Pre-Med track.
As a former extremely serious 'cellist who studied with many world class teachers (a long time ago), I have no idea what the term “nationally ranked cellist” means. Feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss this.
Sorry for the lack of clarity. Obviously there aren’t rankings, but what I meant by that is that I have placed pretty high in a competition on a national level.
You are a competitive applicant.
I disagree with a the poster saying the OP does not have leadership experience. What is leadership? Presidents of clubs?
Again, feel free to PM me details if you want to. I’m not sure how advanced your 'cello is or where it fits into your long term picture. Are you at a level where you think you could be competitive for top conservatories if you were so inclined? If so, a supplement may be helpful. I think you need to organize your ECs a bit, and try to give a clearer focus.
Sadly, my school doesn’t give a rank.
Yes, I am taking all the APs that my school offers except for 1, which is AP Bio, as I wasnt interested in the subject.
I live on the west coast
and finally yes, my grandfather was actually born in North Korea, and North Korean issues as well as Korean culture (North and South) are both topics that I am very passionate about.
Well other than your relatively low GPA, you seem to check all the boxes for prestigious schools. Perfect SAT Score, national ranked musician, paper published all seem to align with prestigious schools.