First time poster, long time reader. I am a rising senior and I am looking into schools that offer either mechanical, aerospace, or architectural engineering. I am also Asian-American attending a high school in central Virginia. If you see something in my transcript that says “MESA” on it, it is because those classes are offered by the engineering academy in my school.
High School GPA W: 4.6667
SAT
-CR: 690
-M: 670
-W: 580
(Yeah, these are absolutely terrible for me. I am retaking the SAT on June 6th to hopefully bring the composite above 2200.)
Transcript
Middle School (High school credit classes)
-HON Algebra I - A
-HON Geometry - A
-Spanish I - A
Freshman
-MESA Algebra II - A
-MESA Physics - A
-Spanish II - A
-Spanish III - A
-Health/Gym I - A
-HON English - A
-HON World History I - A
-Concert Orchestra - A
Sophomore
-MESA Math Analysis (Pre-calc)/Trig - A
-MESA Earth Science/Chem - A
-AP World History - A
-HON English - A
-Health/Gym II - A
-No Credit Study Hall
-String Ensemble (Higher than Concert) - A
-Spanish IV - A
Junior
-MESA Intro to Engineering - A
-MESA Dual Enrollment Engineering - A
-AP US History - B
-AP Lang - A
-AP Physics 2 - A
-AB Calculus - A
-String Ensemble - A
-HON Biology
Upcoming Classes
-Online Personal Finance (Graduation requirement)
-AP Chem
-AP Gov
-AP Lit
-MESA (forgot course name)
-MESA Dual Enrollment (forgot course name)
-AP Spanish Lang
-String Ensemble
-BC Calculus
Extra C’s (so far):
-UVA Hospital Volunteer - 1 summer 107 hours
-Boy Scout - 6 yrs
-Math Honor Society - 1 yr
-Spanish Honor Society - 1 yr
-String Orchestra (we do stuff outside of school too) - 5 yrs
-Math Club - 3 yrs
-Personal Math Tutor - 1 yr
Achievements/Leadership Positions (so far):
-2nd Place in regional Science Fair in “Physics & Astronomy” category (more specifically trying to make X-rays applicable in developing countries; it failed, but that’s just between you and me)
-Senior Patrol Leader in Troop for 1 yr
-Currently OA representative for Troop
-Patrol Leader in Troop for 1 yr
-Concert Master in Central Virginia Junior Regional Orchestra
-2nd Violin Principal in Concert Orchestra
Hobbies/Arbitrary things:
-Building Computers
-Self taught guitar
-Self taught piano
-Co-founded the Korean Klub at my school (failed immediately)
-Co-founded the Ping Pong club at my school (shot down by admins during our first meeting)
-Tried out for the Varsity Tennis Team (turns out you have to be good at tennis)
-Joined the school’s Varsity Academic Team (quit after few months due to lack of interest)
-6’4"
-Traveled to Italy and Korea (for experience)
-Movie enthusiast
Upcoming:
-Trying to rank up to Eagle, just need one more merit badge and my service project
-Continue to stay in my Honor Societies, Math Club, Orchestra, and tutoring
-Going to volunteer at the hospital this year, hopefully get another 100 hours
-Try to get all A’s my senior year
-Get above 2200 on the SAT’s
-Take the Math II and Physics Subject Tests
Colleges thinking of applying to:
-Berkeley
-Stanford
-Columbia
-UT at Austin
-Georgia Tech
-Purdue or U of Illinois
-UVA
-V-tech
Questions:
-Should I mention some of my hobbies/arbitrary things in my application? Even as actual extracurricular activities?
-Should I mention “participated in award winning orchestra” as an achievement? Or is it too much sensationalizing?
-Am I putting down too many colleges that are reaches?
-What other colleges should I apply to?
My extracurricular’s right now feel extremely weak to me; honor societies are nothing too special, I’ve never participated in a sport, and outside of Boy scouts there is an extreme lack of leadership positions.
Don’t be afraid to be critical. And thanks for chancing me.