I am currently an Asian Male (socioeconomically well-off) sophomore attending a top 100 California public high school.
On the academic side, I have taken basically the highest courses possible for me, and below is my course schedule:
9th grade:
- Spanish 1
- Biology Honors
- Health
- Algebra II Honors
- Concert Band
- English Honors
- Marching Band
10th grade:
- Spanish 2
- Chemistry Honors
- World History
- Precalculus Honors
- Symphonic Band
- English Honors
- Marching Band
So far I have gotten all A’s in ninth grade and I believe that will continue to happen for first and second semesters of this year. (Junior Year and Senior Year I am planning to take AP Physics I, AP Physics C, AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Calculus, Multivariable Calculus, and AP Literature)
I have taken SAT BIO, and I got a 780, and I am planning to take SAT I/ACT next fall, and SAT Chem and SAT Math II in June and May.
On the extracurricular side, I feel like I am fairly weak, but I will leave that up to you guys because I am not an expert on this.
Here is my list of extracurriculars:
- Radio Host (fairly popular station)
- Volunteer for my congressman and volunteer for his follow-up student organization to help bring change to my district (had low leadership program for both (like committee member, writer for newsletter etc.); I believe I can increase that)
- Writer for a Marfan organization (uncle had Marfan and that is the real reason why I like that topic)
- Member of school marching band and external marching band
-> On the club side: - Medical/biology club from ninth grade, editor for writing club from ninth grade, MUN from this year (won one award)… I am quite dedicated to these clubs and I feel like I can get leadership through these.
I have also participated in two lab-based biotech camps @ UCB, and have met quite a few professors that I feel can be beneficial in the future.
The opportunities at colleges like Ivies, UMich, UIUC, JHU, UCLA etc. are nearly boundless, and with those academic and social opportunities, I really want to mold a programming/biology pathway so I can get involved in the rising biotechnology/computer science field.
I believe I am currently doing solid academically, but I am weak on the extracurricular level to make those prestigious colleges, and I just wanted to see what are my chances, if I continue to follow this pathway, and what changes I need to make to get into these aforementioned universities.
Thank you so much, and Happy Holidays!