Chance for Vandy, UPenn, Duke, Princeton?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>GPA: 3.7 UW/4.3 W
Rank: 2/129
SAT: 640 CR/600 M/630 W Jan 2014
630 CR/720 M/680 W June 2014
ACT: 30 (32 Eng/28 M/34 R/27 S/29 Combined) June 2014
33 (35 Eng/33 M/35 R/29 S/31 Combined) October 2014
SAT II: 660 Chem, 700 Math 2 </p>

<p>ECs:
Captain of Dance Team, member since 8th grade (about 800ish hours over 5 years)
Captain of Science Olympiad, member since 6th grade
Secretary of French Club, member since 9th grade
Cast member in Drama Club since 9th grade
JV Captain/Varsity Alternate for Quiz Bowl, member since 9th grade
Math Team member since 9th grade
Model UN member since 9th grade
Student Government member since 9th grade
National Honor Society member since 11th grade
Volunteer at hospital 68 hour
Conducted original cancer research over summer at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School 320 hr
Attended a former PA Governor’s School in 2013</p>

<p>Awards:
Carson Scholar Recipient
Top 17% of Moody’s Mega Math (M3) Challenge
13 Science Olympiad medals, including first place and state
Tribune Review Top 50 Outstanding Student award recipient
Distinguished High Honors all semesters of HS
Published in magazine in 9th grade</p>

<p>Other:
Principal investigator of my research wrote a very good recommendation letter; he told me that I was comparable to fellows/ Ph.D.s he has had in his lab before and that I gave a very good presentation in front of other Ph.D.s, PIs, and parents
Success of Science Olympiad team led to proposed Science Olympiad class
I tested out of a required computer course as a freshman and took a more advanced version previously only for upperclassmen; now it is available to any interested student
Lab assistant to chemistry classes; one teacher is the Science Olympiad coach, will receive very good recommendation
Very good recommendations from other teachers/counselor as well</p>

<p>So far, I have been accepted to the University of Pittsburgh Honors College as a Pre-Med student.</p>

<p>How does the community of CC believe my application will fare as I apply to Vandy, UPenn, Duke, and Princeton? I realize that they are incredibly difficult to get into for any applicant, but I am curious as to how I compare nationally and/or internationally since I come from a really small school where no one has even applied to a few of these schools before. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Sorry, forgot something that might be important! I’m mixed race, Asian and Caucasian.</p>

3

<p>They are all pretty much reaches.</p>

<p>Princeton is a likely rejection. If you apply early decision to the others with a 33 ACT, you will be in ballpark (but towards lower end). All would be tough regular decision.</p>

4

<p>Love the fact that you are a Carson Scholar. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>I think you are special and original. I do not know of many small town girls who have worked on cancer research with PhDs…</p>

<p>You are very unique. It is difficult to chance you because you are not like most cookie cutter kids with a 2200+ SAT or 34 ACT with a 3.9+ GPA and a number of ECs…</p>

<p>I think given your eclectic application you will be most likely denied from most, but I have a feeling one or two out of the 5 or 6 you apply to will most likely accept you (out of the ivies and stanford and such)</p>

<p>Your stats are very impressive coming from a small school. Generally at these public schools and private schools kids are more aware of the competition. But when you are competing with 60 students, it is very difficult to become motivated. I think you should be proud of yourself.</p>

<p>True, your scores are below average, but I don’t think you are average. You should not compare yourself to most other applicants. I am very confident that you will be accepted at a top 15 school. Apply to several, one will take you. </p>

6

<p>I think given your unique qualities, it is very important as a candidate such as yourself to write extremely good essays. They will make or break your acceptance for sure.</p>