Chance Me

Random_Bob · July 10, 2007, 2:55pm

I’ve succumbed to the insecurity and want to know a SWAG of my chances. It may be long, so I appreciate y’all’s time

First, a little background:
Indian
Male
Middle class
Applying as Chemistry Major
I’m currently a rising junior. For 9th and 10th, I went to a large public school in an affluent school district known for it’s school quality. Only 2 APs were offered, of which I was only able to take 1. For 11th and 12th I’m attending a rather selective (~45% acceptance rate) charter school in which I take all of my classes at a local regional universit and which is called the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. It doesn’t rank and about 10% of the class has a 4.0.

Numbers
SAT I:
[ul]
[] superscore: 2400(800m,800v,800(11)w)
[] single sitting: 2340(760m,780v,800(11)w)
[/ul]
SAT II:
[ul]
[]Math II: 800
[]Chem: 800
[]US Hist: 800
[/ul]
APs:
[ul]
[]Human Geo: 5
[/ul]
Rank: 
[ul]
[]Freshman: 1
[] Sophmore: 3
[li]Jun/Sen: NA (4.0uw GPA)[/li][/ul]

Major ECs:
[ul]
[]Science Fair: 10th: 1st at State Team Physical, numerous minor prizes (Note: I have a patent pending stemming from this project)
[]Nat Sci Bowl: 11th: top 16 at nationals
[]Research: 
9th: Lab “assistant” at UT D
10th: Research into the effects of hydroxurea on red blood cell walls for the purpose of treating sickle cell anemia
11th/12th: Computational Chem Research focusing mainly on fluorescence (1 scientific article just submitted, have another which I should be able to get out if I’m lucky)
[]Math Comepetition: 3x AIME qualifier (scoring 4,5,4)
[li]Volunteering: [/li]250 hrs volunteering at a camp for individuals with developmental disabilities
70 hrs hospital volunteering
~80 hrs assorted NHS related volunteering
[/ul]

Others
My Achilles heel
**Essay: **Should be above average but not amazingly so.
Recs: Positive, but rather generic. Since my classes are taught by college professors, they really don’t get to know us that much beyond class and office hours, and even then, they keep a greater emotional distance.

Schedule:
Junior Year, 1st sem (15 hrs):
Honors Biology I+Lab
Gen Chemistry I+Lab
English
Calculus I
Junior Year, 2nd sem (19 hrs):
Honors Biology II+Lab
Gen Chemistry II+Lab
English
Calculus II
Linear Algebra
Special Problems (basically research)
Senior Year, 1st Sem (21 hrs)
Mechanics+Lab
English
US History (to 1865)
Differential Equations I
Multivariable Calculus
Organic Chemistry I
Special Problems
Senior Year, 2nd Sem (21 hrs)
Electricity and Magnetism+Lab
English
US History (from 1865)
Differential Equations II
Poli Sci
Organic Chemistry II
Special Problems

So what’re my chances?

Note: Judging by past years, I have a very good chance at being a Siemens Westinghous semifinalist. What effect would that have on my chances?

Yoshi729 · July 12, 2007, 12:49am

I am highly impressed by your course load although I have notices that you are taking ordinary differential equations simultaneously with multi variable calculus. This not suggested, rather you should couple multi-variable calculus with vector analysis and linear algebra then progress to differential equations. Aside from that, you seem to be heading towards a reasonably good high school from what I can discern. Your major will not affect how your application is viewed so don’t worry about it. I for one applied as a chemistry major but recently when reviewing the blue book (our course guide) found out that my interests were more geared toward MB&B (molecular biophysics). Your one sitting SAT scores are excellent, and your super score is only a few points higher than your one sitting score so obviously that will not drastically affect your chances. Your SAT II scores are perfect (obviously) though you did earn 800s in subjects with great curves so I don’t know how that will affect an admissions officer’s decision. Having a mediocre or slight above average essay will not get you an acceptance, your essay must be brilliant because to tell your the truth you will seem to be another 2400 kid and Yale has too many boring, flat, one dimensional 2400 applicants. Having bad recommendation (or generic as your so put it) will hurt your application even more when coupled with bad essays. I don’t know if Yale lifted their supplementary essay requirement but if you botch up both then kiss your acceptance letter good-bye. I strongly suggest you foster a good relationship with your research mentor and work on improving your writing skills I’m sure you have much to tell the admissions officer. Your ECs are okay at best, nothing too spectacular nothing at another applicant somewhere in the pool of 20000 haven’t already done. Being published is no longer a real strong hook, although it is a hook none the less. Getting 4s and a 5 on your AIME is weak and not overly impressive. I myself scored in the double digits (not a 10 but higher and I won’t divulge my score because it’s easy to track AIME scores back to a person) junior year and high single digits in freshman and sophomore. Being a Siemens semifinalist is okay but again nothing that another applicant somewhere doesn’t have. You really need to go back to the drawing boards and work on establishing yourself as a person, you certainly have many multiple achievements spanning across several fields but all in all they really don’t truly say anything about the most important aspect of an application: you. Good luck.

Random_Bob · July 23, 2007, 12:57am

Well that sucks, though I guess I have no one to blame but myself for being so very passion lacking. I will have another ~120 hrs working with people with disabilities by november, but I guess that’s also a rather common thing. As for the math courses, You’ll notice I’ve already taken linear algebra (it was a prereq for dif eq) and vector analysis requires dif eq I. And what do you mean by curves on the SAT II?

Anyone else want to take a look at my chances?

lobgent · July 23, 2007, 11:23am

You’re a rising junior and you’ve already taken the SAT more than once??? Whoa, there buddy.

I probably would’ve been happy with the 2340. That’s really good for a sophomore.

Random_Bob · July 23, 2007, 12:13pm

Whoops, meant rising senior.

justanotherkid · July 23, 2007, 6:05pm

i’ve gotta agree with yoshi729. All you’ve got on that app is math+science. While that’s not a bad thing, there really isn’t anything unique to someone of your academic caliber. Not to beat on a dead horse or anything, but passion IS the number one keyword for college these days. Again, not that it’s bad or anything, but math+science is pretty generic for people at your level of academic prowess. As for chances, I think your academics alone will give you a good shot, if your academics are among the best of the science and math people who are also applying. But this year’s SCEA at yale really is a roll of the dice. Good luck =]

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