chances+ do I stand out?

Pjax · July 22, 2009, 7:52pm

Academics
GPA UW: 3.95
GPA W: 4.41
Class Rank: 8/280
Very competitive high school. Last 3 senior classes have sent 8+ people to ivies, and 30+ to top tier schools.

Classes (only listing core classes)
Freshman
H-Geometry A-
H-Latin 2 A-
H-English A-
H-Biology A
CP1- World Cultures (only history course offered, no honors, etc.) A

Sophomore
H-Algebra II A-
H-Latin 3 A
H-Chemistry A
H-English A-
CP1 US History (only course offered) A

Junior
H-Precalc A
H-Physics A
H-Latin 4 A
H-English A
AP-Biology A (5)
AP-US History A (4)

Senior
AP-English Lit
AP-Latin 5
AP-Chemistry
AP-Physics B
AP-Calculus BC

Standardized Tests
SAT I- Math 800 CR-740 W-760 Composite-2300
SAT II- Math II-780 Biology M-800 US History-750
PSAT- 220
ACT- 36 (Writing 11)

Awards
US History Award (08), AP Scholars Award Biology, H-Precalc Award in Exellence, “Ace Award”-Tennis, NEC All-Star-Tennis, “most Improved”-Soccer (09), National Merit semifinalist, H-Physics Award in Excellence and Enthusiasm, Bass River Tennis Team “MVP”

EC’s
Freshman
Varsity Tennis, Freshman Soccer, Marching Band, Jazz Band
Sophomore
Concert/Marching Band, Jazz Band (Tenor Saxophone Soloist), Varsity Boys Tennis, JV Boys Soccer, Math Team, Co-Founder and VP of Chemistry Club, Band Officer (Librarian)
Junior
Varsity Boys Tennis (NEC All-star), Bass River Tennis Team, Varsity Boys Soccer, Math Team, Chemistry Club (VP), Peer Mentor Program, Jazz Band (Tenor/ alto soloist), Tri-M (Musical Honor Society), National Honor Society, Co-founder Math tutoring program w/ twin, founder of Science Tutoring Program
Senior
Varsity Boys Tennis-Captain, Bass River Tennis Team, Varsity Boys Soccer, Math Team-Captain, Chemistry Club (VP), Peer Mentor Program, Jazz Band (Tenor/allto soloist), Tri-M- Vice President, National Honor Society- President, Math Tutoring- coordinator, Science Tutoring- head coordinator

Summer Activities/volunteer/job positions
Freshman
Tennis Camp/Vacation (Yeah- didn’t do much)
Sophomore
Tenacity Tennis volunteer 8 weeks/15 hours a week, Interned w/ Pharmacist at Tufts Medical Center, Volunteered at hospital- 100 hours, Helped run family business (2 sets of twins in my family, we do all the seasonal jobs in the neighborhood- winter-shoveling, summer/spring- lawn mowing), Grocer (Bagged Groceries at Stop and Shop)
Junior
I interned at the National Heart Lung and Blood Association for 10 weeks/ 40 hrs a week. Only 1/8 applicants get in. This is the top research center in America as you may know (in some aspects). I have an extremely good rec from my mentor (each researcher only has one intern). I hope that this demonstrates my everlasting adoration for science.

“Hooks”
I am a Twin…

Recs/Essay
Stunning- both teachers had me for 2 years, at great terms w/ guidance councilor

Ethnicity/location
White
Massachusetts
I have 2 sets of twins in family (A little unique), I am a twin myself

Goals
I want a pure science major

Chances?

Also, be honest. I know that when people look at these threads they check to see the grades and scores, and if they fall into the qualifying catagory they give them the “you have a chance, but you are just like the other applicants”. I really want to know: do I stand out?

UnleashedFury · July 23, 2009, 12:18am

We can’t know if you stand out because I think a lot of that has to do with your essays.

You definitely have what it takes in terms of grades, test scores, and demonstrated interest in science. What’ll make or break you is your essays, so put a lot of work into those and don’t worry so much about the stuff you posted on here. Just make sure to mention it all somewhere on the application.

Pjax · July 23, 2009, 10:07pm

k, thanks… oh forgot to mention one thing: I started the Biology Olympiad at my school and made the top 20 in the U.S…

Pjax · July 23, 2009, 10:08pm

and how could my essays break me? I am going to convey my very soul into those essays (I know, sounds cheesy)… do you mean a grammatical mistake lol?

UnleashedFury · July 23, 2009, 11:51pm

As in, if you’re essays are bad, that could break you, and if they’re good, that could make you. If they’re eh, then it’s up in the air.

I think you’ll get in if you write them well though.

Pjax · July 24, 2009, 12:13am

define “good”…I believe an essay is as good as the writers’ strength of character.

UnleashedFury · July 25, 2009, 1:03am

If you’re a good fit for Mudd, and you essays convey that, then you shouldn’t worry about it too much.

Pjax · July 25, 2009, 10:40am

alright… thanks for your comments :)

Miru · July 26, 2009, 12:21am

I’d say that your ECs are about average for a Mudder in HS, maybe better (I honestly have no idea what my peers did in high school). So, if everything were to hang on that, I’d say you’re in. As UnleashedFury said, the essays are very important , so make sure that you spend some serious time on that. Don’t spend the essay listing off the things you’ve already mentioned here - focus on one thing and make it interesting (tell a story or something) . Make it clear that you’re a good fit for Mudd.

If you just BS your essays the night before its due, as you probably have in high school and ended up with perfect marks (and you’ll still get away with it in college too…), then your application hangs in the balance. If you start it early, and get it read over by a couple people (your favorite english teacher probably won’t mind helping you out if you give it to them long before the application is due), then I’d say you’re probably in. I got in with a less stellar resume (but my essays for Mudd were leagues better than those for every other college I applied too, since it was the last application I completed).

Pjax · July 26, 2009, 11:25pm

Thanks for the input!

chances+ do I stand out?

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