<p>So I’m just a junior right now but I’ve pretty much got the rest of my high school academic experience planned out, as long as I don’t mess up anything too bad. I go to a fairly typical public school.</p>
<p>Top Choice: Columbia, probably won’t get it but it’s fun to dream.</p>
<p>Alternatives to Columbia: Vandy, Berkely, UVA, Emory. Still great schools that I may very well not get in to.</p>
<p>Safeties: UTK, Ohio State</p>
<p>Academics:
4.0 UW GPA
3 APs taken (Human geo, US Gov, Chem; 5, 5, and 3 respectively)
Taking 6 this year (Calc BC, Macro, Micro Econ, English Lang, US history, and Psych.)
Taking 4-5 more senior year
32 on ACT
214 on PSAT, should be enough for semi finalist in TN
1/~300 class rank</p>
<p>ECs:
TN Governors School for Computational Physics (summer 2012)
Established my school’s chapter of Mu Alpha Theta and currently serving as pres.
Established my school’s chapter of the NHS, pres. of that also
Competed at the Pro2serve math competition at UTK (nationally recognized math competition)
Team captain of Scholars bowl team (member from freshman year onwards)
Member of French club (executive council, sounds a lot fancier than it is)
All-Conference track and field, hold 2 school records
Member of Interact club (community service club)
200+ hours of com. service, not sure exact number
2x all-east and 1x all-state choir
Choir section leader (baritone represent) </p>
<p>So how does that look? I’m mostly worried about ECs, I can get my test scores up.</p>
<p>It really depends on your essays and recs, but apply EA to slightly improve your chances. You have a good chance if you can produce a focused, cogent application. What do you want to do? If it’s Physics, join an internship or research project at a top university, impress the professor, and have him write a letter of rec. Then Columbia will come down to low reach or even high match. </p>
<p>I expect you to make it to at least one ivy. </p>
<p>Vandy - match
Berkeley - match if OOS, low match if in-state
UVA - low match
Emory - low match</p>
<p>Should have a very good chance at Berkley and Emory. I don’t know the rest, but in my school the average for Emory is 3.8 UW and 1386/1600 SAT. You are above the average GPA and SAT in my school at least for acceptance. IF you go to a good school you should have no problems there.</p>
<p>Berkley cares a lot about GPA, and you can’t argue with a 4.0 UW.</p>
<p>Vandy seems to care a bit more about SAT/ACT scores than other schools (a quick google search for “average SAT scores at vanderbilt” will show this). If you get your ACT up you will be accepted for sure. Even with a 32, you stand a very good chance</p>
<p>Your ECs look great, you shouldn’t be worried.</p>
<p>OOS for Berkely, which really sucks. I primarily went to that particular Gov. School to get experience in programming and calculus (which I definitely did). I’m looking at majoring in Comp. Sci or Math, also looking possibly at an Econ major. Are there any internship/ research programs you would reccommend?</p>