Changing one thing

Chance Me / Match Me
1

I am a rising senior from Michigan.
I am an Indian male from a competitive public school.
I have enlisted in Naval ROTC and my first choice school is Stanford
Second choice is the University of Michigan, third choice Harvard.
I understand that my grades are pretty average for an Indian male applying to such elite schools, but will my leadership roles and dedication outweigh my flaws.

SAT I: 2340

ACT: 36

SAT II:
Math ii - 800
Physics - 800
French w/ Listening - 800

Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.86
9 S1: 3.67
9 S2: 3.85
10 S1: 3.67
10 S2: 3.95
11 S1: 4.0
11 S2: 4.0

Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A

AP (place score in parenthesis):
Calculus ab - 5
World History - 4
Physics C Mech. - 5
Physics C E/M - 4
US Government - 5
Music Theory - 4

IB (place score in parenthesis): Taking IB HL English
AP Courses taken: Calculus, Physics, Government, World History, Music Theory, French Yr. 1
Senior Year Course Load:
AP Calc ab
AP Physics C
APUSH
IB HL English Yr.2
AP French Yr. 2
Physics Course at Community College
Adv. Swim
Band

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Google Science Fair Regional Finalist
National Honor Society
National French Honor Society
National Merit Semi Finalist {most likely, score is high}
FRC Dean’s List Semi Finalist

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

Key Club [President]
-one of largest and oldest clubs at school
-became youngest President, earning spot as Junior
-blanket drives for soldiers, thousands of cans for local charity
-book drive in Africa
-worked with Navy seals

FRC Robotics [Captain]
-State champions
-Chairman’s presenter, highest award, youngest on team to present, since 10th grade
-State Chairmans
-led summer robotics program
-spend over 15 hours a week

Science Fair
-developed research with partner to help disabled swimmers
-Google Regionals
-won several other local awards

Senior Class [Vice President]
-elected by popular vote
-raised over 6K junior year, 15K cumulative over 4 years

Marching/Symphonic Band
-Drumline
-band is top in state

Ultimate Frisbee
-club sport
-top 5 in state

National Honor Society [Historian]
-elected by popular vote
-numerous hours
-in charge of a block of 60 people

FLL Mentoring
-mentored a middle school robotics team for 3 years

Drum Lesson
-2 years

Job/Work Experience: Summer job at Kroger for 2 summers

Volunteer/Community service: 200 for Key, 100 for Robotics, 25 for NHS

Summer Activities:
Internship at Ford Motor Co.
tons of key work
robotics off season
band camp

Essays (rating 1-10, details):
starting, have some good ideas

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Excellent most likely

Teacher Rec #1: French teacher, will be very good
Teacher Rec #2: Gov teacher, will be good
Counselor Rec: probably solid
Additional Rec: v. good, from official Key org
Interview: N/A

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No, Navy covers tuition
Intended Major: Biophysics
State (if domestic applicant): MI
School Type: Top public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~200K

General Comments: BUMP

2

sorry 200 hours for robotics
100 for NHS

3

You do realize that Stanford doesn’t have Navy ROTC, don’t you? It’s actually through the Berkeley program and the travel time is not insignificant.

4

I know that
I was able to select stanford because the program cross enrolls at UCB
as for travel time, I understand it is a commute, but I’m very interested in attending stanford

5

Because…?

6

that’s just what i what i want to do
besides that issue, any other opinions

7

^The sass is real. Alright, let’s get down to it.

GPA and test scores are good, and the upward trend is noted. I notice that some of the classes you gave AP scores for are part of your senior course load–have you already taken the tests or did I miss something?

Extracurriculars are strong but looking a bit like a laundry list. You may want to trim the fat so your application looks less padded: choose the activities you think you’ve shown the greatest achievement in and present those alone. You’ve achieved a lot, but a long list of activities you’ve had little involvement in waters down the overall impressiveness of your accomplishments.

So to bring up the good point that @JustOneDad brought up above: why do you want to attend the schools you mentioned (and in that order)? What is the allure of Stanford over Michigan over Harvard? They’re very different schools in size and location alone, and a good fit at one is not necessarily a good fit at another.

8

I apologize
Senior year course load consists of AP Calculus BC and AP Biology instead of calc ab and physics c
And Why Stanford?
I’m interested in getting out of Michigan and finding new experiences on the west coast.
I really like the vibe Stanford provides, am very interested in some of the courses offered.
Many of the activities there supply my growing interests.

9

but will receiving a nrotc scholarship improve my chances at stanford?

10

No.

11

Stanford: Low reach
U of Michigan: match
Harvard: Low reach

You have good EC’s but they aren’t extraordinary enough to get you into a school like harvard in my opinion – usually to get into those schools you should do something closely related to your majors. Perhaps writing some sort of research paper or being a finalist in a very prestigious STEM competition like Intel.

Either that or be a double minority.

12

What happens if you lose your NROTC Scholarship or get tired of the commute? How will you pay for Stanford?

13

My family can afford
I don’t see why I would lose the scholarship

14

As long as you have a backup financial plan. There are many reasons why you might lose a ROTC scholarships…some are out of your control…such as medical reasons. In addition (and I think as well as @JustOneDad) is that the commute to Berkeley is going to be a PITA and you may decide that it just requires too much time/effort. Maybe not initially…but over four years your time investment increases. If your parents can handle the cost of attendance…by all means give it a shot. Worse case scenario…you still attend Stanford…but on your parent’s dime.
Good luck!

15

yes i totally understand that
ty

16

You have a solid chance at U’Mich, harvard and stanford are reaches for anyone but i’d say low reach
“My stats are average” are you kidding!

17

You have great grades and scores, which automatically make you a competitive candidate, but your extracurriculars seem to lack focus and aren’t particularly stellar. That being said, I’m sure if you present yourself in the best light possible, rock those essays, and get shining recommendations, you definitely have a shot. Good luck!

18

your grades and test scores are excellent, your ECs are pretty good although not excellent, the fact that you’re an indian male might be a bit of a drawback but if your essay is interesting enough then you should have a pretty good chance apply but also have some fallback scenarios best of luck!

19

Great stats Haha!. The Ivies are always reaches, I think you’re just fine!!!
(Chancing back from JHU ED)

20

I think it’s safe to say that UMich is a shoe-in with your stats.
But like that other dude said, Harvard and Stanford are reaches for everybody, but I think you have a good chance.