Early Decision Chances - Physics Major

hippoman13
Thu, 12 Dec 2013 21:09:04 +0000

My low GPA (and thus my rank) were influenced by the fact I was homeless off and on during the 9th and 10th grades.

Objective:[ul]

[] SAT I (breakdown): Did not take
[] ACT: 34 Superscored (33E, 34M, 31R, 36S)
[] SAT II: 750 Math II, 710 Physics, 710 Chemistry
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): ~3.45, Weighted: ~4.0 (Without 9th grade, this would probably be around: 3.75UW and 4.45W).
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 20% (due to Freshman GPA).
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): Physics C: Mechanics (4), Chemistry (4), Biology (3), Calculus AB (3, self study/for fun in 10th grade), English Language (3). (I was dead at the end of the year).
[] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[] Senior Year Course Load: Honors Linear Algebra w/ Set Theory, AP English Literature, AP French Literature, Honors Science Research, AP Studio Art: 2D, AP Macroeconomics, AP Government, Quantum Physics, Optical Physics, and Thermodynamic Physics at ASU.
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP awards. I’m doing Nanoparticle research for ISEF this year. [/li]
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]

[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Student and researcher at ASU. (Tutor in Math levels Algebra 1-Differential Equations, French, and Biology/Physics/Chemistry), Android developer, FoldIT Protein Folding Captain, (French Club President and past Treasurer), ASU Science is Fun presenter, (ISEF Research Group Leader), (ROTC leader during my freshman year).
[] Job/Work Experience: Kumon for during my Junior Year. Doing research may count as working…
[] Volunteer/Community service: Tutoring 15+ hours per week (see extracurriculars).
[] Summer Activities: Community College Calculus II student (10th grade). Electromagnetic Physics student and research at ASU (11th grade). More tutoring…
[] Essays: I’d say they’re nice. My English teacher highly praised my Common App essay.
[] Teacher Recommendation: I think they were both great! (French and Physics teachers).
[] Counselor Rec: Pretty good…
[] Additional Rec: None.
[] Interview: Great! I had a phone interview, (which was optional), and I was told it went very well and will help.
[/ul]Other[ul]
[] Applied for Financial Aid?: I don’t think it went through. My parents were having a few problems with the site and paperwork.
[] Intended Major: Physics
[] State (if domestic applicant): Arizona
[] Country (if international applicant): USA
[] School Type: Public, nothing special.
[] Ethnicity: White
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: ~$40,000
[] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None I can think of.

[/ul]Reflection:[ul]

[li] Strengths: 11th and 12th grade schedules. Test scores were ok, (I didn’t study). My best strength HAS to be my huge growth as a student. I was in the lowest level classes during my Freshman year and when I discovered Physics, I jumped. In the 10th grade I completed Geometry-Calc BC as well as several science classes. I took 3 AP Sciences in the 11th grade, as well as Multivariable Calc and Differential Equations. Also, most advanced French student in my school, (I’m the only one taking the class so it’s pretty vigorous). [/li]
[] What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: My experience and love in/for Physics and Math and my growth as a student.
[] Weaknesses: GPA and Rank. Definitely.
[] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
[] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
[li] Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Once again, growth and Math/Science Diversity.[/li][/ul]