<p>Hi, what would you all say about my college list? </p>
<p>I’m applying on a strong academic math/science background. I’ve done various math/science competitions:
Rank 1 out of 520, National AP Scholar, NMSF, 2290 SAT, 34 ACT, 800 Math IIC, 750 World, 720 Biology (retaking for 770+), 700 Physics (retaking for 770+).
AMC 12, AIME, JETS, Math League
2 research projects (math and physics) that I’m currently finishing up and sending to competitions
President of math club, captain of robotics team, Summer Science Program, Ojai 2009</p>
<p>But I’m also very involved in other activities including:
Hospital volunteering (400 hours): I’m on the leadership board
Student government: I go to school board meetings, etc. (2 years)
Varsity cross-country, track (2 year varsity letterman)
<p>Is 15 colleges too many? Should I take out some?
I really want to get into MIT, though I am not a very good essay writer. It’s difficult for me to express myself and my interests in what I do, my experiences, how I see the world through my essays. I’ve written a first draft of 2 essays, but they aren’t good at all. Do any parents here have any advice? I know adults tend to write better, since they have so many more life experiences, etc. that could be used in their essays…</p>
<p>You should contact the cross-country coach at MIT. There’s no athletic recruiting there like there is at other places, but if you’re a good runner, it may help.</p>
<p>I can’t really tell what kind of educational experience you’re looking for, based on your list. It looks as if you just compiled a group of high-status schools. What do you want?</p>
<p>I would drop Harvard, Yale, Brown and Williams, unless you have specific things about them that you love. </p>
<p>I would also apply to more UC’s - Davis and Irvine at least to get to a true safety.</p>
<p>As for doing the MIT essays, go to their website and look at “The Match Between You and MIT”. Brainstorm a list of everything about you that would make you a good match. Then brainstorm some more. If you do this, I predict your essay topic will come to you.</p>
<p>Bummer…when a school is only taking 10% of applicants, you don’t want to come up short on the one piece of the application that can really add flesh to the bones of dry statistics. Let’s hope that you’re just being modest. Definitely agree that looking at other essays might give you some thoughts about how to show the adcoms something very personal and special about you. </p>
<p>Otherwise, have colleges on your list that love kids with high statistics. I’d be surprised if you didn’t get into one or all of your UCs on your list. But to be on the safe side, I’d one more UC a tier down–UCSB, UCI or UC Davis.</p>
<p>Having a science paper to submit to MIT and Caltech would definitely help your cause. Good luck.</p>
<p>You have way too many reaches, IMHO. I would add Harvey Mudd as a “safety” and Chicago, as a match, because you are also applying to Columbia. And if you are NOT a Calif resident[ what is IE?], then Berkeley and UCLA are just as big a reach for you as HSPYM are. If you are applying to UCLA, then you should add U Southern Calif as a true safety, and get your application in by Dec 1 to qualify for their 1/2- full tuition scholarship program for top stat students. [FYI,An early application to USC will NOT prevent you from applying SCEA, because it is required for scholarship consideration]</p>
<p>Agree that you have too many reaches. Consider adding a school like University of Rochester for a safety where you are likely to get merit money.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t consider Mudd a safety. It’s small and attracts a lot of apps from engineering/other quants, so you just never know if you’ll be accepted.</p>
<p>Still would click off one more UC one tier down (only extra work would be the click another box and pay $60). 14 applications are a lot of work, especially for someone who doesn’t write well. Even with the Common Application, colleges ask for extra stuff on their school specific supplements. </p>
<p>Putting the list in perspective, from other posts I know tomjones is applying through QuestBridge. Quite a few of the schools are QB partners. I think he is looking for schools with good FA as a major consideration. </p>
<p>For all your prospective colleges, tomjones, I’d recommend checking their websites to see if they have financial aid calculators specific to that school or info on how much FA families in your income range typically receive. That could help you whittle down your list.</p>
<p>as mini stated on the first page of that memorable thread
“What went wrong is that he (and you) didn’t choose a safety, and fall in love with it. The safety is ALWAYS the most important school on the list.”</p>