Completed independent coursework/research on quantum computing applications in finance
Attended a quantum computing conference
Presented research on future applications of quantum computing
College Coursework
General education coursework: N/A
Major preparation coursework: N/A
Awards
Commended Student — National Merit Scholarship Program
State Scholar Award
College Board National Scholar Award
National Honor Society
Extracurriculars
Founder & President, High School Investment Club (2025–Present)
Founded and lead an investment club focused on fundamental analysis and financial literacy.
Organize meetings, investment discussions, and educational workshops.
AI & Quantitative Finance Intern (2026)
Collaborated with mentors to develop Python-based sentiment trading models and explore applications of AI in financial markets.
Summer Research Intern (2026)
Designed projects addressing environmental and community challenges through programming, data collection, and hardware integration while working with research mentors.
High School Robotics Team — Co-Lead Programmer & Co-Lead Notebooker (2024–Present)
Co-lead competition robotics development in C++.
Manage engineering documentation, maintain design notebooks, and interpret technical drawings.
Quantum Computing Club & Independent Study (2026)
Tutored club members.
Completed independent coursework/research exploring quantum computing applications in finance.
Participated in a quantum computing conference and presented research.
Selective Business Summer Program (2026)
Participated in a competitive summer program focused on business, finance, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Financial Modeling & Trading Research Project (2026)
Independently developed algorithmic trading systems using Python, Pandas, Matplotlib, and financial-data libraries.
Conducted research involving quantitative analysis and financial modeling.
Senior SAT Tutor, Schoolhouse.world (2025–Present)
Provided 100+ hours of SAT Math and Reading tutoring to domestic and international students.
Worked with accounting and financial-management software while supporting organizational finance activities.
Band Member — Youth & School Ensembles (2022–Present)
Perform with school and youth ensembles at concerts and community events.
Essays/LORs/Other
Essays: 8/10
Letters of Recommendation: 8/10
Other: Strong overall focus on finance, quantitative analysis, computer science, AI, robotics, and emerging technology. I have a 1520 SAT at a school with an average SAT of around 1060, along with a 4.00 UW GPA and a rigorous AP course load.
Schools
Assured (100% chance of admission and affordability):
N/A
Extremely Likely:
University of Maryland, College Park — Finance
Likely:
Virginia Tech — Finance
George Mason University — Finance
Indiana University Bloomington — Kelley School of Business
Toss-up:
University of Virginia — McIntire/Commerce
University of Richmond — Finance
William & Mary — Finance
Villanova University — Finance
University of Maryland, College Park — Finance (if applying to a particularly selective business pathway/program)
Lower Probability:
University of Michigan — Ross
Georgetown University — McDonough
Carnegie Mellon University — Tepper
University of Notre Dame — Mendoza
New York University — Stern
UNC Chapel Hill — Kenan-Flagler
Emory University — Goizueta
USC — Marshall
Northwestern University
Duke University
Dartmouth College
Brown University
Low Probability:
University of Pennsylvania — Wharton
Cornell University — Dyson
Yale University
Princeton University
Application Plans:
N/A
Scholarship/Affordability Considerations:
N/A
Would appreciate feedback on my chances, especially for the finance/business programs. I’d also appreciate suggestions for schools I should add or remove.consider that in chance estimate.
Assured (100% chance of admission and affordability):
The top five Wall Street feeder schools that dominate the undergraduate recruiting pipeline for trading: Harvard, UPenn (Wharton), Columbia, Cornell (Dyson), & NYU (Stern). Consider a few of these schools as potential replacements if not already on your current list.
You should drop the number of schools on your list to 10 or 12: perhaps 4 low/lower probability, 4 toss-ups, & 4 likely.
Your SAT & AP scores are great! I would make room for a physics class senior year, honors or AP. Also, AP Macroeconomics would be a beneficial class for you to take, if offered.
Did you study Spanish or just speak it ? If so, how many years (of one foreign language) did you study ? That answer could impact my “chance me” below.
Cost constraints N/A meaning you can afford $400k or qualify for need aid ?
I agree UMD is likely. Even finance.
I would put GMU as safe and while they don’t have the auto admit anymore, IU Kelley as safe too.
Va Tech is too in theory although some say certain counties in VA struggle but you’re well above your school. I’d put W&M as likely.
I’d imagine UR is likely. But yes, UVA a toss up - and it’s not direct admit. So you can go to UVA but doesn’t mean you’ll get McIntire.
Agree with the rest and your list is too long - I’d cull it.
Agree in understanding if finance - or physics or CS or something else is better - but you might end up with schools from Rutgers to Fordham to Stevens Tech (depending on the major).
I think you’ll have choice with your list but unless you want GMU (the only really definitely), it wouldn’t hurt to add a Rutgers or Ohio State or UGA like - just to get another hefty admit. You might also look at Arizona State IBIS. I don’t think you need them but it would just provide another layer of protection.
I’m interested in options market making and the broader world of trading and capital markets.
Coming from a family of engineers, I’ve developed a strong analytical and quantitative foundation, including through honors physics.
However, I’m not interested in pursuing a traditional quant career or working primarily on quantitative research.
My goal is to start my career in investment banking, build a strong foundation in markets, valuation, and deal-making, and eventually pivot into an active trading role at a hedge fund.
Given this goal, a finance major at a recognized college can work. But if you are admitted to one or more of the most selective colleges on your list without a finance major, the next most common major is Econ. But other majors can also work if you can demonstrate the necessary finance knowledge during interviews, which you can learn through finance clubs.
Here is the College Transition feeder list - per capital. It will have names, like Babson, Bentley, Fordham and W&L you may not have considered. Your list is great but as I noted earlier, you have drop off from the known names to GMU. You likely are ok with those but if you want a little buffer.
Applied mathematics, business/management, computer science, economics, engineering, finance, physics, and statistics are all possible majors that can lead to a trading career. You are interested in doing quantitative research. Is an MBA degree part of your ten-year plan, if known?
With that said, I would encourage you to pare down your list. That is too many apps…you won’t be able to do that many at an A+ level. I would get your reaches down to a max of eight.
For the schools that offer unrestricted EA you should make that deadline. Are you thinking of applying ED anywhere?
You should also ask yourself if you want to take secondary biz school admit risk like at UVA. McIntyre admission is holistic, which means you can have perfect grades and be in the right clubs and not be accepted. You need a backup plan if that happens. If you really want to major in finance, why take that risk?
You have good ECs, make sure to quantify those where you can…e.g., how many students in the investment club? How many students did you tutor in Quantum Comp Club and total number of hours? What was the acceptance rate of the Summer biz program? Etc.
I would consider adding Fordham to your target list, as some posters mentioned above.