High SAT, Not-so-great ECs. How?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hello everybody.</p>

<p>I am asking a theoretical question that I have in mind.</p>

<p>Let’s say you got 2300+ in SAT and 35 on ACT, loads of AP '5’s, with 770+ in 3 individual SAT subject tests (e.g. Chemistry, Mathematics II and Physics) and you have 4.0 in unweighted GPA, while you take the most rigorous course load in high school. You even interned in your local colleges in summer vacations, and joined a science club.</p>

<p>However, other than all these, you did all these because you spend all your day studying in the library. Worse of all, he’s just another nerdy Asian…</p>

<p>What are the choices for this poor fellow?</p>

2

<p>Well, this is going to make this ‘poor fellow’ hard to stand out. There are a lot of Asians with the exact same stats, and unless they have some sort of interesting or outstanding extracurricular, they will all look the same, which is not good.</p>

3

<p>This will present a serious problem only for a small number of tippy top schools. Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Stanford primarily, several of the other Ivies, and to a lesser degree some of the other top 15 or so universities. It may not present much of a problem at all for any liberal arts colleges, with the possible exception of Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Pomona … and to a lesser degree some of the other top 10 or so LACs. At many LACs, even some of the most selective ones, Asians are underrepresented compared to national universities (especially universities on either coast). Internationals also tend to overlook LACs. So they represent “contrarian” choice for Asians and Internationals, who can be rewarded accordingly in both admissions and aid by such schools. Of course, you’d still have to work hard at preparing the application materials.</p>

<p>Also have a look at top state universities other than the California schools. Wisconsin, Michigan, UVa, UNC. Download the Common Data Set for each of these (and any others of interest). Look at the percentages of enrolled Asians and Internationals, and at the amount of aid granted to Internationals.</p>

4

<p>I think UC’s donot look at EC’s much, so Berkeley or LA will be possible.</p>

5

<p>^ Not true. ECs are important for UCB and UCLA. TK2 has a good recommendation.</p>

6

<p>What about the public universities like Penn State, Minnesota or maybe… Oregon State?</p>

7

<p>Those schools would get on their knees for this student. Agree with tk, it’s only an issue at a handful oof schools. I thin this student would have no problem at any UC with an acceptable essay.</p>

8

<p>Wow. </p>

<p>Maybe for this poor chap, working hard at only science-related stuff and books will do good for him if that student concerned just sets his eyes on ‘any good college’, not just the Ivies…</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

9

<p>Given his subject test choices I’ll assume he wants to continue on the science/math path…</p>

<p>Carnegie-Mellon
Case-Western
RPI</p>

<p>The lack of ECs may hurt somewhat at these places but probably not enough to eliminate him from strong consideration.</p>

10

<p>Perhaps this maths whiz/nerd will be ok in a tech-oriented place. :)</p>