How Am I Doing? Anything Left to Do?

Applying to College
1

Hello Everyone,

I am new to CollegeConfidential! I’m glad to be part of the community. What I sorta wanted was to get some feedback on what I’ve done so far-but first, a little about myself! I am a 17 year old Punjabi Sikh Indian in Beaverton, OR. I have a passion for business and Computer Science, and plan to do a major/minor combo or a dual degree.

I have a couple “dream” colleges, a couple colleges which would be OK for me, and then two or three safety schools. My top dream school is the M&T program and the University of Pennsylvania (Dual degree in Computer Science and Business). This is the school I plan to apply during the fall in Early Decision. My other dream schools include Harvey Mudd, Stanford, MIT, Carnegie-Mellon, University of Washington (direct admission into Computer Science) and UC Berkeley. Other potential OK colleges for me include UCLA, USC, and University of Texas (Austin).

In terms of qualifications, here is information copied from my resume. Let me know how I’m doing, and if there’s anything left! I’m looking forward to some good discussion.

Thanks,
rohansguliani

Education:
-School of Science and Technology, Beaverton, OR, September 2012-present
-Portland State University, Portland, OR (LINK Scholar), October 2014-present
-Reed College, Portland, OR (Reed Young Scholar), August 2015-present

Course Highlights:
-AP Exams: “5” received: Calculus AB, Statistics, Physics B, Computer Science A
“4” received: Language and Composition, Chemistry
-College Classes, “A” received: Calc III, Calc IV, Linear Algebra
-Sat II Physics, Chemistry: Received 1580/1600
-GPA: 4.00 unweighted/4.324 weighted
-ACT 34 (English 34 Math 34 Reading 34 Science 35)

Work Experience
-Reed College Research Reactor, Summer 2014 (Internship)
-Awarded Radiation Safety Officer Certificate; qualified to handle Radioactive Material
-Kaiser Permanente, January 2014-Present (Volunteering)
-85 cumulative hours
-Beaverton School District, TeacherSource Mobile Application Implementation, Summer 2015 (Internship)
-Intel Corporation, User Innovation Experience, Summer 2015 (Internship)

Extra-Curricular Activities:
Speech and Debate (National Forensics League)
-450 current National Forensics League points; awarded “Degree of Distinction”
-Two-time State Tournament participant; Semi-Finalist Parliamentary Debate 2015
-Two-time Varsity Letter (2013-2015)

Verizon App Challenge:
-Awarded Best of State and Best in Region 2014

Science Fair
-Awarded 1st in Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical Beaverton-Hillsboro Regional Fair 2014
-Awarded 1st in Biochemical Sciences Beaverton-Hillsboro Regional Fair 2015
-Awarded 3rd in Biochemical Sciences State Fair 2015

BPA National Science Bowl 2015
-Named All-Star competitor

Others
-Founded basketball club in school
-Co-president of computer club in school
-International Sikh Youth Symposium 2013: Awarded 1st in City and 2nd place in NW Region (Seattle, WA)

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UPDATE: LOL I’m a rising senior btw and will be applying the coming school year. Haha.

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I’m impressed. Not only are you involved heavily, but you stand out in everything you do (you have received awards, varsity letter, placing in science fairs). It is clear that you have a passion for science and you have a good chance at even very selective schools you want to go like MIT (in my opinion). I don’t have anything for you to improve that is extremely urgent, either.

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You have very well rounded and unique ECs and solid grades. As long as your essays are great, you have a shot at any school.

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@diane11 @virsha24 Thanks for your positive responses guys! That’s really encouraging. I had a couple more specific questions:

  1. Is it worth taking SAT II Math 2 just to add it to my course highlights? I have already done two subject tests, and that's what most if not all colleges are looking for. Practice will be needed, but it's definitely achievable (considering I'm done with Calc IV!)
  2. Should I retake the ACT with the intention of increasing my composite by a point? I know personally I can do better in Math with some practice, but is increasing my score by one point worth it (in the math category specifically and overall)? How significant is the jump from a 34 to a 35?

One reason for asking these questions is because these are both achievable if I spend some time this summer, but it can detract from other things that are personally much more enjoyable (internships, personal time, etc).

Thanks a bunch!

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  1. Yes, most colleges would like to see a math subject test. I do think it would be beneficial to take the Math 2.
  2. No, one point is not worth it. 34 is a great score.
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@rohansguliani if you want to apply to top schools like MIT, the math 2 is required for application consideration along with another subject test. you have to take it regardless.