How does my application look?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

I am entering my senior year of high school and, although I understand it’s too late for large changes, I am curious how hopeful my application is. I am looking at a lot of schools, some top tier (MIT, Harvey Mudd, Many UC schools, Vanderbilt, etc.). I am somewhat hopeful, but very anxious and worried, about my applications and college choices. Hopefully my experience and application helps.

Testing:
Old SAT: 2020 (Math 740, Reading 630, Writing 650) 92nd percentile
New SAT: 1430 (Math 750, English and Reading 680) 98th percentile
ACT Composite Score: 35 (Math 35, Reading 34, Science 35, English 35) 99th percentile
SAT Subject Test Math 2: 760 (65th percentile :frowning: )
SAT Subject Test Biology: 670 (61st percentile :frowning: )
Will have taken 11 AP classes and tests before graduation: World History (3), Spanish (3), Calculus AB, Biology, US History, Language and Composition, Statistics, Calculus BC, Literature and Composition, Government, Physics (Have not received scores from Junior year)

Grades:
Unweighted GPA: 3.91
Weighted GPA: 4.98
Class Rank: Top 1%

School Extracurriculars:
Football (9th grade)
Wrestling (9th grade)
Track and Field (11th and 12th grade)
Cross Country (12th grade)
Mensch Club Member (9th-12th grade)
Mensch Club Representative Officer (9th-11th grade)
Mensch Club President (12th grade)
Chess Club Member (11th and 12th grade)
Chess Club President (11th and 12th grade)
National Spanish Honors Society Member (11th and 12th grade)
National Spanish Honors Society Officer (11th and 12th grade)

Other Extracurriculars:
United Synagogue Youth (USY) Member (7th-12th grade)
USY Officer (8th-11th grade)
USY President (12th grade)
Official job as a teacher at my synagogue (9th-12th grade)
Summer Camp Yad B’Yad Volunteer (7th-9th grade)
National Society of High School Scholars (10th-12th grade)
Have Run Dozens of Races (Half marathons, 5K, 10K, 10 mile, etc.)

2

You look like a competitive applicant based on your posted stats. Intended Major? Home State? How much can your parents afford to pay? Looking for merit aid?

3

I am not entirely sure about my major, but definitely in the STEM field. Mechanical, architectural, and Civil Engineering are three that I’m very interested in. I live in Arizona, I have my whole life. I go to a public school. I have to pay for college, but my parents will pay anything I can’t. That makes it so my debt is to them, not growing student loans. I don’t think I can receive any need-based aid. My home has upper/middle class income. I have a sister in college and a brother who will be in college at the same time as me, but I don’t think that is enough for us to receive need based aid. I am looking for merit aid at all schools, if possible. That is why some schools, like the ivy league schools and the UC schools are not as appealing. There is little to no merit aid and, although my family can afford it, I don’t think it’s worth it to go to a school for 70K a year. The only schools I would do that for are ones like MIT, which are among the top schools in my prospective fields.

4

UC’s give little merit aid and no need-based FA for OOS applicants, so I would cross them off the list. ASU Barrett and Univ of Arizona are two very good schools in your home state. You have a good chance for merit there. You might want to consider USC, Claremont Consortium (Pomona,Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, Scripss (if female), Occidental, LMU, Univ of San Diego (USD) to name a few California schools.
You need to run the net price calculators on each school’s website to see what kind of FA/Merit aid you may qualify.

5

Any ideas about other schools, outside of California? Or any other suggestions for anything else college/application related?

6

If you know MIT and the Ivies, you know it’s more than stats. What defines you, makes you interesting? What have you done related to engineering/math-sci, other than classes? And for the larger community?

7

Suggestions (high target/low reach): VA Tech and GA Tech, UNC Chapel Hill, Wake Forest
(target/safety): Case Western (good for STEM, gave me 3/4 ride–talk to me more if you want info)

My advice: Do not submit the SAT scores (for many of the schools you’re looking at, applicants will have perfect math and 700+CR/W, just go with ACT; try to increase your SAT2 scores–both are very low percentile wise for top tier schools; for ivies/top tiers aka anything below 15% acceptance rate, try to define yourself bc there is such a big pool of applicants that have very similar stats; try to start your essays early so it gives you ample time to revise ideas/grammar.

Again, feel free to message me on anything!

8

@onlynongenius Many competitive schools require applicants submit every ACT and SAT they’ve taken (you can find their specific policies online) That said, don’t fret about having to submit your ACT and SAT; most colleges will only consider the highest score between the two. Retake those SAT IIs though, especially for schools that require them.

Merit aid is virtually nonexistent among top schools where most applicants deserve it. I’m in a similar situation as yourself and I have tried to apply for as many private scholarships as possible. Let me know if you’re interested.

9

@pineapple86 agreed–but certainly if they have the option, submit ACT only