<p>Hi, I’m new on CC. I am somewhat of an unusual applicant for colleges. I’m quite lopsided as far as interests go (hence my name). I suppose this isn’t atypical for someone with aspergers- I was diagnosed when I was 9. Anyways, here is some background- I took AP exams in Calculus AB, and Statistics when I was in 8th grade. I have been excused from taking HS math courses since and have taken math (as well as some physics and chem.) courses at the local state university through open enrollment (pay- per class) as well as from Stanford’s EPGY. I have recieved A’s in all my university level math classes with the exception of one, I took these college classes during the year as well as (sometimes) the summer. But here’s the thing… I’m a junior now and my high school GPA sucks. Last time I checked, it wasn’t even a 3.0. I love math but I hate school, i’m a bit lazy though I’m extremely well motivated if i’m interested in something. Here’s my “resume”-</p>
<p>GPA: <3.0
SAT-1: M-790, V-710, W-680
AP tests: 6 tests all 5’s (my school does not offer ap classes btw- I self studied mostly)
University Classes taken during HS-
Calculus II(class wich I recieved a b- grrr), Calculus III, Intro. to Proofs, Intro. to Analysis, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis (EPGY), Abstract Algebra (EPGY), Differential Equations, Differential Geometry.
Non-Math University Classes-
General Chemistry w/ lab, Intro. Organic Chem., Modern Physics, Analytical Mechanics part 1 (EPGY), Introductory Biology w/ lab (at a junior college to help prepare for an AP test), I now read a lot of philosophy of biology (mosly michael ruse’s books)</p>
<p>Other & EC’s
-No sports currently, though I’m pretty athletic and work out regularly at the gym. I did however earn a black belt at the age of 12.
-Been playing violin on and off since I was 10, though I take weekly lessons now. I’ve composed a few pieces and had them recorded by a quite well known music producer (emmy nominee) when I was 14. I have been teaching myself piano for about 6 months, though I have gained proficiency quite quickly.
-Participated in John’s Hopkins CTY after 8th and 9th grade. (took Psychology and Philosophy and got good eval’s)
No community service of humanitarian like stuff and I’d really rather not…
Took the WISC at 12 was tested at an IQ level of around 150 (though the Wechsler only goes up to 160…) and became a Davidson Young Scholar.</p>
<p>Anyways, what are my shots (if any) at top schools (Harvard, Princeton, MIT,Caltech)- I plan on majoring in math obviously. Given that I’m so nontypical and varied what should I be shooting for? Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate it!!! </p>
<p>um… ok I can’t rail on you for you GPA because mine isn’t much better. But
Harvard: huge reach… sort of unlikely, they look for students who not only have a special talent but ALSO have excellent grades.
Princeton: big reach
MIT: I dont know, I mean you probably do have a shot there with all your math background
Caltech: same thing.</p>
<p>I would DEFINITELY add some more likely schools:</p>
<p>Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Rice (still a bit of a reach)
Grinnell
U of Chicago (still a reach)</p>
<p>add some state schools as safeties and I think you’ll be just fine.</p>
<p>About the community service… seriously? You might be surprised at how fulfilling it is once you try it. To be crass, it does look good on an application. Just try something, volunteering at local soup kitchen, help organize something, etc.</p>
<p>I don’t see a chance at Harvard (well-rounded students/social community). MIT will be a high reach. Your GPA and EC’s are weak. Although you are a lopsided student, I don’t see any national accolades in those categories. It’s going to be really tough unless you manage to win a nationally recognized math competition in the near future. </p>
<p>Quite honestly, they don’t care how high you claim your IQ is, and thus they never ask for it either.</p>
<p>Remember that many of the top schools try to create a true community in their students. I’m not saying you’re not an extraordinary being, but they want a holistic group that will very directly alter the world around them. If your application indicates you think highly of your own talents and that you “choose” when to and when not to apply yourself, it often comes off as arrogance. I understand the challanges from a medical standpoint, but a college wouldn’t want to create a class of students that enjoys solitary study and chooses when to respond to leadership. </p>
<p>That being said, top schools do indeed suck up very few students based on their intellect’s potential. Logically, every school wants to be accredited for nurturing the next possible Einstein. They also know, however, Einstein was not necessarily the ‘smartest’ man of all times.</p>
<p>I really hate to say this- because what you have done so far is impressive- but your lack of well rounded-ness and your GPA will hurt you in some admissions offices. It appears that you have the SATs, certainly the courses (that is some crazy math stuff to be doing in HS, Im only in AB Calc )
Also, the fact that you DONT like community service is not good at all. MITs motto is Mind and Hand! They want to see you take what you have learned and apply it to something worth while.
Also, what other courses are you taking in HS? Im not seeing any humanities- which is typically a requirement…</p>
<p>Anywho, based on the information you have given and what I know</p>
<p>Harvard- Reach: It is for everyone
Princeton- Reach: From alumni I have spoken with, they are very involved with ECs, community service etc.</p>
<p>MIT- Reah: Mind and Hand. They are a service orientated university, and they want community service.</p>
<p>Caltech- Reach/Low Match- They did not appear to be as outward facing as MIT, your strong math/science background might be enough to get you in.</p>
<p>Good Luck! I hope I did not sound to harsh. </p>
<p>I might consider community service, though I won’t go crazy with it.
I have been taking humanities- English, History, electives courses, languages, (which is high school)which I won’t bother listing- these are the classes which my bad gpa is derived. I only listed a few universities, so I’ll make a complete list of my ideals, please chance the following-
Harvard
Stanford
Princeton
Yale
MIT
Caltech
Berkeley
UC Santa Barbara (College of Creative Studies)
UPenn
NYU
Cornell
McGill
Harvey Mudd
Carnegie Mellon
UCLA
University of Toronto
Oxford
Cambridge
Warwick </p>
<p>I may also look into participating in mathematics competitions, which I haven’t done yet…</p>
<p>Don’t mind the CCers chancing you as if you were just a regular candidate. You are obviously a special case. It is not easy getting A’s in all those college level math classes and a 790 in math, not to mention 5s on all of your AP tests without even taking the courses. What I see looking at your credentials is someone who is bored to tears by the tedious high school regime but has incredible potential for research in college. You will be a reach for top 5 schools like most applicants, but I can definitely see you getting into some top 25 schools based on your outstanding test scores.</p>
<p>All of the schools you selected are reaches, however the best luck because you never know how things turn out until you try.</p>
<p>Btw in regards to the UK universities other then Oxford and Cambridge many UK schools like to see American students do a year of school in the US before applying, due to the diffrences in curriculum. So if you want to go to a UK school I would consider that as an option.</p>
<p>haha well ur kinda like me! except my gpa isnt that low and my sat scores arent that high. despite that, i think u have some good things to back it up with: aspergers, college classes, and advanced levels of math. however, i did not get into my first choice-nyu. i gave them a disability statement, i have taken 28 units in college…mostly liberal arts to get my transfer curriculum done…but idk if that counts if i took it before graduating hs. and i was gonna take calc 3 and 4 becuz i luv math too except i failed out of calc 2 and withdrew from the course with a W on my transcript. i think its cuz my teacher kinda sucked; he gave us hw and i did evrything…and got horrible grades on my exams wich were 80% </p>
<p>but anyways…u shud write ur essay about ur disability or provide a disability statement like i did. also, u can write about ur passion in math or better, something u did as community service that wasnt recorded. like helping ur dying grandpa through alzheimers or sumthin. lol idk but that might help out ur extracurriculars. oh and write about how ur unique in the sense that uve advanced in math or sumthin : ]</p>
<p>Anyone willing to chance the other schools I listed will be greatly appreciated, I will give back an extra good chance to them. Anyways, can you also give me schools that are “in” or “match”- please don’t be sarcastic by listing community colleges or anything like that- I will not chance these people back.
I’ll look into RPI.</p>
<p>i dont know much about other schools that u want to go to but i know a lot about NYU cuz that is my first choice but i didnt get in. however, ive been stalking the threads. soo…nyu’s applicants who are usually accepted get over a 3.2 unweighted gpa. due to ur circumstances, u might slide by with ur disability and ur outstanding advanced classes such as calc 3. altho, i had a disability statement, and didnt get in. my sat score was significantly lower than urs…but they LOVE high sat scores for sure. wich could win u the spot. i think they care a lot more about high sat scores rather than high gpas cuz that was definitely not me: i had a low sat score and high gpa. even tho u dont have any extra curriculars, a grl with a 36 on her acts got in without any e.c. becuz she explained she did a lot of private extracurricular activities: drama, violin, etc. </p>
<p>as for UCLA…thaat might be a reach. 92% have a 3.75 or higher and the sat scores are around 1800 for the lowest i think. u might want to look back on college board but i know my scores were the minimum for UCLA and i got an 1850. that being said, UCLA looks for high GPA, not as high SAT score. </p>
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