I'm a very unusual applicant- chance me

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<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, 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>

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<p>First off, I really have no clue, but so take what I say with a big grain of salt. </p>

<p>I would say it depends on the school. I’m not sure if the Ivy’s would accept you, but I’ve never much been interested in them so I haven’t really studied up on thier stle a whole lot. But it seems like in the huge flood of outstanding students, they do want passions, but they still want applicants who are mostly balanced.</p>

<p>But, from what I know, your weaknesses might be more excused at schools that favor your strong sides. Top Tech schools like MIT still want you to have community service and writing skills but might see you as an interesting candidate instead of simply a lopsided one. I assume you want to major in math anyway? Why not look away from Ivys (which I think are unnecessarily hyped up) and twords a school that would be more geared to your interest- like Caltech. </p>

<p>It still might be a gamble, but you do have “reasons” behind your unbalancedness. As a student also in an unusual situation (2 time cancer survivor) I would hope colleges take these things into account. </p>

<p>In your case, since you really know what you want to do(I have no idea!!!), I would research best programs instead of best schools. There might be some hidden gems. I know my mom works as a secretary for a world famous professor - just won an incredible lifetime achievement award and ha million in grant money for studing subjects like the probability of paths of flames in vacuums.) And he works at the University of Texas- not Caltech or any other tech based school. </p>

<p>Anyway, again hope it helps, but you might need to get some other opinions too…</p>