Looking for constructive criticism

Colleges & Universities Stanford University
1

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): awaiting results
[</em>] SAT I superscore (breakdown): NA
[<em>] ACT (breakdown): 34. 34 E, 34 M, 32 R, 35 S
[</em>] ACT superscore (breakdown): 35, 34 E, 35 M, 34 R, 35 S
[<em>] SAT II: math II: 800, U.S. history 750(forgot to answer 8 questions) chem. 730
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8
[<em>] Weighted GPA: 4.56 (#1 has ~ 4.65)
[</em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4/760
[<em>] AP (place score in parentheses): AP U.S (5). AP Eng Lang (5), AP Psych (4), AP Spanish (4), AP chem (4), AP calc BC (5) subscore (5), AP Euro (5).
[</em>] IB (place score in parentheses):
[<em>] Senior Year Course Load: Multivariable Calculus (college), AP Bio, AP Physics, AP Stats, AP Eng Lit, (graduation rqs- consumer ed, gym, ceramics) Office Aide, AP Bio Lab Aide
[</em>] Number of other EA applicants in your school: don’t know
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):[/ul] Questbridge college prep award, AP Scholar with Distinction, </p>[/li]
<p>Subjective:[ul]
[<em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Math team 9-present, won awards in regionals/state competitions(no leadership positions available), Scholatic Bowl 3 years, Key Club 3 years (President), Track 9,11, Volleyball 9,11. 29-0 JV 2011 season,
[</em>] Job/Work Experience: Paid intern (project management, web designing), Kumon Math and Reading Center (Summer 2011 – present)
[li] Volunteer/Community service:[/ul] Local Mosque, through Key Club, Tutoring, Tzu Chi Bhuddist Organization, other seasonal volunteer opportunities, family responsibilities </p>[/li]
<p>Other[ul]
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): IL
[</em>] School Type: Public
[<em>] Ethnicity: Asian (Pakistani)
[</em>] Gender: Male
[<em>] Income Bracket: <50,0000
[</em>] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):[/ul] Immigrant, moved here in 5th grade. Family of 9, rent home, tough economic situation. </p>

<p>Reflection[ul]
[<em>] Strengths: good test scores, Rigorous course load (only kid at my school with this many APs) , tough economic situation
[</em>] Weaknesses: Some B’s, nothing extraordinary in EC I guess
[li] What would you have done differently?:[/ul]<br>[/li]Questbridge Essays for National College Match:
1st one an narration of my life. Starts with me in Pakistan and then chronologically describes the hardships I’ve faced, but there is humor and the overall tone is positive. Has an overall theme though, so it’s pretty solid.
2nd is about discrimination with some humorous anecdotal evidence
3rd starts with a descriptive day during summer, which transitions into my family responsibilities, which are around 20 hrs/ week
Recommendations
AP Bio, Ap Eng Lang, Ap U.S teachers
Basically, besides chancing me, I would like some request as to how I can improve my chances, through it’s a bit late in the game. I’m applying to this college through the National College Match through Questbridge, but any advice on Regular Decision would also help.</p>

2

<p>If you’re only looking for constructive criticism, I would say your EC’s are particularly weak.</p>

3

<p>Well, any advice/criticism would help, but constructive criticism would help the most. Will these weak EC’s hurt my chances by a lot? How should I approach my essays/application to limit their harm? I’ve mentioned my family responsibilities and transportation problems in my essays, will these lessen the harm?</p>

4

<p>Okay I will give you TOTAL honesty!</p>

<p>So, at first glance you seem like a great applicant, however, your EC’s are weak. EC"s mean a lot during the college admissions process, especially to a university like Stanford, because the show your interests outside of academics. Your application doesn’t stand out from the other 34,000 in ANY WAY! You seem like a “cookie-cutter” Asian applicant. I don’t see you being admitted. However, this is just my opinion.</p>

5

<p>Wow, I have to disagree. I’d say that if you loaded any more on, you wouldn’t have any time for sleep. You seem like a really impressive person : ) On that note, the admissions officers focus a lot on the character of the individual, and the essays are key for that. If anything, perhaps spend some time with your counselors/English teacher on them (if you haven’t already).</p>

6

<p>I think your stats are fantastic and your EC’s may appear weak only because there’s no clear area where you show a special dedication to any particular area/focus. Perhaps thats because you had to work to help your family. Thats fine and colleges understand that and appreciate teenagers who have to have employment. That works in your favor. However, since that then becomes your area of focus make sure your essays detail your passion for helping your family and making a life in America. </p>

<p>Good Luck you can do it!</p>

7

<p>Update: I am a Questbridge finalist! I’ll be sending the materials to Stanford by November 1st as it is one of the 3 college I ranked. I don’t know how much weight the QB finalist status carries. Any of you know of previous QB applicants?</p>