Legacy to Brown, Penn Environmental Science
**, no rank - top 5 to 10 kids out of 210 if I had to guess
Unweighted HS GPA: 4.0
Weighted HS GPA (incl. weighting system): 5.02 (as of mid junior year) - weighting is out of 5.00 but with A+ could be a 5.1 as of mid junior year technically -
ACT/SAT Scores: 36
Coursework
*only APs offered, no IBE - currently 12 APs, but by senior year 19 APs (or post APs), ; will take multi-variable post-AP by senior year, all other courses honors (taking as rigorous an AP scheduled as permitted)
-5s in all APs except 2 4s
Awards
Published in NY Times from contest - 1st place
National Award - Scholastic Writing Award and National Medal Award
International Science Fair - 1st place
National award from national writing contest
will be National Merit semi-finalist
-lots of various school grade awards for English/Science/Language
-National Science Honor Society
-National Math Honor Society
-National English Honor Society
Extracurriculars
*science research focusing on environmental science for three summers
-Varsity Sport (four years, fall season only)
-Leadership positions at school
(President Orchestra, Judicial Committee, Lead Diplomat)
-300 plus volunteer hours related to environmental science
-started website with over 10,000 views in six months
-published novel that was featured in national charity newsletter
-teen advisory board of national 501(c)(3)
-No financial aid
Essays/LORs/Other
Should be strong recs from two core subject teachers and one rec from woman I work with volunteering
Match me!
Legacy at Penn and Brown but hoping for HYPS if possible.
If that is one of the major competitions, like ISEF, and if by 1st Place, you’re referring to the top Grand Prize award, then the award, when combined with your GPA and SAT, it would be surprising if you didn’t get into one of the HYPS schools.
If, on the other hand, 1st place was a 1st in one of the ~ 25 or so categories, or if the Fair was considerably less prestigious than ISEF, then your overall chances would be more in line with your stats - could very well be enough for HYPS, but could just as easily not.
Thanks - not ISEF - one of the others. I’m doing more independent research studying endangered animals at a random state school with a professor. RSI doesn’t really do environmental science unfortunately. I’ll try for Regeneron next year, but it’s too late for college app.
Congratulations on all your accomplishments during high school! The SHYP schools are definitely possibilities for you, and I think your odds are definitely greater than their application rates, but I would still consider them low probability for acceptance since because there are so many strong applicants who apply with such a small number of spots (in comparison) available.
If your username reflects your real name, I would suggest that you change it:
Your stats are amazing! Grades are exactly what the Ivies are looking for, and your awards are national level. It’s clear that your spikes are science and writing and you have won some pretty impressive things in those areas. Penn takes legacy way more seriously than Brown, so I would recommend applying early decision to Brown to make up for that.
I’m thinking you would get into brown, uPenn, and Dartmouth. Harvard and Yale maybe if you have that early decision boost.
You are an incredible student and I can see your passions and hardworking. I wish you all the best!
Also if your novel was published traditionally that also boosts your application a lot as colleges love to see that. Even if it’s not it’s still an accomplishment but just something to note if it is.
Thanks - sadly no - I got this amazing agent, but the whole process was taking too long! It has sold a few thousand copies but definitely self published! : )
That many copies is so impressive. My sister is in 10th grade in high school and I’m a Freshman at John Hopkins but I was waitlisted to Harvard. She’s also really into writing so this whole application excited me a lot. You should be so proud of your self, I wish you all the best!
Congratulations on your accomplishments! You will be a competitive applicant at many colleges. I’m sure you know that all the colleges on your list are reaches.
I can tell you that Penn has been quietly doing away with legacy preference* so your chances of admission may not be as good as you hope. This reduction in legacy preference was a hot topic of conversation among alumni board members at a private event I attended last summer. You can also search previous decision threads and see how many legacies were rejected last cycle.
CC wisdom says that your counselors at your private high school will be your best source of information. They will be able to better estimate your chances of admission to your desired colleges. Best of luck to you!
*unless your family is a major donor and/or influential family
Why would you recommend applying ED to a school that is not her 100% first choice? ED is a binding decision, and if accepted, would force her to pull her applications to HYPS.
OP, do not apply ED to any school that is not your top choice. HYPS have SCEA- pick one of your top schools to apply SCEA.
I agree with both of these comments. Your GC wil be able to overlay your info vs the broader context of your schools historic placements, the value of your legacy status and or if it will be lost by not going ED, and where other students are likely applying (and their legacy status).
There likely won’t be a “perfect” answer but a suggested path given what you prioritize. Make sure to be honest and thoughtful with the GC and ensure you discuss things with your parents in advance.
You are a great candidate and have lots of options. I would focus your attention on getting the most informed and best advice from your parents and GC versus lots of advice which may just confuse things.
Thank you! I have to figure out what my first choice is. Every college has so many advantages and disadvantages. I’m trying to get a good sense of the cultures on each of the campuses because they are all so distinct.
You should be so proud of your self, I wish you all the best!