<p>Alright so obviously as a sophomore this is somewhat preemptive and there are a lot of unknowns so bear with me. So my dream dream school is Stanford but I seriously doubt I’m getting into there. My somewhat less dream is Cal Berkeley. I’m probably going to apply to UT Austin, A&M, Stanford, Berkeley, Georgia Tech, Purdue, maybe a few others. Onto the qualifications. I’m a white (non-Latino) sophomore from a suburb of Houston. This year I got a 215 on the PSAT, hopefully it will improve the 4 points for national merit next year. I go to an extremely competitive high school (it draws most of the best students from the 3 junior highs nearby). As of right now I’m 25/694, but that should rise as I take more APs (I got one B freshman year that’s killing me, but we have weighted GPAs out of 6 points). I would predict I graduate roughly 11-12. I’m fluent in Spanish, and have (or will have gone on) several mission trips around Texas and possibly one to Latin America. I’ve been on a rowing team for 2 years, and did well at a competition or 2, but I’m quitting after this year (I don’t like it, have the time for it, etc.). I’m part of Destination Imagination, and will likely go to the state or even global competition at some point in the next 3 years. I attend tours of technological companies in the area often (Baker Hughes, Nuclear Medicine research facility, etc.). I’ve gone on 2 3 week Summer Learning programs to Stanford (not sure if that helps). I’m going to have taken essentially the most AP classes possible, numbering around 14 by the end of high school. In the summer of junior year I’m doing an internship at Huntsman Chemicals, and may get a job at Mathnasium or something similar. I have a basic education in Java, but nothing special. Basically, what colleges am I qualified to get into? What things can I do that take a relatively short amount of time to improve my resume? Thanks for any answers. (Note: I’m planning on chemical engineering as of now)</p>
<p>I think its important to develop a passion and pursue activities to demonstrate that passion. Stanford is interested in people who do things because they want to do them, not because they want to fill a resume. Your grades/test scores are high and you already have quite impressive extra-curriculars. Keep doing what you’re doing, but do something that you love! Then when you fill out your application, make sure to emphasize it and show them that you are NOT the average over-achiever. Show them you are something more.</p>
<p>For Stanford, see these posts:
<a href=“My Parents want me to Apply Early at an Ivy - #32 by Data10 - Parents Forum - College Confidential Forums”>My Parents want me to Apply Early at an Ivy - #32 by Data10 - Parents Forum - College Confidential Forums;
<a href=“My Parents want me to Apply Early at an Ivy - #34 by Data10 - Parents Forum - College Confidential Forums”>My Parents want me to Apply Early at an Ivy - #34 by Data10 - Parents Forum - College Confidential Forums;
<p>For Berkeley, if you have all A grades except one B in frosh year in a rigorous schedule, and SAT scores that match your PSAT scores, you have a decent chance of admission (“match”), although subjectively evaluated things like essays in the holistic review make it not possible to accurately predict. But the hard part may be affording it as a non-California resident – financial aid will not cover the $23,000 per year additional out-of-state tuition.</p>
<p>If you keep your rank, UT Austin and Texas A&M should be safeties if you can afford them.</p>
<p>The generally stupid but in my case helpful thing about Texas is for UT Austin 7% and A&M 10% get automatic admission.</p>