I am a junior at a Specialized High School [SI Tech in NY]. Here’s a little about me;
-GPA: 4.89 [weighted] // 4.22 [unweighted]
-Awards: Received ranking in the essay contest ‘Police Commissioner for a Day’; received a group prize for ‘Best Use of Artificial Intelligence’ in a hackathon Event; Robotics Team won #1 in NY Regionals.
-Areas of Interest: Pre-Med/Engineering
-PSAT Score: I only took it once so far and I got a 1380/1520 //:
I am already taking many AP classes, I’m also the president of a helping-hands/volunteering type of club and the Vice President of the Hackathon Club… but that is it ): I don’t play sports, and my school ended the Robotics Team after my freshmen year. So now, I am freaking out about not having enough content for the ‘Academic Awards/Achievements’ part in the college applications.
Seeing my senior friends who have high GPAs and SAT/ACT scores as well as winning national engineering events/ or giving concerts in Carnegie Hall that still get rejected from Ivy Leagues are really making me worry. I was wondering if anyone could give me ideas about projects/competitions I could participate in to build up my resume. Or any other advice to increase my chances for Ivy Leagues (: I have spoken to my guidance counselor but she said she doesn’t know anything… bruh
***I know Ivy Leagues aren’t everything, however, my parents and I both have high expectations of me. So, I’m not looking for advice on ‘looking for other good state schools,’ but thank you regardless!!
I object to several things about your request.
- Ivy Leagues are wonderful but choose a place that you feel you will fit best. Using the term Ivy League generically shows that you need to look deeper into the schools and find some you feel you will fit at. Cornell is far different from Harvard, which is far different from brown, etc.
- Ivy Leagues can see fake from a mile away. Do things because you love the, not to build a resume.
By stating my area of interest and involvement in certain clubs, I assumed it would be obvious what kind of opportunities I am seeking. And I have visited all the Ivy’s, and don’t have any particular ones I prefer over the other. Since my parents want me to attend an elite + selective college, or else we will move back to Europe- yeah, I’m not particularly selective about the Ivy college I attend. Like I said, I wasn’t looking for advice on schools but on EC’s that will help me gain experience about areas I am passionate about (science+math). I can see now that my posts may look very Ivy-crazed and desperate, so but I didn’t intend for it to come off that way sorry about that.
Here is the secret: You need to make yourself stand out from the rest of the crowd. What makes YOU unique?
From reading about your activities, it seems like you are involved in Hackathons and robotics. My advice is to do as many more Hackathons and robotics competitions as you possibly can in this upcoming year, before apps are due. When the admissions counselors read your application, you want them to remember you. I think doing hackathons/robotics is pretty unique; if you can develop this passion more, I think this is your golden ticket into the Ivy’s (or other top schools).
Also, you have a golden opportunity when it comes to your schools’ Robotics Team. Can you try to restart the team, even tho your school shut it down? If you can, that would look AWESOME on your college application. It demonstrates enthusiasm, leadership, initiative, and commitment.
Thank you so much for your feedback first of all. I have tried speaking to my school about a new robotics team, but they would not allow a club let alone a whole team. So instead I found a job where I teach kids Lego Robotics. Sorry for the late reply!
There are so many options out there in term of extracurricular activities, volunteer programs, research initiatives, academic competitions, etc. that are offered around the nation. College students usually the most informed on recent or influential extracurricular activities. Do you know any college students that you can ask advice on how to build your resume? Others faced the exact same problem during their applications.
“By far the most difficult part of my college application process was finding information. I had no idea which courses were popular or what different universities looked for in applicants. I didn’t know that effective applications are narrative driven or which of my achievements to highlight and which to play down.”
Philip L., studying Computer Science @ Harvard College, 2021
“I took 10 AP classes, all the ones that i could fit in my schedule including Biology, Government, Economics, Physics C, Calculus BC, Psychology, Environmental Science, Language Arts, World History, and European History. I had been playing piano since I was 5 years old, tennis since I was 7, violin since age 13, and, in high school, I added varsity golf and joined the fencing team for the first time. I was president of Habitat for Humanity and Beta Club and Vice President of another of other volunteer organizations. I applied to Harvard early, and was accepted, but because of my uncertainty about the institution, I also applied and was accepted to Yale and Princeton as well.”
Leesa Q., studying Psychology and Government @ Harvard College, 2018
Sorry, having trouble getting past the Carnegie Hall performers & winners of national engineering events that still got rejected.
Your parents are unreasonable. Schools like Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) & Georgia Tech are Ivy League quality. As are many others. You need to expand your horizons & focus on where you want your college degree to lead you.