(Asian-American)
Current GPA: 2.7 UW (upward trend)
Current SAT: 1480 (800M /680 ERW)
ECs: Korean Club Board, Science Club, DECA, JSA, Philharmonic Orchestra etc.
IB Diploma Candidate
HLs:
Chemistry
Business Management
English
History
SLs:
Math
Spanish
My courseload throughout all 4 years was super intense, like super comparable to the people who intend to apply to HPY at my school, and even though I feel like I achieved significant learning outcomes out of that courseload, my actual performance in those classes was terrible, especially Freshman and Sophomore year. The problem I am posed with is this, the composition of my application is much stronger in some areas than it is in others. I have extenuating circumstances (severe family and personal crisis), but I did learn from those experiences as well as through my own difficulties in school. How should I draw up a list of schools to apply to and identify good fits, safeties (if there are any holy moly), and reasonable reaches? Do I start bottom up? How much do I weight the power of my GPA, SAT, and ECs?
I’d prefer to stay on the West Coast where I live, but I’m open to new ideas.