Intended Major(s)
Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering (only for MIT)
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
3.91 UW
4.2 W
Class Rank: no rank
ACT/SAT Scores: 1580, 800 reading, 780 math
List your HS coursework
English: English I, AP Seminar, AP Lang, AP Lit
Math: Geometry I, Algebra II, Precalc, AP Calc BC, Multivariable Calc
Science: Living Environment (summer), Chemistry, AP Chem, AP Bio, AP Physics I
History: Global History I, AP World, AP US History, AP Macro, AP Micro, government
Foreign language: 3 years of high school level Spanish
Arts: 4 years of symphonic band, 3 years of jazz ensemble (a class), Music Theory I, AP Music Theory
Other courses: Science Research 10, 11, and 12
Awards
3rd Place Grand Award Winner at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
Finalist in major environmental advocacy competition (international, thousands of applicants)
US Air Force Award for Achievement in STEM
3rd Place in major green tech design contest, received 10k
Honorary Citation from County Executive for advancement of minorities in STEM
Additional Info: National Merit Finalist, Co-author in journal publication with a 24 impact factor, 2nd place at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair, 1st place poster presentation at conference event, 3rd place at regional JSHS fair
Invited to the US Capitol this May for green activism awards
Extracurriculars
Science research (lab internship, much of my hours are spent here)
Working musician
Environmental activism (participated in NYC climate week at UN affiliated events)
Theater (all four years of high school, cast and pit pianist for productions)
Hospital volunteering
Assisted professor in creating a college course (grad level)
Columbia Science Honors Program
Music volunteer at nursing/assisted living homes
Essays/LORs/Other
I’ve been told my personal statement is very strong, can’t say for sure though. I have a distinct writing voice (as an avid reader), so I think my supplemental essays are strong as well.
I have a very strong LOR from my research mentor
LORs: Haven’t read my science one, but my music theory teacher emphasized how collaborative and kind I was in a school that focused mainly on competition.
Congratulations on your fabulous acceptance to Fordham with great financial aid! That’s wonderful.
As you know, many of the schools remaining on your list are reach schools for just about everyone. So…just be patient and wait and see.
You know you are accepted to a great college already…so any additional acceptances are a bonus. Good luck, and please do let us here know where you go to college!
Agreed. The OP will need to think hard about whether she wants an engineering major. Fordham did just get a $100 million donation dedicated to beefing up its STEM offerings, and there is a 3-2 engineering option with Columbia. But if I were seriously considering an engineering major, I would choose a school that actually has engineering.
Hi! I applied to MIT as that major because of their amazing materials science/nanotech center. I applied everywhere else as chemistry, since I have a general interest in it, but I know for a fact that I’m continuing nanotech research in college. I’m not sure what my current career path is (grad school, PhD route, business), so I want to keep my options open.
I’m unsure about Fordham… I don’t think I want to become an engineer, so that Columbia program isn’t for me. I do have a comment above talking about my research plans in college, and I want to pursue that as much as possible. I don’t think I’ll have as much access to that at Fordham versus other schools.
It will come down to - wherever you get in $350k vs $0 at Fordham. Or perhaps some others give you a little aid. That’s a huge savings that simply can’t be made up just because a school is a bigger name.
Unfortunately given the current government wiping out PhD and other funding, no longer can one count on that.
But that’s longer term. But they have shocked the system - at least for now.
Thank you so much! It’s hard not to get swept up with prestige in such a competitive environment, but I’m truly happy that I have a solid safety net (that’s free!)
