<p>Hi,
In fact, this is not so much a quick look. LOL sorry. I’m a junior in high school and these are my stats so far. I scored a 2160 on the SAT in December 2011 ( 700m, 700cr, 760wr…i am going to take it once more). Have been on the swim team since freshman year and have received Varsity all three years. I am also on the volleyball team and received Junior Varsity during my freshman year and Varsity my sophomore year. During this years season (starting in spring), I might be recognized as an All-Area player if i do well. BTW i’m 6’1 and 160 pounds. By the time i graduate, i should have 7 years of varsity sports (4 swim 3 volleyball). I had a 4.2 gpa freshman year, 4.3 sophomore year and i will probably get around a 4.1 or 4.2 this year and next year; so my final gpa should be around a 4.2. I’m part of my schools Key Club, Asian-American Club( I’m indian), and PUSH Club (Prevention Using Student Help). I’m in National Honor Society and have maintained High Honor Roll all of freshman year, and Honor Roll sophomore and junior year. My course load includes only honors and ap classes from freshman year with the exclusion of physical education, lunch and study halls. Currently, im taking APUSH and AP Bio and the rest of my classes are honors. I volunteer at my local temple by tutoring younger children math and at another local religious organization. Clearly, my EC’s arent that strong but i have a pretty decent SAT score, gpa, and sports. What are my odds at ivy leagues and other top tier schools? Do i look well rounded to you?</p>
<p>You look like an attractive candidate for lots of selective schools. Check the common data set for each school you are interested in (section C usually has the stats for the admitted students) to see how you stack up. </p>
<p>Being well-rounded is neither a plus nor a minus. Schools are looking for kids who have something interesting to contribute to the student body. Well-rounded doesn’t necessarily add anything since the top schools will want the kids who are stellar in their specific ECs, in addition to being top students. So, if you are doing activities that you don’t enjoy because you think it looks good or helps you look well-rounded, don’t bother. Find a few things you really care about and put your time and effort into them. Not only will you get more out of those activities, but you’ll be a more attractive candidate. On the other hand, if you like everything you do, then don’t let the application process drive who you are.</p>
<p>Thank you M’s Mom for your input. Insightful indeed. Your right about top schools caring about kids who have something to contribute. I will try over the next year to focus in on a few things and commit to them 150% instead of spreading myself to thin.</p>