Smart Underachiever for top schools?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>SAT Reasoning: CR 800 / Math 800 / Writing 790 (January sitting)
ACT: 30 (not submitting)
Subject Tests: Biology 780 / Physics 800 / Literature 760 / Spanish 800 (Biology in sophomore year, Physics and Literature in March, Spanish in October)
GPA: 3.7ish/4.3 scale (4.3 = A+)
Class Rank: top 20%
School Type: Competitive Public in Florida</p>

<p>AP Exams:
Biology - 5 (sophomore year)
Statistics - 5 (sophomore year)
Chemistry - will take this year
US History - will take this year
Spanish - will take this year
English Language- will take this year
Calculus AB - will take this year
(my other courses are honors physics, honors environmental science)</p>

<p>Tentative senior year schedule: AP Euro, AP Physics, AP English Lit, AP Spanish Lit, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology</p>

<p>Achievements / Extra Curriculars
Tennis (since I was four)

  • Captain (this year and next)
  • Three-time first singles county champion
  • All-state
  • Four Star Recruit (I am not going to play tennis in college though)
  • I’ve only lost one match in my conference and county (three losses total out of county and conference, the other two have been in the round of 16 in the state tournament)
  • I stopped playing USTA this year because it’s been too time consuming, but sophomore year and freshman year I stayed around the top ten or so in my state
  • I teach little kids how to play tennis at my club and also give lessons for free as a part of a program in my community to help kids get active. I have around one hundred hours of service from this.</p>

<p>National Honor Society (11,12)

  • President</p>

<p>Spanish Honor Society (10,11,12)

  • Treasurer</p>

<p>Red Cross Club (9,10,11,12)

  • Vice President</p>

<p>Math Team (9,10,11,12)

  • President
  • I’ve gotten a few awards for this at local county/conference competitions, nothing particularly amazing like USAMO or anything but it’s not bad</p>

<p>Hooks:

  • Tri-Lingual (legitimately trilingual: English, Spanish, Hindi). My Spanish and Hindi are fluent enough to read books written completely in Spanish and the Vedas translated to Hindi respectively.
  • Father has legacy at Penn Wharton
  • Mother has legacy at Penn Wharton</p>

<p>Anti-hooks:

  • Indian ;_;
  • There will be nothing at all in my recommendations about my work ethic academically</p>

<p>Recommendations:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>I’m getting one from my Spanish teacher (who is also my tennis coach): the last recommendation he wrote me to get me into a “scholarly tennis tournament” a while back talked about how he wanted his daughter to be in every way like me. I think I’ll be good with him.</p></li>
<li><p>The second is from my calculus teacher (my homework grade is literally a zero in this class; it counts as ten percent of the grade… so I figured that if I don’t do it, I’ll get hundreds on all my tests and maintain a ninety. It’s worked so far). This may be a liability.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Anyway on to why I actually posted this thing. My transcript is literally all straight A-'s (which is why the GPA is a 3.7 on the dot). I kind of hope my scores speak for themselves though, I just fancy sleep over work. I live in California and am looking into the ivies (not sure specifically which ones, but I know for sure I am applying to Penn), Stanford, and Berkeley.</p>

<p>I haven’t had any disciplinary violations for falling asleep in class or anything but I’ve been late numerous times and I have no idea if thats going to show up on my transcript or not (moving around really isn’t my forte, unless it’s on a tennis court). My teachers all love me as a person, not sure if they love me too much as a student… My test scores are all hundreds, but my homework generally borders around a 50-60% (except in Spanish, where everything is more or less perfect, and Calculus where it is a zero)</p>

<p>I have no doubts that I’ll get into Penn with double legacy and my scores, but how is this smart underachiever stereotype going to play out at other colleges? Thanks. And please no “ARE YOU CRAZY YOU DONT DO ANY WORK AT ALL THINK OF HOW AMAZING YOU COULD BE!!!” posts; I know how amazing I could be. If anyone works hard they can be amazing, but I have my priorities set straight (not so straight for some people), stress doesn’t do anyone any good.</p>

2

<p>I definitely would not get a letter of recommendation from a teacher that teaches a class you put no effort in. If you really have no other options, I would choose a new teacher that doesn’t know you next year in one of your senior classes and work very hard in the class. Try to get to know the teacher, and get him/her to write you a letter.</p>

<p>I agree with you that you’ll get into Penn. To be honest, if you get 5’s on all of the 7 (!) AP classes you’re taking by the end of your Junior year, I think that will counteract your (somewhat) low GPA. It will show you really know the material, even if you don’t do all the busy-work. To be honest, a 3.7 isn’t a bad GPA considering you will graduate taking 13 AP classes. That may be the most I have ever heard of anyone taking. </p>

<p>If you scrounge up two good rec letters, get 5’s on your AP exams, and maybe get a slightly better GPA first semester senior, I think you’d have strong chances at any school.</p>

3

<p>From what I hear, the fact is that great test scores don’t make up for a mediocre GPA. HOWEVER, given your double legacy status, INCREDIBLE scores and solid, though not necessarily Penn 100% GPA, you’ll PROBABLY (NOT 100% sure) get into Penn and most of the Penn equivalents. Still, focus on your essays and recs.</p>

4

<p>I think you may have a chance at HYPS but it’s not definite, i don’t think you have a chance at MIT and Princeton and Harvard might be high reaches for you. No one really cares how hard you tried and i wouldn’t include it in your essay because it would definitely have a negative impact. Besides it depends on how your school curriculum was and the SAT’s are good but it’s not that big of a deal, the SAT is easy it covers 8th grade topics.
Not too strong ec’s, most top universities don’t care about NHS or Spanish honor society. Honestly i think all ivies are going to be a high reach. By the way no one cares about how whether you do your homework or not they look at your overall grade and frankly 90s don’t look so good.
I would say maybe in at Penn but the ivies and other top 20 schools- no. There are plenty of smarter people that actually work hard and to be candid there is no evidence that you are indeed that smart considering calculus is easy as are most high school AP courses.</p>

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<p>To clear things up, I live in California, not Florida. I didn’t want people figuring out who I was when I started writing the post but then decided that California is probably too big to pinpoint any single junior.</p>

<p>“Besides it depends on how your school curriculum was and the SAT’s are good but it’s not that big of a deal, the SAT is easy it covers 8th grade topics.”
If that’s the case, then a 2390 wouldn’t be something that most people would give up a left nut for.</p>

<p>“By the way no one cares about how whether you do your homework or not they look at your overall grade and frankly 90s don’t look so good.” This isn’t something I was going to include in essays or anything; it was just to explain to people why I don’t bother with the homework.</p>

<p>Also, learn to type coherent English kthnx.</p>

<p>cookietime and newengsocsci, thanks for the constructive advice. </p>

<p>Question- This has probably been asked thousands of times on here, but do interviews actually affect the chances of admission? And for anyone who has had one, do they give you a chance to explain possibly blemishes (i.e. my straight A-'s) in your record?</p>

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<p>The alums conducting your interview do not usually see your application.</p>

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<p>There is an undertone of an assumption that the most selective colleges react to a combination of top scores and less than stellar GPA positively:i.e, really smart kid, not challenged, will do great here. More likely they think: we’re overloaded with top score achievers, we’re looking for evidence of initiative and perserverance (not consistent with lesser GPA and high scores).</p>

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<p>chaoticorder doesnt know what hes talking about. The fact that you have a 2390/A- average w/ hardcourses and you’re are a tennis star will greatly impress colleges. Even if you didnt play sports you could get into ivies but your tennis ability shows how well rounded you are. You have a good chance at all top ten schools.</p>

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<p>i would not give a left nut for a 2390, though a really good score, i got a 36 on the ACT. By the way do you think i really care how strangers online view my grammar skills, i only use grammar when appropriate i.e essays and such; i could care less online.</p>

<p>If you think AP courses are hardcore then you don’t know all the facts. AP courses in fact hinder your chance of learning more advanced topics, similar to the TAKS test. When you take an AP course you learn only the material needed for the AP exam, nothing more, and the AP test only asks for a limited knowledge of that certain subject.
JJJ- no offense, but one word sums you up- naiive. Those stats are in no way going to guarantee anyone admission- unless maybe a URM. </p>

<p>It may counter-balance your low gpa- the amount of AP classes you took- but unfortunately i don’t think it will have too much of an effect. I’m only being realistic based on the myriad of academic superstars rejected from ivies that had stats similar to you. Moreover, unfortunately, you have stiff competition with the indians and aren’t really considered a URM which would make this a whole different coversation- ughh, affirmative action. If you get in, great, i was wrong. Try to pick up on your work ethic this next year, to show the universities that you are willing to do the work.
You caught me in a bad mood earlier so i apologize for the rude post.</p>

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<p>Chaotic Order, first of all according to the thread you started not long ago, you in fact have not gotten a 36 on your ACT. </p>

<p>Quote: “By the way the ACT’s are projections based upon practice tests that i’ve taken where i got a 36 math, 34 writing, 33 reading, 34 science, i take it in June along with SAT2 Physics, Math 2c, and Spanish or literature, haven’t decided.”</p>

<p>Now that you are exposed as a liar, we can move on to the topic of this forum. I know people with similar grades and lower SATs who got into Penn w/ no connections. His overall profile probably puts him in the running for schools like Yale and princeton. Im Not saying you are “guaranteed admission” but you have a good chance.</p>

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<p>well, i see that you have caught me, the 36 was based on another recent practice test, so i can safely assume that i will do just as well when the time comes- should have mentioned that i have improved to a 36 in reading and a 36 in science which roughly gives a score of a 35.5 but luckily it rounds up.
Plus, establishing someone as a liar is such an easier route than actually taking the time to disprove his or her arguement and not nearly as effective. </p>

<p>I am saying it’s not that good of a chance for princeton and yale based on the admissions profile of those who got in and those rejected, grades and SAT scores aren’t everything for ivy leagues but only an expected factor, what seperates is ec’s and most that get in are highly involved or well lopsided- this is the conclusion i have come to while looking at many schools and talking to people.</p>

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<p>just a few comments… take them for what their worth… which isn’t much but…
-I’M going to be candid right here … chaotic you seem pretty arrogant with these “colleges don’t care, SAT is easy, AP courses suck,reach” comments
-AP courses cover “advanced topics” … the only place you’re going to learn advanced topics in a high school setting is in an AP class

  • you don’t have a 36 until you’ve taken the official test with a proctor and other students
  • standardized tests AND grades aren’t everything
  • don’t get a recommendation from a teacher who teaches a class you don’t do your homework in
  • your GPA is a little low but i think you’re class rank hurts you more
  • make your essays good
    -legacy helps
    -you have good chances anywhere
    -finallyyy… i would give a left nut for a 2390… ok maybe not GOOD LUCK!!!</p>
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<p>I was pretty similar - 3.69 uw, 1590/1600 + triple 800 SAT IIs + 8 5s on AP tests + 4 year varsity tennis (but more like rank 50) + 4 year academic team with state and national awards, legacy at Chicago and Columbia - and got deferred/rejected at Stanford ED. I didn’t apply to any other top 20 schools though. I think Stanford cares unusually strongly about GPA, certainly compared to schools like Chicago or Caltech.</p>

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<p>you would have been guaranteed to get into nearly any school you wanted if you tried hard in your classes. Why didn’t you!!!@@@!!! But you will still probably get in nearly anywhere</p>

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<p>It seems my second recommendation is a big weak point (meh, I figured it would be from the start)… I was considering getting one from my AP Biology teacher sophomore year who didn’t count homework as a part of the grade and I guess wouldn’t really know about how lazy I am, but I feel like a lot of colleges want recs from teachers in the junior or senior year.</p>

<p>There’s also the option of getting a rec from the Spanish Honor Society adviser, but I’ve never had her as a teacher and I’m not sure if that would really count as a “teacher.”</p>

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<p>Nearly everyone is an underachiever really, people don’t know how to utilize themselves perfectly.</p>

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<p>Before you worry any more on the teacher recommendation you should check the websites of the colleges you are interested in as many of them are very specific about which teachers you can ask. Some schools also want the recomendations related to the field you plan to study in college. This is just a sample but here is the information copied from the Stanford website: </p>

<p>Freshman: Give the Teacher Evaluation to (a maximum of)
two teachers to submit by the appropriate deadline. Stanford
requests that you give these forms to teachers who have taught
you in grades 11 and/or 12 in two different subject areas from
among the following: English, mathematics, science, foreign
language, and history/ social studies.</p>

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<p>From what I’ve heard, legacy at Penn doesn’t matter too much unless you are applying ED. Is it your first choice?</p>

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<p>I’m applying to Penn Wharton early decision and if that doesn’t fall through then obviously I’ll be applying to others, but hopefully it’ll work out. I’m not sure if siblings attending the school affects chances of admission, but if it does, my two older brothers go there as well (to Wharton specifically).</p>