"Standing out" (also a "chance me")

Pjax · July 11, 2009, 9:56pm

Hey, I am a prospective Pomona Student.

Academics
GPA UW: 3.95
GPA W: 4.41
Class Rank: 8/280
Very competitive high school. Last 3 senior classes have sent 8+ people to ivies, and 30+ to top tier schools.

Classes (only listing core classes)
Freshman
H-Geometry A-
H-Latin 2 A-
H-English A-
H-Biology A
CP1- World Cultures (only history course offered, no honors, etc.) A

Sophomore
H-Algebra II A-
H-Latin 3 A
H-Chemistry A
H-English A-
CP1 US History (only course offered) A

Junior
H-Precalc A
H-Physics A
H-Latin 4 A
H-English A
AP-Biology A (5)
AP-US History A (4)

Senior
AP-English Lit
AP-Latin 5
AP-Chemistry
AP-Physics B
AP-Calculus BC

Standardized Tests
SAT I- Math 800 CR-740 W-760 Composite-2300
SAT II- Math II-780 Biology M-800 US History-750
PSAT- 220
ACT- 36 (Writing 11)

Awards
US History Award (08), AP Scholars Award Biology, H-Precalc Award in Exellence, “Ace Award”-Tennis, NEC All-Star-Tennis, “most Improved”-Soccer (09), National Merit semifinalist, H-Physics Award in Excellence and Enthusiasm, Bass River Tennis Team “MVP”

EC’s
Freshman
Varsity Tennis, Freshman Soccer, Marching Band, Jazz Band
Sophomore
Concert/Marching Band, Jazz Band (Tenor Saxophone Soloist), Varsity Boys Tennis, JV Boys Soccer, Math Team, Co-Founder and VP of Chemistry Club, Band Officer (Librarian)
Junior
Varsity Boys Tennis (NEC All-star), Bass River Tennis Team, Varsity Boys Soccer, Math Team, Chemistry Club (VP), Peer Mentor Program, Jazz Band (Tenor/ alto soloist), Tri-M (Musical Honor Society), National Honor Society, Co-founder Math tutoring program w/ twin, founder of Science Tutoring Program
Senior
Varsity Boys Tennis-Captain, Bass River Tennis Team, Varsity Boys Soccer, Math Team-Captain, Chemistry Club (VP), Peer Mentor Program, Jazz Band (Tenor/allto soloist), Tri-M- Vice President, National Honor Society- President, Math Tutoring- coordinator, Science Tutoring- head coordinator

Summer Activities/volunteer/job positions
Freshman
Tennis Camp/Vacation (Yeah- didn’t do much)
Sophomore
Tenacity Tennis volunteer 8 weeks/15 hours a week, Interned w/ Pharmacist at Tufts Medical Center, Volunteered at hospital- 100 hours, Helped run family business (2 sets of twins in my family, we do all the seasonal jobs in the neighborhood- winter-shoveling, summer/spring- lawn mowing), Grocer (Bagged Groceries at Stop and Shop)
Junior
I interned at the National Heart Lung and Blood Association for 10 weeks/ 40 hrs a week. Only 1/8 applicants get in. This is the top research center in America as you may know (in some aspects). I have an extremely good rec from my mentor (each researcher only has one intern). I hope that this demonstrates my everlasting adoration for science.

“Hooks”
I am a Twin…

Recs/Essay
Stunning- both teachers had me for 2 years, at great terms w/ guidance councilor

Ethnicity/location
White
Massachusetts
I have 2 sets of twins in family (A little unique), I am a twin myself

Goals
I want a pure science major

Chances?

Also, be honest. I know that when people look at these threads they check to see the grades and scores, and if they fall into the qualifying catagory they give them the “you have a chance, but you are just like the other applicants”. I really want to know: do I stand out? Also-- here is the list of colleges I am applying to:

<ol>
<li>Pomona</li>
<li>Cal Tech</li>
<li>Rice</li>
<li>Stanford</li>
<li>Cornell (both parents went there)</li>
<li>Dartmouth</li>
<li>Princeton</li>
<li>Emory</li>
<li>Duke</li>
<li>WashU</li>
<li>Northwestern</li>
<li>UChicago</li>
<li>Tulane</li>
<li>Vanderbilt</li>
<li>Georgetown (uncle a head professor of classics there)</li>
<li>JHU</li>
<li>Harvard </li>
<li>MIT</li>
</ol>

Is this a feasible list, or am I being too bold?

I realize this is a very long thread, I appreciate any readers’ attention

portugueseninja · July 13, 2009, 3:55pm

I’d guess you’re definitely in at a good few of those.

The thing is:

“I know that when people look at these threads they check to see the grades and scores, and if they fall into the qualifying catagory they give them the “you have a chance, but you are just like the other applicants”. I really want to know: do I stand out?”

You know what the answer is. You’re an excellent applicant. But there’s never going to be any way we can realistically say if you stand out, because there’s going to be thousands of applicants who also have amazing grades. Your application is good that your focus seems to be on tennis, which is great. If that passion shines through in your essays you’re probably good to go. But then again, there could be a lot of other people who are passionate about their sport, in which case, while you are a highly desirable applicant, you might not necessarily “stand out”. But obviously, you do have a great application there. Best of luck to you! I’m also applying to Pomona, Harvard, Chicago, and Princeton… maybe we’ll end up at the same school In which case, as I’m just getting into tennis myself, we should meet up for a game and you can teach me some skillz :D

70_s_Grad · July 13, 2009, 11:39pm

You know your stats are very good. Quite similar to my son’s who is a Pomona soph. I think you need to look at what colleges you might apply to. Your list looks like you want to apply to every highly ranked private school. About all that was missing was Yale. CalTech and MIT are nothing like Pomona. The Claremont school most like those two is Harvey Mudd. I think you should figure out want you are looking for in a college and put your efforts there. If your desire is Med School any of your choices and many others not mentioned would be fine. Just don’t be overly concerned with rankings. Most people here in Northern California think Cal Poly when you say your kid is going to Pomona. So much for the US News list. In the end visit some schools and see what works best for you. Best of Luck

Anonymous91 · July 13, 2009, 11:58pm

You’re a very strong candidate at every school you could apply to, however I do not think you are a true standout, just because there’s nothing on your E.C list that is abnormal or rare. However, I do think your shot at Pomona is somewhat favorable. I am also a twin btw, both of us are Pomona freshman =). It would always be nice to have another pair of twins around (although I do not know if his stats are similar to yours/ if you guys are applying to the same colleges).

Best of luck!

minjiminji · July 28, 2009, 3:56am

I have to agree with 70’s grad. I know the temptation is there to high ranking schools, but think carefully about where you’d be happiest living and learning for 4 years. Especially in terms of surrounding environment and social life, your schools fluctuate widely on the spectrum.

Now, as for chances, stats are looking fabulous, but I can’t see the “standout”-hook amidst that long list of accomplishments. Not that it’s any less impressive! You’re a very well-rounded applicant (and they do like that), so while I want to say that you’re very likely to be admitted, I think it’s best if you REALLY pull them in with your strength of personality through your essay to secure your those great chances. And show them your enthusiasm for the sciences!! Use the essays as opportunities to show what those (very impressive) internships meant to you. You have tons of things going for you, so weave a tight, cohesive story that really ties in all of those ECs and demonstrates your vivid, colorful self. Show them how wonderful an addition you’ll be to Pomona. :)

Good luck with the admissions process (along with deciding which schools to apply to), and I hope to see you on campus. If you want to arrange an overnight stay, don’t hesitate to contact the admissions office! It really helps to sit in on classes and rehearsals and such. And do send me your info (via pm) if you do decide to visit! I’m a host for overnight prospies. ;)

Poseidenj · July 29, 2009, 4:36am

being a twin is not a hook
Your ECs are pretty generic, and to me they look stacked
You’re a white male from Massachusetts

To be quite frank, in my opinion anyone applying to more than 10 schools…well, shouldn’t apply to more than 10 schools. Maybe it’s just a peeve, I dunno, but based on your stats (which I’m not denying aren’t good, but plenty of people have great stats nowadays :p) you will get into at least a few of these schools, though, since most of them are top schools you never know.

Cornell- your legacy puts you in IMO, to whatever of their schools you wanted.
Tulane- above their 75ths for everything.
WUSTL- I know people with worse stats who got in, though, they were a URM.
Georgetown- if your uncle is a prominent professor, yes.
Johns hopkins- I know people with worse stats who got it.

Narrow it down, and I don’t care if you’re the top “1000” applicants in the country, you need a state safety on there.

"Standing out" (also a "chance me")

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