I am a Vietnamese-American student from California. My cumulative GPA 9-11 is 4.42. I’m currently taking 6 APs senior year. My highest SAT score is 1530 (I had a fever that day but oh well). My superscore would be 1560. My highest ACT score is 33. I took the Math 2 and Biology subject tests this month, and I might retake next month now that I have a better understanding of the test format. I started AP biology this year, so I’m self-studying for the biology SAT.
I’m very involved in cultural preservation in my community, and I am applying to the Questbridge and Gates Scholarships also.
Some of my extracurriculars/accomplishments:
- Winner of National Vietnamese American Exemplary Student Award, Honoring Character Award, Thap Sang Viet Nam Award, and Ben Em Dang Co Ta Award multiple years
- Granted scholarships and graduated from 8 years of Vietnamese school with 1st place in class each year
- Teaching assistant at Ca Dao Vietnamese School for two years
- 1st place winner of annual Southern California Vietnamese Dictation and Essay Competition for multiple years
- Member of Honors in Academic Decathlon (9th to 12th grade)
- President of La Quinta Academic Decathlon
- Founder and President of La Quinta Puzzle Club for three years
- Treasurer of La Quinta Math Club
- Treasurer of La Quinta Youth Leadership Collective
- Member of La Quinta National Honor Society, CSF, Red Cross, Future Medical Leaders, VSA, PAWS; frequently volunteer with these clubs
- Volunteer at Fountain Valley Hospital
- Member of Cau Lac Bo Tinh Nghe Si (a music organization) and teach younger kids how to perform
- Participant in the Developing Youth Talent (a T.V. program) on VNA each month
- Was on La Quinta Girl’s Varsity Swim and JV water polo
- Volunteer at Westminster Public Library as a homework tutor and library aid since 2014 until present (over 310 hours)
- One of the original members of Westminster Library’s Teen Advisory Board until present
- Earned Top Talent for Level 10 National Guild of Piano Teachers, auditioned for Certificate of Merit, and finished level 10 Music Theory at Westminster Music School; will get piano diploma at end of senior year; earned Top Talent 3 times and Teacher’s Award twice; chosen as noteworthy student; participated in recitals; also plays guitar and violin
- Vocalist at Virtuosos Russian Music Academy and member of VRMA Teen Choir; participated in recitals
- M.C./announcer for CLB Tinh Nghe Si Thieu Nhi on SBTN T.V.
- Mentor for McGarvin’s Science Olympiad Team
- Perform and interview on 7 television channels: SBTN, IBC, Hon Viet, VNA, Asian World Media, Viet Pho, Little Saigon and for book-release events at Viet My; perform at Asian Garden Mall and OC Fair; interviewed with Garden Grove Unified School District Board Member; discuss current events and persuade Vietnamese-American students to learn Vietnamese
- Participated in La Quinta Music Department Recital
- Vietnamese translator at Health Expo
- Participated in Tieng Viet Men Yeu (music competition for community service) and for OC Fair Lunar New Year Talent Show and Exhibitions
- 1st place in Vietnamese Proverb Competition
- 1st place in Vietnamese spelling bee for consecutive years
- 1st place for Giai Khuyen Hoc (Vietnamese Jeopardy) multiple years and earned highest scorer award
- Participated in Lunar New Year Tet Parade
- Chosen to sing the National Anthem for the death anniversary of Anh Bang (a famous Vietnamese composer); performed for Senator Janet Nguyen on multiple occasions
- Helped fundraise for ASSORV Annual Charity Fundraiser and Project VietNam Foundation
- Member of World Ice Skating Institute
- Recognized for Excellent Community Service by Westminster and Garden Grove Mayors and City Councils
I also have a lot of extenuating family problems. I live with my unemployed dad and help take care of my six-year-old brother. My parents are getting divorced, and our family history is too much to go into for this post.
What are my chances of getting into competitive schools?