<p>National Merit Commended
AP Scholar with Distinction</p>
<p>15 years of violin
Section leader in local youth symphony
Volunteer as a violin teacher in inner-city elementary schools
Started a secret GSA at my Catholic high school
Interviewed for NPR and local newspapers about a petition I started in regards to this GSA
Worked at Safeway for a bit
Rec Soccer
Write for LGBT magazine.
Write for local arts magazine.
Testified in state legislature for animal rights.</p>
<p>Essays: really good. I’m a quirky person and this really comes through in my essays.
Teacher Recs: I have and will not see them, but I’d say at least one is going to be spectacular and the other one very good.</p>
<p>They all seem like reaches to me. UChicago seems more like a match/low reach. You have good academics, but you didn’t take any subject tests and, as giantman said, your ec’s aren’t very special. You fit the ivy league requirements, but there’s no real “wow” extracurriculars or major points on your essay that put you apart from the pool of applicants.</p>
<p>No subject tests, take them. I find it interesting that a catholic school student writes for an LGBT magazine. I hope the admins think so too, in a good way!</p>
<p>What were your scores on your AP exams, Did you do math/debate/speech team or any other clubs, and what exactly were your schedules for Soph/Junior/Senior year? Your leadership qualities will appear as very admirable to the reader, and your strongly demonstrated passion for equality will not be overlooked by, at the minimum, Chicago. Consider Northwestern and Stanford.</p>