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1

I’m a junior in Arizona interested in math and maybe philosophy. These are my likely stats a year from now.

UW GPA: 3.91
W GPA: 4.33
SAT I: 1560 - 800 Math + 760 Verbal
ACT: 35
SAT II: Math 2: 800 Physics: 800

AP’s:
Calc AB (5) - taken Freshman year, Calc BC (5) -taken sophomore year, Lang (5), World History (4), US History (5), Chemistry (4), Statistics (5), Computer Science A (5), Physics I (5),

Senior year I plan on taking AP Macro/Micro Econ, AP US/Comparative Gov, AP Lit, Physics C (both) and probably courses at a University (I’ve taken most AP’s at my school)

ECs:
Math Club - Team Member (5 years)
NHS - Member (2 years) VP (1 year)
Film Club (2 years member, 1 year president)
FRC Team - Programmer (2 years)
Vex Robotics Team - Programmer (3 years)
Academic Decathlon - (10th grade only. Youngest member and the teacher left after)
CIT at a summer camp (Summer before 11th grade)
7 week research internship at the University of Arizona (Summer before 12th grade)

AIME Qualifier, National Merit Finalist, and AP Scholar

I play the drums in a band and also paint sometimes (maybe supplement). I jumped up in math along with a friend in Freshman year (looks good?) and also I’m planning on self-studying multivar calc and linear algebra. I’ve also taken online courses in math, game theory, and philosophy.

I know 2 teachers that will give me great letters of recommendation (math and english) but I don’t really know my college counselor yet.

My only potential hook is that my parents are both South African immigrants (still white) and I talk with an accent at home.

I’m most interested in UChicago because I love Chicago but I’m open to anything. Really looking for match and low reach schools.

2

Do you need scholarships or financial aid? That will make a difference in which universities to recommend. How much can you (your parents) spend on your tuition, room and board? You are an excellent candidate for universities that offer full tuition and full ride scholarships, and for some universities that provide aid up to full need, assuming you amass all of the credentials above. But if money is not an issue, then that will be a different list of universities.

3

What my parents can’t afford (they can afford a good amount) I will take out in student loans. I know I may regret this in two years but I’m trying not to worry about money at this stage and just get into what I can. For now, just pretend money is not an issue.

4

You could research schools from the NESCAC and Claremonts; maybe Haverford/Swarthmore, Reed.

5

Ditto that. Haverford is a top notch school. Small class sizes and amazing professors. It is very competitive but you have the credentials to have a good shot of getting in.