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OK, I JUST posted this, and it didn't show up for some reason. If it does show up, sorry for reposting. Here is just a shorter version of what I said because I do not feel like retyping everything.

GPA - 4.0 unweighted

SAT's 1570 (800m, 770v)

SAT II's Math IIC-800 Writing-750 Chem-760

Involved a lot in Knowledge Bowl, Math Club, Chess Club

Some volunteer more will come.

Took all AP classes available to me, plus a lot of college classes through a program known as Running Start in my state.

Led my Knowledge Bowl to state, actually carried them there. Still haven't competed, I'll see how we do. Haven't really done any math competitions, but I'm extremely good at math. Hmmmm. #1 in my class. OK, there was more but i'll leave it at that.

What are my chances for getting into Harvard, MIT, Cal Tech, etc.?

By Krpatel (Krpatel) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 05:13 pm: Edit

tough to tell just by looking at numbers and three of your ECS, need more EC information. Otherwise, the numbers are superb and these three things seem to be your most important ECs. Also, what about some ethnic and geographic information.

By Robert456 (Robert456) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 05:28 pm: Edit

ecs are WEAK.You need something special to stand out

By Haruko (Haruko) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 05:29 pm: Edit

You're kind of dull, but you have nice stats.. how were your essays? Recs?

By Mical (Mical) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 05:35 pm: Edit

Heh. You're basically me, and I got into Caltech. Just telling you that it's not hopeless.

By Scm007 (Scm007) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 08:41 pm: Edit

OK, ummm how would anybody know if I'm dull. I have won tons of awards and have been to lots of summer programs for engineering and math and such. I'm a good writer as well. I thought that it was good to focus in on some ECS?

I participate a lot in those three ECs. I founded the math club at my school and practically everyday after school I find some really hard proofs or something and attempt to solve them. Knowledge Bowl I have some outstanding awards and pretty much am the team. Although I'm not that great at chess (1400 about rating), I got to almost all of the meets. I'm not really involved in leadership through my school but I help on the levy committee.

I'm a math tutor both via the internet at drmath.com and person to person. I'm also in Honor Society.

How is it hopeless? I'm very smart, excellent scores and grades, good participation in academic activities and I volunteer in good areas. Seems like I would be a good candidate in addition to my independent work that I've done. I just love to learn and I'm a very good student.

Also, I'm going to be studying abroad in Australia for Winter Quarter next year, is this good or bad?

By Scm007 (Scm007) on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 08:45 pm: Edit

OH yeah, I'm white and from ruralish Washington. I go to a public school(unfortunately) because that is all that I have in my area and my parents aren't all that wealthy. My class size is about 200 people. I've participated in my ECS for all three years so far.

Also, we don't have that many ECs in my school, I just do what I can outside of school. There is no science olympiad or anything like that. Someone from my school a while back went to MIT and he didn't have as good of stats as I do, and he was involved in basically the same activities.

By Qwert271 (Qwert271) on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 06:04 pm: Edit

Robert and Haruko shouldn't be so discouraging. "You seem kind of dull" "you need to stand out." This seems full of bulls**t. Obviously, you have a passion for math, etc., which bolsters your application. I didn't mean just a passion for math; a passion for anything will do.

I don't think colleges want to see a valedictorian that has taken 20 APs. They know the fluffy-type ECs (NHS) and the honest ones. Don't stuff your application.

They wanna have genuine thinkers at these places, which, by your comments, you seem to be.

By Haruko (Haruko) on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 09:50 pm: Edit

"OK, ummm how would anybody know if I'm dull. I have won tons of awards and have been to lots of summer programs for engineering and math and such. I'm a good writer as well. I thought that it was good to focus in on some ECS?
"

Don't leave anything out or cut yourself short. Summer programs are important too, and so are awards. I just know many 4.0 students who are in ALL the clubs you listed. I'm sorry I said you were dull, but just viewing a few common clubs didn't really tell me anything.

By Haruko (Haruko) on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 09:51 pm: Edit

And I am full of bullsh*t

By Candi1657 (Candi1657) on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 10:44 pm: Edit

They do make an important point, this is moreso for Harvard than MIT or Caltech, you need some more non-academic EC's or some academic EC's that don't involve math/science/chess. You're a great applicant, though, you already know that.

By Scm007 (Scm007) on Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - 03:25 am: Edit

What if I said I was interested in studying say mathematics or physics in Harvard? Compared to an English degree? Would this make any difference in the way they looked at my application?

By Candi1657 (Candi1657) on Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - 11:15 am: Edit

Of course, they would assume since you are strong in math/science you would most likely major in math/science, but they receive more applications from strong math/science students than from the other end of the spectrum, so you would need something to differentiate yourself.

By Scm007 (Scm007) on Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - 10:59 pm: Edit

I see, what types of things do they look for to differentiate one from the pack? Also, what are some non-academic EC's you guys are talking about? I was also thinking about Oxford and Cambridge, how hard are these schools to get into in comparison?