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Could you give me an idea of where I stand, esp with regard to MIT/Caltech? Thanks

By Someperson (Someperson) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 07:06 pm: Edit

also, would living in Hawaii affect my chances? (Quotas, not much research stuff, etc.)

By Someperson (Someperson) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 06:14 pm: Edit

bump

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 09:28 am: Edit

MIT/Caltech: you're a valid candidate.
USC - in
Cornell, Harvey Mudd - match
Harvard - retake Writing if you think you can improve
UChicago - your essays will be of extreme importance here (but you know that already)

Regarding the fencing - might be worth it to talk to the coaches of schools that have fencing teams. Certainly couldn't hurt.

Have you had the chance to visit any of your schools? Also, is money an issue?

I am also curious - you have MIT/Caltech, Harvey Mudd, all of which are tech, and Cornell (with a strong techish component). Then, you have UChicago and Harvard, that are more scientific/academic than tech per say. Are you really decided that you want a tech school?

By Paulhomework (Paulhomework) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:19 pm: Edit

Excellent chances. All are matches except MIT/Caltech/Harvard.

Harvard i think is a reach for you, but MIT/Caltech you are a very strong candidate. I bet you'll get into one of them at least.

By Jazz05 (Jazz05) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 08:02 pm: Edit

Hey everyone -

I couldn't post a new discussion in this place, so I decided to put it in here. I just wanted to get some feedback on my chances of getting into some of the following schools:

Columbia, Brown, Harvard, Yale, Duke, Notre Dame, Boston College, Princeton, Penn State

Here are my statistics for your consideration:

White Male/Age 18

High School: Public, doesn't send many students to top institutions.
GPA: 4.04 (weighted)

Rank: #1 out of 350

Intended Major: Biochemistry/Biophysics
-Would like to study Non-Hodgkins Aggressive T-Cell Lymphomas

SATI: 1450 - 740m, 710v
SATII: Writing - 760, Chem - 750, Math IC - 720

AP:
Junior Year - Chemistry - 5
Senior Year - U.S. Government, Calculus BC, Spanish Language, Physics B & C (E&M), English Literature, English Language. Organic Chemistry I & II (Local College)

-Have taken most rigorous course load (all honors, etc.)
-School does not allow AP courses until completion of New York State Regents Diploma
-Only offers 6 AP’s

EC's: National Honor Society: President, Distinguished Speaker, Football: Captain (2001-2002),Math Team, Key Club (Kiwanis): Public Relations Director, Drama Club, SADD Coffee House, Mock Trial Team: Semi-finalist, State Tournament (2003), Scholastic Bowl: Treasurer, Youth in Government: County Judge, State Conference Delegate, Senior Enrichment, Seniors Support Success (9th Grade Mentor Program), Band:
Vice President (2003-2004), President (2004-2005)
Musical Production Pit Orchestra, Jazz Band, Concert Band.

Awards:
Most Outstanding Soloist: Music in the Parks, Richmond VA, Hudson Valley Youth Jazz Orchestra: Featured Instrumentalist, National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, National Honor Roll, Boy Scouts of America:Eagle Scout with Bronze, Gold, and Silver Palms, National Society of High School Scholars, American Legion Boy’s State: State Attorney, Principle Percussionist, Grammy All-Star North American Jazz Band Alternate with Honorable Mention, Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, University of Rochester Kodak Leadership Award/Scholarship, Who’s Who Among American High School Students.

Musical Honors:
New York All State Jazz Combo – Drumset, New York All State Symphonic Band – Alternate – Percussion, New York All State Jazz Ensemble – Alternate – Drumset, New York State Zone 9 Area All State Orchestra - Percussion, New York State Zone 9 Area All State Symphonic Band - Percussion, All County Senior High Jazz Ensemble – Drumset, All County Senior High Symphonic Band – Percussion,

Community Service: EMT with Local Ambulance Corps., volunteering 12 hours per week. Local Hospital Volunteer

Work: Regularly working Jazz Musician in NYC.

If at all possible, please be totally honest in your feedback and withhold nothing from your assessment. Thanks again!

By Bloggin (Bloggin) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 04:09 pm: Edit

OK, I officially can't post a new convo either...I've seen like 10 other posts with the same problem.

Can a mod do something about this????

By Darkemperor007 (Darkemperor007) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 04:25 pm: Edit

Can't post so here goes...

I'm an African American Junior and currently have a 3.83 UW GPA & a 4.61 W GPA.

Trigonometry C (possibly B *praying)
AP Mircroeconomics B
AP English Language B (possibly A)
AP Statistics B (possibly A)

If I have a C in Trigonometry and the rest of my quarter grades are Bs (4 classes per semester, does this BLOW my chances at MIT or Berkeley out the window? Are my chances still slim provided I get As in all my other classes or high test scores?

By Darkemperor007 (Darkemperor007) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 04:59 pm: Edit

please guys i can't study without knowing!!!!

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 05:16 pm: Edit

Darkemperor007,
your quarter grades for your junior year may or may not show up on your transcript - ask your GC! And study!

By Darkemperor007 (Darkemperor007) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 05:30 pm: Edit

Thanks Ohio_mom, but they do show up, i already asked. Am I screwed?

By Darkemperor007 (Darkemperor007) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 05:43 pm: Edit

Thanks Ohio_mom, but they do show up, i already asked. Am I screwed?

By Nobu (Nobu) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 05:46 pm: Edit

i don't think being japanese american helps anywhere. particularly if you're from Hawaii!!!

I think you're a shoe-in for MIT. Hats off to your AMC/AIME scores and math team achievements.

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 05:59 pm: Edit

Darkemperor-
Maybe not - although a C is very hard to overcome there. If your C was followed by A's in math forever after that would help. But if you aren't pulling top grades in math relatively easily, MIT may not be the right place for you. Have you visited? It was on my son's list until he visited, and now its off. Remember, the worst that will happen is that if you don't get into MIT you will get into another excellent school.

Jazz05 -
as long as you love your safety (Penn State) and the specific departments at the schools on your list are suitable, go for it. Look into the Braddock scholarship (I think that's its name) at Penn State - full ride. What instrument(s) do you play?

By Nobu (Nobu) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 06:00 pm: Edit

CalTech is impossible though....I know someone who got into Harvard, Yale, Harvey Mudd, Duke, UPenn, Berkeley, UVA but was rejected from CalTech.

There are very very few spots there.

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 06:05 pm: Edit

Jazz05 -
OK, I can't read - percussion. My cousin was a drummer in NYC when he was at Columbia back in the dark ages ('70's) and almost had too much fun. Made money gigging for rock groups - as a jazz drummer it was sooooo easy for him (sure I will get flammed for that comment!).