u/kugelblitzka

Demographics: Asian male, California, small public early college high school (~70 students in grade)

Intended majors: Applied Math or Mechanical Engineering (unsure)

Stats:

• GPA: 4.0 UW / 4.8 W
• SAT: 1570
• School doesn’t rank officially but probably 1 or 2

Coursework:

• AP Calc BC (5)
• AP CSA (5)
• AP Precalc (5)
• AP Music Theory (5)
• Took AP Physics C E&M, AP Lang, APUSH this year (predicting 5s)
• For context half of these are self-studied, I maxed rigor at my school
• Dual Enrollment: Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Mechanics

ECs:

• Concertmaster at a highly selective Bay Area youth orchestra
• Violinist in an elite chamber music program
• Accepted to selective summer music programs/festivals
• National youth orchestra participant this summer
• Participated in a UC summer program focused on music + technology
• Leader at a volunteer organization that performs concerts at senior centers
• Math club president: organize meetings + free local competitions for younger students
• Soloed with local community orchestra
• Tutoring at school, help with wide array of subjects

Awards:

• 2x AIME qualifier
• AMC 10 Honor Roll
• AP Scholar-type awards

Context:
My school is pretty small/non-competitive compared to a lot of Bay Area schools, so I’m not sure how admissions will evaluate my profile relative to applicants from stronger STEM schools. We barely send anyone to Ivies (not a single Yale or Harvard admit!) I feel like I have a stronger music profile than most engineering applicants but weaker math competition results than the usual applicants. Also I'm a bit younger (16 when graduating) than most applicants? Planning on submitting a music portfolio if possible.

Also although I'm technically in the Bay Area my town is literally mostly farmland and farmers instead of tech dudes (it's literally a 2 hour drive to SF...)

Current thoughts:

• Berkeley
• UCLA
• UCSD
• Stanford
• CMU
• MIT (zero chance but might as well, my sister went but sadly MIT doesn't have legacy)

Would appreciate honest feedback + suggestions for reaches/matches/safeties.