Astrophysics, Physics Applicant
Male · Asian · AL · Public Boarding School
🏷️ Came from a more rural state
Income: Comfortable Middle Class
AP Exams Taken
- Student Government AssociationWas the secretary for my SGA for one year, and a representative for three years. Organized events for the school, helped out with the school website, and recorded the minutes for important SGA matters.
- Peer AdvisorHelped make sure other people were settled in, and assisted with mental health and maintaining cleanliness in the dorms.
- ResearchPartnered with a professor from the University of Alabama to work on constructing a model for solar flare prediction.
- Science OlympiadServed as president and competed for four years, achieving 1st place in regional and state competitions.
- RecyclingServed as the recycling head for my school, promoting recycling on campus and leading trips to the recycling center.
- Symphonic/Marching BandPlayed trumpet for four years and participated in marching band for one year.
- AnimationCreated animation projects, including one that was 3.5 minutes long and another that was 2 minutes long, presented to an audience of over 200 people.
- MusicSpotify-verified artist with two albums and an EP released.
- Church Worship BandPlayed trumpet for my local church during the summer.
- YearbookServed as an editor and photographer for the school yearbook team.
- ★AATG National German Exam Gold Winner
- ★Description: Scored higher than 93% of all German test takers.
- ★National Merit Semifinalist
- ★Description: Eventually became a Finalist.
- ★Science Olympiad Awards
- ★Description: Won first place for Fossils in Regional and State competitions, and won Astronomy in Regional competitions.
- ★Alabama All State Honor Band
- ★Description: Qualified for the All State band.
- ★AP Scholar
Essay Topics
Discussed my interest in piano in conjunction with mental health, using metaphors and analogies.
Attempted to relate picking up staple clips to my research project, but the language was dry.
Discussed buildings and classes of interest, but it was bland.
Talked about interesting programs with some humor.
Discussed my interest in animation, but it was boring.
Tried to explain a complex emotion in under 200 words, which was challenging.
Wrote about my passion for recycling, engaging and creative.
Discussed a failure with a trumpet audition, engaging and well-paced.
Wrote about my research interest in solar flares, but lacked character depth.
Described a time crunch with peers, but did not showcase collaborative skills well.
Described my passion for becoming an Astrophysicist effectively.
Incorporated facets of Rice's culture and academics, very descriptive.
Discussed an animation project presented to an audience, but focused too much on the project rather than implications.
Divided space among three subjects, leading to bland descriptions.
Boring, focused only on academic programs.
Responses to short questions.
Described my interest in solar flares effectively.
Improved version of the Princeton Activity Essay, more descriptive and enthusiastic.
Discussed discrimination experiences, but came across as preachy.
Talked about family hardships and childhood locations, somewhat dramatic.
Standard essay on my major interest, somewhat generic.
Discussed my dad, well-written but did not fit the prompt.
Similar to the Yale passion essay.
Similar to the Princeton Ethics Essay.
Similar to the California Institute of Technology failure essay.
- Rice University
- Performance/Outcome: Felt a bit nervous but did a competent job, showcased enthusiasm.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Performance/Outcome: Similar to Rice, felt nervous but performed well.
- Yale University
- Performance/Outcome: Similar to Rice, felt nervous but performed well.
- Princeton University
- Performance/Outcome: Similar to Rice, felt nervous but performed well.
- Harvard University
- Performance/Outcome: Bonded with the interviewer, shared personal stories and received support regarding my Harvard decision.
Academic Dean
We talked a lot for several years, and he wanted to write me a letter of recommendation.
German Teacher
Bonded well outside of class, helped me mature and learn about social situations.
Computer Science Teacher
Similar to the German teacher but to a lesser extent.
Research Professor
Cordial relationship, made a good impression despite not knowing him for long.
Accepted (3)
Rejected (5)
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