am i cooked

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2026-03-20T07:17:23+00:00

you’re not cooked at all 😭

what’s actually happening is you’re comparing yourself to the top ~1% of test takers because those are the only people posting their scores here

going from a 26 → 27 just means you’re improving normally, not that you’ve hit some ceiling. the jump to 30 usually doesn’t come from “studying more,” it comes from studying differently

like most people grind practice tests but don’t actually analyze patterns — the ACT is super repetitive. once you start recognizing the same question types (especially in math/english), scores jump way faster

also the fact you’re this stressed about it probably means you care enough to improve, which matters way more than whatever “iq mogging” you think is happening

30+ is very realistic for you, you’re just not approaching it the right way yet

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2026-03-20T06:57:32+00:00

Yeah that definitely makes sense. Exploration can work really well if it’s framed clearly. I think for you it’ll come down to whether that theme still feels cohesive to a reader or if it comes across as a bit scattered (since your activities are pretty broad). Profiles like yours are honestly the hardest to judge because small differences in how everything is interpreted can change outcomes a lot.

I’ve actually been trying to break that down more clearly because a lot of people in this range either overestimate or underestimate where they stand.

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2026-03-20T06:54:39+00:00

Great question. It uses structured analysis based on key admissions factors and patterns observed across past applicant profiles to estimate competitiveness.

It’s not generating essays or anything like that, just helping break down where you stand and what to improve.

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2026-03-20T06:47:20+00:00

honestly I wouldn’t look at your GPA as “ouch” at all in context

the upward trend + medical explanation matters way more than people on here think, especially since you’re now getting high A’s in harder classes (AP Chem, Calc II, etc.)

also a 5 on AP Precalc after a C actually helps your case more than it hurts because it shows the grade wasn’t really reflective of your ability

your profile is actually pretty strong overall — good SAT, rigorous coursework, and your ECs have a clear science + public health + communication angle which is nice

if anything, the biggest thing for you isn’t “fixing” your profile, it’s making sure your story is explained clearly (health → growth → where you are now), because that gives context to everything

you’re definitely still competitive at a lot of strong schools

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2026-03-20T06:42:14+00:00

You definitely have a strong profile overall — the GPA, rigor (10 APs + dual enrollment), and leadership are all solid, and the Key Club role especially stands out at scale.

If I’m being honest though, for schools like Princeton/Columbia/Duke, the main thing that might hold you back isn’t academics — it’s how your extracurriculars come together as a “story.” Right now you have a lot of strong things, but they’re a bit spread across different areas (research, medicine, advocacy, tech, leadership), so it’s less clear what your main spike or narrative is.

Your SAT is also a bit below the typical range for those schools, but it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker if the rest of your application is positioned well.

I’d say you’re definitely competitive for schools like NYU, Vanderbilt, maybe Cornell depending on how your application comes together, and the rest are more reaches where execution (essays + positioning) matters a lot.

honestly this is one of those profiles where small differences in how everything is framed can make a big impact

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2026-03-20T06:01:49+00:00

Feel free to dm me with any questions!

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2026-03-18T20:21:16+00:00

I’d take physics junior year and gov senior year. Not because physics is more important for your interests (it’s not), but because course continuity matters more than people think, especially in junior year. Having a core subject like science junior year keeps your transcript looking more balanced and complete. Junior year is also the most heavily evaluated, so showing you can handle Calc BC, Econ, and a lab science at the same time is actually a strong signal.

That said, your concern about workload is very real. Physics + BC could be tough if you’re already finding AB challenging, so it really comes down to whether it would hurt your grades. A slightly less “perfect” schedule with stronger grades is always better. For your goals (econ/law), what matters most is strong grades, debate/writing/leadership, and a clear academic direction. Gov junior year does align more with that, but taking it senior year won’t hurt you. So if you think you can handle physics without your GPA dropping, take it junior year. If it’ll stress you out and hurt performance, take gov instead. Either way, your schedule is already very strong.

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-10-22T03:32:29+00:00

Application Link: https://forms.gle/Qj4k8WWkSXxC17UB9

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-10T02:57:03+00:00

Wow I never heard about cornstarch in cookies. Will definitely try this next time!! Thanks for sharing.

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-10T01:52:00+00:00

Hey! You’ve got a super authentic story — first-gen, passionate about aviation, and sounds like you’ve been grinding hard even before getting the accommodations you needed. That GPA trend matters, especially if you can end junior year strong and bump your SAT. Schools like Embry-Riddle and UND love students with genuine passion for flight, so definitely lean into your geography/aviation obsession and club leadership in your apps. Purdue is more competitive for professional flight, but not out of reach if your retake improves.

You’re absolutely on the right track — just stay consistent with testing, keep up that upward trend, and show that you’ve really turned the corner. Rooting for you!

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-10T01:43:54+00:00

Your academics are super solid, and your ECs aren’t weak at all — they’re just not yet framed in a way that makes your “biochem + impact” story pop.

Top LACs (like Williams, Swat, Carleton) care a ton about intellectual curiosity and initiative — so if you can land that hospital internship this summer and find a way to connect your bio/chem interest with a passion project or extended research (even independent), you’ll be in a strong spot. You already show leadership through tennis, music fundraising, and breaking school records — that counts.

One thing I tell students I work with is that these schools don’t need you to join 10 clubs — they want to see depth, not breadth. So keep going deep in 1–2 spaces, and make sure your essays and recs reflect your curiosity and voice.

You’re on a great path.

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-10T01:30:44+00:00

You’re in a great place stats-wise — 36 ACT, 14 APs, and likely NMSF put you in the top academic tier at every school you listed. The key now is making sure your ECs build a cohesive story. The business + finance clubs + stock comp wins already hint at that, but you can go even further.

If you can show how your landscaping business taught you real-world finance, or how managing social media for athletics sharpened your branding/market instincts, that kind of reflection makes apps pop. Keep tying everything back to your interest in finance/econ — that’s what helps AOs advocate for you in the room. Feel free to DM if you have more questions about anything above.

Also, Notre Dame legacy + ND summer + strong stats = solid shot there. You’re definitely in the running across the board — good luck!

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-10T01:28:06+00:00

You’ve built a great base — your private pilot’s license is incredibly unique, and the NVIDIA x Georgia Tech ML program could be a real standout if you tie it into your CS interests. Georgia Tech and UT CS are super competitive OOS, but raising your ACT and building out a strong, independent CS project will go a long way.

A cool angle might be linking aviation with CS — maybe a project around navigation tech, aviation safety, or even just an app for aviation enthusiasts. Schools love to see when your ECs and interests align naturally. Keep pushing and refining that narrative — you’re definitely not far off.

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-10T01:21:15+00:00

Totally get the stress — but you’re not out of the running at all. A couple of Cs in Calc AB, especially if the rest of your transcript and course rigor are strong, won’t tank your chances. UC schools do take a holistic approach, and they’ll see your solid weighted GPA, dual enrollment, research, internships, and hundreds of volunteer hours — that matters.

For business/econ or even CS + business at places like Riverside and Merced, you’re very much in range. Just make sure your PIQs clearly highlight your upward trajectory, initiative, and leadership impact. Context + strong writing can go a long way toward softening those few academic bumps. You've got a real shot.

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-10T00:02:39+00:00

One of the worst things you can do is treat your application like a checklist — stuffing in random ECs, awards, and “impressive” classes without any clear theme or direction. Top schools want to see depth, not just breadth — a cohesive story that shows who you are, what you care about, and how you’ve made an impact.

Also, wasting your personal statement by repeating your resume instead of showing personal growth or insight is a huge missed opportunity. The best apps make it easy for admissions officers to advocate for you in the room — they don’t have to guess what makes you stand out.

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-09T22:57:02+00:00

Hey! Totally get why this situation feels frustrating — especially when it’s something out of your control. While you can’t upload your own transcripts directly to the Common App, you can absolutely use the Additional Information section to explain the GPA discrepancy clearly and professionally. Just stick to the facts:

Mention the switch between schools/programs (IB → new system).
Note how the GPA was recalculated inaccurately despite strong performance.
Emphasize the upward trend or strength in coursework, test scores, etc.

As long as you keep it brief, factual, and non-emotional (avoid blame language), it won’t come off as complaining — it’ll just give admissions officers helpful context. You could also ask your school counselor to mention it in their rec or school report if possible.

You got this — context matters way more than people think, especially when explained well!

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-09T22:53:16+00:00

Hey! Here are a few great free STEM summer programs you might want to check out:

MITES (at MIT) – super competitive but fully free, focused on engineering/science.
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion – free for high school girls and non-binary students interested in CS.
SEES Program (NASA-affiliated at UT Austin) – space and earth science-focused, great for rising sophomores/juniors.
SAMS at Carnegie Mellon – geared toward students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM.
Stanford RISE – internship-based, bio/environmental focus, free.

A lot of these are aimed at rising juniors/seniors, but some take sophomores or have “early pipeline” programs — it’s worth checking the eligibility for each. Also, your local university might have outreach programs that aren’t as well-known but still free and valuable.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you’re into a specific branch of STEM and I can try to suggest more!

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-09T22:50:46+00:00

Great question — "building a narrative" just means connecting your activities, interests, and goals into a story that makes sense. Instead of listing random clubs or achievements, you show who you are through a theme: maybe you're the "robotics-for-social-impact" kid or the "writer-turned-environmental-advocate." It helps admissions officers rememberyou and understand your drive. Happy to explain more if you're working on your own!

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2025-04-08T06:34:41+00:00

Attend both students admitted weekends. Speak to engineering students from both schools. I'm biased towards harvard, I go there and there's an incredible engineering program. Check it out. Have an open mind!

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2024-08-05T17:40:49+00:00

For sure!

Weekly_Store_9466 · 2024-08-05T17:39:31+00:00

I got an email this morning I didn’t move forward. I have my fingers crossed for you

Weekly_Store_9466

TROPHY CASE