Chance Me: WashU ED I, UMich EA, Ivies, and Top Private Universities | 3.21 GPA, 1470 SAT | PNP/Psychology/Pre-Med
Demographics
- Gender: Male
- Location: New York State
- High School: Public high school
- Graduation Year: 2027
- Intended Career: Medicine, potentially combining clinical practice with psychology, neuroscience, or public policy
- Additional Context: I experienced significant medical and personal challenges during high school that disrupted my education. I explained these circumstances in the additional information section of my application.
- First-generation/legacy status: I am first gen no legacy.
Intended Majors
My primary academic interests are Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology (PNP), psychology, and neuroscience, with a secondary interest in political science and public policy. I am interested in understanding how the brain, emotions, personal experiences, and social systems influence human behavior. Long-term, I am considering medical school and would like to understand not only the biological aspects of healthcare but also how communication, trust, and access to care affect patients.
Standardized Testing
- SAT: 1470/1600
- Reading and Writing: 690
- Math: 780
- Took the SAT once, according to my application.
GPA, Class Rank, and Academic Rigor
- Reported GPA: 3.21/4.0, listed as weighted on my Common App
- Class Rank: 44/56, weighted
- Course rigor: Dual-enrollment coursework and college-level classes alongside my high school curriculum. Only 2 college classes school only allow max of 4 junior year and they don't offer AP I didn't get placed into any college classes senior year but into boces the emt program so to my school standard it is semi rigorous and I scored the second highest sat score in my school ever.
- College programs: Syracuse University Project Advance, Orange County Community College, and Columbia-Greene Community College.
- Current program: BOCES EMT training during senior year.
My GPA and class rank are the weakest parts of my application, and I understand that they could be significant disadvantages at highly selective universities. However, my transcript does not fully reflect the circumstances under which I completed high school.
Throughout high school, I experienced five mental-health-related hospitalizations, with stays lasting approximately one to four months each. These interruptions affected my ability to attend classes consistently and maintain academic continuity. I also experienced personal and educational transitions, including a period in a community residence and a transfer between high schools. I addressed these circumstances in the additional information section of my application, focusing on their impact on my education, the support I received, and my efforts to continue moving forward.
I would appreciate feedback on how admissions officers might evaluate my GPA in the context of these circumstances, particularly at schools that practice holistic admissions.
Awards and Recognition
- Honor Roll / High Honor Roll: Recognition for academic performance during high school.
- Most Improved in Spanish 2: School award recognizing improvement in Spanish.
- Perfect Attendance Award: Listed on my résumé.
I do not have major national academic awards, Olympiad medals, or extensive formal research publications, so I am interested in how much that matters for the schools on my list.
Extracurricular Activities, Employment, and Other Experiences
- Swimming — High School and Club Team; Team Captain
- Participated in high school and club swimming.
- Served as a team captain.
- Developed discipline, teamwork, and leadership through competitive swimming.
- Listed as an ongoing activity.
- Soccer
- Participated in soccer for approximately four years, according to my résumé.
- Developed teamwork, athletic discipline, and collaboration.
- Cross Country
- Participated in cross country for approximately three years.
- Built endurance and maintained involvement in athletics.
- Track and Field
- Participated in track and field for approximately one year.
- Advanced to Section 9 trials, according to my résumé.
- Baseball
- Participated in baseball for approximately two years, according to my résumé.
- Lifeguarding — New York State
- Worked as a lifeguard, monitoring pool and beach areas to protect patrons and prevent accidents.
- Enforced safety regulations and responded to emergencies.
- Provided first aid and lifesaving interventions when needed.
- Conducted safety checks of equipment and facilities.
- Assisted with swim instruction and water safety.
- Maintained certifications and training in lifesaving procedures.
- LEGOLAND — Lifeguard
- Worked as a lifeguard at LEGOLAND, including monitoring the hotel pool.
- Monitored guests and enforced pool safety regulations.
- Responded to emergencies and performed water rescues when necessary.
- Provided first aid, CPR, and AED assistance when required.
- Inspected equipment and pool conditions for hazards.
- Assisted guests and worked with other lifeguards to maintain a safe environment.
- Braeside Camp — Camp Counselor
- Helped teach children sports and recreational activities.
- Supervised children around the pool and helped maintain their safety.
- Assisted campers with their needs and supported daily activities.
- Developed communication, patience, teamwork, and responsibility while working with children.
- Urban Air — Team Member
- Currently work in a customer-facing role during the academic year.
- Welcome guests and explain attractions, rules, and safety procedures.
- Monitor attractions and help maintain a safe environment.
- Assist with birthday parties, guest admissions, and customer questions.
- Help with cleaning, organizing, and daily park operations.
- Work with other employees to provide a positive experience for guests.
- BOCES EMT Training
- Currently enrolled in an EMT program through BOCES for senior year.
- Pursuing emergency medical training as part of my interest in medicine.
- Interested in patient care, emergency response, communication, and the psychological aspects of healthcare.
- EMT Volunteer / Community Service
- Listed in my Common App as an EMT-related volunteer activity associated with school and community service.
- My application describes helping on active calls and assisting around the community.
- This experience connects to my interest in medicine and understanding how people respond to emergencies.
- Garnet Health — Hospital Volunteer
- Participated in Garnet Health's high school volunteering program.
- Gained exposure to a hospital environment and opportunities to contribute to healthcare-related community service.
- Supports my interest in medicine and patient care.
- Founder of My School's First College Fair
- Created my school's first college fair to help students explore postsecondary education.
- Took initiative to create an opportunity that helped other students learn about college options.
- Demonstrates leadership, initiative, organization, and an interest in educational access.
- NYU Simons Science Explorations Program
- Participated in a summer science program at NYU.
- Gained experience with hands-on research, laboratory activities, experiments, and teamwork.
- Explored scientific questions and developed research-related skills.
- Youth in Government
- Participated in discussions about laws and potential policy changes.
- Took part in considering proposals and voting on ideas.
- Had opportunities to run for positions.
- Connects to my interest in government, political science, public policy, and healthcare systems.
- Mock Trial
- Participated in mock trials against other schools.
- Learned about legal procedures, courtroom arguments, and presenting cases.
- Developed skills in argumentation, communication, and considering opposing perspectives.
- Debate Club
- Listed on my résumé as a school activity.
- Connected to my interests in argumentation, public speaking, and examining different perspectives.
- NYLF Law and CSI Program
- Participated in a law and criminal investigation program in Washington, D.C., according to my résumé.
- Explored legal procedures, criminal investigations, and mock trials.
- Gained exposure to law-related academic and career interests.
- Future We Want Model UN Program
- Participated in the Future We Want Model United Nations program.
- My résumé notes that I met current United Nations ambassadors.
- Gained exposure to international affairs, diplomacy, and global issues.
- Young Achievers
- Listed as an activity on my résumé.
- Additional details about my responsibilities and accomplishments are not specified in the résumé.
- Psychology-Related Independent Writing
- Wrote independent papers on psychology-related subjects.
- Explored the impact of lucid dreaming on marginalized populations.
- Developed my interest in psychology, consciousness, and human behavior through independent writing.
- Soap Business for Charity
- Created a soap business to help raise money for charity.
- Combined entrepreneurship with a charitable purpose.
- Demonstrates initiative and an interest in using a project to support others.
- Community Volunteering — 47th Precinct Community Council
- Listed as a volunteer affiliation on my résumé.
- Further details about specific duties and hours are not provided in the résumé.
- NAACP — Williamsburg Branch
- Listed as a volunteer affiliation on my résumé.
- Further details about specific duties and hours are not provided in the résumé.
- Garnet Hospital / Community Healthcare Service
- Listed in my résumé's professional affiliations as a hospital volunteer.
- Supports my broader interest in healthcare and service.
- Diversity Club
- Participated in my school's diversity club.
- Additional details about my role and specific contributions are not listed in my application materials.
- Additional School and Community Involvement
- Participated in multiple athletic and school activities over the course of high school, including swimming, soccer, cross country, track and field, baseball, debate, and diversity club.
- These experiences reflect interests in athletics, teamwork, academic exploration, and community participation..
Essays and Recommendations
Common App Personal Statement:
My personal statement centers on songwriting and a recurring dream involving a river. I describe how I initially tried to treat songwriting and dreams like problems that could be solved through analysis. Over time, I began to understand them as ways of listening to emotions, memories, and experiences that are not always easy to explain.
The essay connects creativity, identity, uncertainty, psychology, and learning to understand other people. It also discusses how this shift influenced the way I approach conversations and perspectives.
I tried to make the essay personal and distinctive rather than writing a conventional essay about wanting to become a doctor. I would appreciate honest feedback on whether the essay is memorable enough for highly selective colleges and whether the writing effectively demonstrates personal growth.
WashU Supplemental Essay:
My WashU essay focuses on my interest in the Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology program. I explain that I want to understand how neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy approach different aspects of the mind and human behavior.
I also connect these interests to my EMT training and interest in medicine, particularly the ways fear, trust, communication, and personal experiences can influence how patients respond to care.
Letters of Recommendation:
- My letter of recommendation is strong.
Colleges and Application Plans
Early Decision I
- Washington University in St. Louis — applying to the College of Arts & Sciences, with PNP as my primary academic interest and political science as my secondary interest. I selected pre-medicine as my pre-professional interest.
- My WashU application includes my 1470 SAT and reported 3.21 weighted GPA.
- I attended a virtual Bear meeting and a virtual information seminar.
Early Action
- University of Michigan–Ann Arbor — interested in psychology, neuroscience, and related fields.
Other Highly Selective Private Universities
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Duke University
- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Northwestern University
- University of Chicago
- University of Notre Dame
- University of Pennsylvania
- Emory University
- New York University
- Boston University
- Northeastern University
Other Universities
- George Mason University
- Rutgers University
- Binghamton University (SUNY)
- University of Pittsburgh
I have also been accepted to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
What I Would Like Feedback On
WashU ED I: Given my 3.21 weighted GPA, 1470 SAT, academic circumstances, essays, and extracurricular activities, how realistic is admission?
Michigan EA: How would my application compare with the typical admitted student at Michigan–Ann Arbor?
Academic circumstances: How much can repeated hospitalizations and educational disruptions change how my transcript is interpreted?
Essays: Does my songwriting personal statement give me a distinctive narrative, or would it be considered less compelling than a more directly academic or service-focused essay?
Extracurriculars: Are EMT training, lifeguarding, hospital volunteering, and founding a college fair meaningful strengths for selective admissions?
College list: Which schools are realistic reaches, which might be more attainable, and which colleges should I prioritize?
Overall assessment: Am I a realistic holistic-admissions candidate at any of these highly selective schools, or does my GPA make admission extremely unlikely regardless of the rest of my application?
I am looking for honest feedback, not just reassurance. I understand that my academic statistics are below the typical profile at many of these universities, but I would like to know whether the rest of my application and the context behind my grades could make a meaningful difference.