chance me/help me boost my app + stand out PLSS

Hey y'all, I'm applying in the upcoming application cycle for college and I'm worried my stats and EC's just aren't good enough for competitive schools/ programs that I'm applying to. I'm hoping to find some advice on how to make what I have stand out with the schools I'm applying to. Please help!!

I'm from Texas and planning to follow a pre-med track, majoring in either Biology or Neuroscience. My main target is UT Austin's honors program (either Dean's Scholars or Health Science) and I'm also applying to a few more in-state schools (Baylor, Rice), a lot of out-of-state, and some BS/MD programs as well. My stats:

  • Rank: 32/913
  • GPA- UW: 4.0 W: 5.2
  • SAT: 1540 (780 R, 760 M)
  • PSAT/NMSQT: 1460 (760 R, 700 M)
  • ACT: 35 (34 M, 35 R, 35 S)
  • 12 APs-5's on Human Geo, Bio, Precalc, Chem, Lang, Psych; 4's on World Hist, US Hist, Calc BC, and Physics 1, currently taking Stats and Lit (expecting 5s on both)

Awards/Honors: AP Scholars with Honors, AP Scholars with distinction, Collegeboard National Recognition, National Merit Scholar Semifinalist (expected)

EC's:

  • Varsity & Chamber Choir for all of HS, Area Qualifier for TMEA, Rank 1 Soloist
  • President of Heart Club (HS Chapter of the American Heart Association) -- Planned and organized a school-wide hands-only CPR workshop, raised funds for AHA, nominee for Teen of Impact
  • Junior Volunteer at a hospital- 50 hours
  • Orchestra for 2 years (violin)-- All- District Orchestra member
  • United Sounds Program Mentor- Volunteered to teach students in Special Education program orchestral instruments (violin), performed with them in 2 concerts, one for the district administrative board
  • Math and Reading tutor for 1 1/2 years
  • HOSA Biotechnology- Area Qualifier
  • Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) -- tutored students in Alg 1, Alg 2, Geometry
  • VP of English Honor Society-- Tutored freshman/sophomore english students, led & co-edited a school literary newsletter
  • NHS
  • Shadowing a family med physician
  • **I'm also taking an EMT course and expected to be a certified EMT by this summer with about a month of clinical experience, I have my BLS license as well

I'm expecting to have pretty good rec letters and I'm a pretty solid writer as well so for essay/supplementals I should be okay

My current college list (though still subject to change):

  • UT EA
  • Rice
  • Baylor
  • UNC EA
  • U Pitt BSMD
  • Penn State BSMD
  • RPI BSMD
  • UPenn ED
  • Rutgers EA/BSMD
  • Rochester BSMD
  • Duke ED
  • Northwestern ED
  • Case Western
  • Tufts
  • U Conn
  • U Mich
  • UVA
  • Vanderbilt
  • WashU
  • Emory
  • Hofstra EA/BSMD

Posted Sep 3, 2025, 6:14 PM UTC

15
Loading comments…