How I got into Harvard + more (Brown, UPenn, Cornell, Vanderbilt, etc.)

Summary

In this video, Kayen shares their high school academic journey, detailing their rigorous course load including multiple AP classes, their GPA progression, and top 10 ranking. They discuss SAT and ACT scores, emphasizing the improvement to a 1510 SAT and a 34 ACT. Kayen also highlights various honors and awards, their extracurricular activities showcasing leadership in the Black Student Union and Math Honor Society, and their character-building experiences in sports and part-time jobs. The summary of their Common App extracurriculars and the significance of their work at McDonald's and Buffalo Wild Wings rounds out the overview.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Kayen, the channel host, applied to five IVs and got into four, emphasizing the importance of a strong academic and extracurricular profile.
• 🏫 Kayen attended a public school in North Georgia, debunking rumors about attending a private school, which is a common misconception among viewers.
• 📚 Throughout high school, Kayen took a rigorous course load, including one AP as a freshman, two APs as a sophomore, and seven APs as a junior, showcasing a commitment to academic excellence.
• 🔢 Kayen had a high GPA of 4.45 at the time of application and improved to a 4.6 by the end of senior year, ranking 8th out of 620 students initially and moving up to 4th by graduation.
• 📝 Kayen took both the SAT and ACT, achieving a 1510 on the SAT and a 34 on the ACT, with the latter being the score sent to colleges due to its higher range.
• 🏅 The host received various honors, including a Certificate of Honor in mathematics and social studies, and was a National Merit Commended Student, highlighting academic achievements.
• 🏆 Kayen and a friend won third place at the HOSA State Leadership Conference for mental health promotion, demonstrating involvement in extracurricular activities.
• 💼 Kayen held leadership positions in the Black Student Union and Math Honor Society, and was a varsity athlete and cheerleader, showing a well-rounded profile with diverse interests.
• 📊 Kayen volunteered in data research and analysis for a local business initiative, indicating community involvement and a proactive approach to learning outside of school.
• 🍟 The host's experience working at McDonald's and Buffalo Wild Wings was noted by admissions officers, suggesting that resilience and work ethic are valued in college applications.
• 📝 Kayen's application included a detailed resume and thoughtful descriptions of activities, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and context in presenting one's experiences.

Q & A

What is the name of the channel host?

The channel host's name is Kayen.

Why did the video take a month to make according to Kayen?

Kayen apologizes for the delay, attributing it to the hardships of life, without specifying the exact reasons.

Where does Kayen go to school?

Kayen attends a public school in North Georgia.

How many AP classes did Kayen take in their freshman year?

Kayen took only one AP class, AP Human, during their freshman year.

What is the significance of the 'ab+bc' course in Kayen's school?

The 'ab+bc' course is AP Calculus AB and BC offered within semester portions, and it can be counted as either six or seven AP classes.

Did Kayen take any classes at a community college?

Yes, Kayen enrolled in Psychology, Government, and Economics at a local community college.

What was Kayen's GPA when applying to schools?

Kayen's GPA when applying to schools was 4.45.

What standardized tests did Kayen take?

Kayen took both the SAT and ACT, twice each.

Which test scores did Kayen submit to schools?

Kayen submitted their ACT score of 34 to schools, but listed both SAT and ACT scores on the Common App.

What is the significance of the 'Certificate of Honor' in Kayen's application?

The 'Certificate of Honor' signifies academic excellence in specific subjects and was one of the first honors listed by Kayen.

What extracurricular activity was most important to Kayen?

The most important extracurricular activity to Kayen was their involvement with the Black Student Union, where they served as President.

What job did Kayen have during high school?

Kayen worked at Buffalo Wild Wings and previously at McDonald's during high school.

What was the role of the 'data research and analysis volunteer' position?

As a data research and analysis volunteer, Kayen helped local businesses by providing advice on reaching out to students based on data analysis.

What did Kayen win at the HOSA State Leadership Conference?

Kayen and a friend won third place at the HOSA State Leadership Conference for mental health promotion.

Why did Kayen list 'historian of Rho Pi Rho' last in their extracurricular activities?

Kayen listed it last because they didn't do much in that role, but it still showed leadership and involvement.

How did Kayen's work experience at McDonald's impact their college application?

The work experience at McDonald's was seen as character-building by admissions officers and was highlighted in their application.

What was the name of the social media campaign Kayen co-founded?

The social media campaign Kayen co-founded was called 'Breaking the Silence'.