reader but new to posting. just thought I would share information for those who are waiting...
was accepted to mit yesterday (visit weekends: March 22-24) and uc berkeley today (4 visit weekends, March 1=Organic, March 8=inorganic, March 15=chemical biology, March 22=mixed interests)
still waiting to hear from caltech and harvard
school: hyps group
gpa: 3.94 (cumulative)/3.98 (major:chemistry)
gre: 98% Q/ 99% V/ 6.0 AW/ 97% Chemistry
research: 2 summers funded research at home institution, 1 summer REU type research experience
awards: one major national science award, other awards from home institution
publications: 1 co-first author, 1 lower author, 1 manuscript in prep
LOR's:have been told they are very strong, one from PI, one from summer REU, one from academic advisor
presentations: no formal ones myself, but my name has been on talks by my professor at ACS/Gordon Conferences/etc.