All CC members, any contribution would be hugely appreciated.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I'm an international living in Sydney, Australia. I'm applying to a number of top tier US colleges, all WITH AID. I know how difficult that is, please just chance me anyway.</p>

<hr>

<p>My stats are-</p>

<p>SAT-
M:750 CR:770 W:780 - 2300</p>

<p>SAT II -
Math IIC: 800
Biology M: 800</p>

<p>GPA -
We have no equivalent in Australia, but we have a final leaving examination mark, which is essentially a percentile ranking for the state. My estimate (by the school) is 99.4, and I'm expecting at least a 98.</p>

<p>Awards:
- Australian Biology Olympiad: High Distinction (2007)
- NSW Titration Competition: Certificate of Merit (2008)
- UNSW Sustainability Challenge: Junior Winner (2005)
- Australian Science Competition: High Distinction (2006)
- Da Vinci Decathlon: First Place in Mathematics (2006)
-Australasian Schools English Competition: Distinction (2003, 2004)
- Westpac Australian Mathematics Competition: High Distinction (2008)
- Australian Business Week: Winner of Team Cooperation Award (2006)
- National Geographic Australian Geography Competition: High Distinction (2006)
- NBHS HSC Japanese: First in Course (2008)
- NBHS HSC Biology: First in Course (2008)
- NBHS HSC Information Processes and Technology: First in Course (2006)
- PricewaterhouseCoopers Economics Competition: High Distinction (2007)
- NBHS Science: First in Course (2006)
- NBHS Computing Studies Junior Award for Excellence (2006)
- Australasian Schools Computer Skills Competition: High Distinction (2005, 2006)
- Robocup Robotics Competition: Junior Finalist (2005)
- Normanhurst Gold Medal of Excellence (2008)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars, Sports & Community Service:</p>

<p>-Student Representative Council (SRC) Member, past 6 years
-SRC Treasurer, 2008
-School 1st's Rugby Team
-Da Vinci Decathlon, Team Leader - Winner
-Robocup Team
-Australian Business Week Team, Chief Operating Officer
-Australian Biology Olympiad - National Scholar
-Bowden Brae Retirement Village 100 hours
*-Schools-for-Schools Program: *proposed by myself and set up with fellow student council members, this program goes to local primary schools, helping the transition from primary to high school by giving advice and creating friendships early on in the transition process.
*-MS Readathon Fundraiser (2003 – 2008): * Since 2003, I have raised about $1200 for this cause.
*-Multicultural Fair (2008) *</p>

<p>Research:
In 2006, I worked with the cochlear implant while assisting in research being done at the School of Electrical
Engineering at the University of Sydney.The cochlear implant, or “bionic ear”, which restores hearing for
thousands of profoundly deaf people worldwide, has an exterior component on the outside of the head and
interior component in the inner ear, located inside the skull. I was able to do research on the communication
technologies between these two components, and explored the use of a range of wireless technologies in the
device, in order to meet the detailed specifications required for the device, including technological,
operational and cost related issues</p>

<p>Also work at Domino's Pizza, Store Manager, about 12 hours per week</p>

<p>Recommendations:
I'm expecting fairly strong recommendations, obviously can't know for sure, but I'm pretty confident in their quality and praise.</p>

<hr>

<p>Schools I'm applying to are -
-Stanford
-Yale
-MIT
-UCB
-UCLA
-Vanderbilt University
-John Hopkins University - BME program
-U. Southern California (aiming for merit scholarship)
-Boston University (aiming for merit scholarship)
-Purdue University (aiming for merit scholarship)</p>

<p>Thank you everyone who contributes for taking your time to help me,
sitk,</p>

2

<p>im pretty sure most of the schools you've listed are unfortunately not need-blind. yale does say that it's need-blind but that doesn't mean that it's need-aware. in fact, you will be considered on a separate pile because of that consideration and thus you'll face competition from similar, strong applicants worldwide (esp. those Korean robots). with that in mind, i think you still have a solid chance at most of the schools with the exception of S, Y and MIT. (also those schools require 3 SAT IIs)</p>

3

<p>What do u mean yale is need-aware when they say they are need-blind for internationals?</p>

<p>Also, they require 2 SAT subject tests:</p>

<p>MIT -
[quote]
In addition, we require two SAT Subject Tests: one in math (level 1 or 2), and one in science (physics, chemistry, or biology e/m). We do not have a preference as to which science you take or which level math you take.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Stanford -
[quote]
We recommend (but do not require) that you submit official results of at least two SAT Subject Tests, as these additional scores often assist us in our evaluation process.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yale -
[quote]
Yale requires applicants to submit the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I) and any two SAT II Subject Tests, or the American College Test (ACT)

[/quote]
</p>

4

<p>Oh, I must have confused Harvard's policies with other colleges'. Mea culpa ;)</p>

5

<p>haha, mea culpa = my bad, i just learnt a new phrase</p>

<p>i guess that's where "culprit" comes from</p>

6

<p>bump~~please chance a nervous yet confident (haha) international</p>

7

<p>Your profile is great, but you'll be competing with the best in the world. Bear in mind that UCLA and UCB are really tough to get into from out of state. You know there are other state universities that are almost/just as good that are easier to get into, and are cheaper. Nonetheless, I think you'll get some acceptances.</p>

8

<p>Which other state universities would you recommend? I looked at GATech but it offers literally no merit or need aid of any kind to internationals, and I definitely need at least some aid/scholarships. I know UCB and UCLA don't offer much aid either, but those are like my dream public schools so I'm applying anyway</p>