Hi! I was wondering if I could get some advice, please. My top choices at the moment are MIT, Stanford, Columbia, Yale, and Harvard. I know it is high-reach, but I am willing to put in all the hard work to get there. I am applying this fall (I think EA,) so I am just finishing up junior year - I am also a bit young for my grade (15) and I do not know if that makes a difference.
Currently, I am writing my first SAT in May - I estimate I will be writing 750+ on English and 650+ on Math (working hard to get math to 700.) My best practice score is a 1480, and I hope to write around a 1450 in this next official test. If not, I will be writing again in August. I will also have one chance to write subject tests in August (for MIT) which I think will be physics, math I, and English. I estimate writing 650+ (hopefully 700+) on physics and Math 1 (I am unsure of whether I could write math II since I do it easily in school, but I struggle with ST’s.) I have a perfect GPA, but the standardized tests are giving me a bit of trouble (I am not completely sure why; I have increased my score from 900 to 1200 on my own and 1200 to 1400 with a tutor) and that is what I am worrying will keep me out of my dream schools.
I am an international student (in an American school) and since my old counselor left mid-sophomore year, I got a new one which I am really struggling with. Somewhere along the line, since I did not know the American system well until I moved here 2 months ago, I ended up never having any AP subjects, just Honors. Therefore, I will not be able to submit any AP scores for college during this application, which I think might also be an issue, since I see juniors submitting apps with 9 AP’s.
I play tennis for my country and my ranking is pretty good in the U.S., but not good enough to be a “top recruit” just for an athletic scholarship. I am also much more interested in academics than my sport.
I am a MUN officer, Student Government Administrator, Math Team Captain, Debate Team member, and Student Blogger.
Additionally, I am very involved regarding community service and run two projects which I founded.
I believe that if the admissions offices view my application holistically, my application becomes much more attractive, since I feel I offer so much more than my statistics. However, I have received a lot of comments saying my scores will never make it past the first cut and that my app will get tossed in the trash before they even get past all my scores. Is this true?
Even if I get to a 1450+, 700+ on subject tests, with only AP’s in senior year, with good essays and a good interview, am I going to get in? Will they really see what else I have to offer beyond my scores? Do you possibly have any other advice to get into these schools? Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, but I am becoming quite nervous about my application.
Students with even perfect scores and international awards are routinely rejected by these schools. The acceptance rates are all well below 10%, and it’s even more competitive for international students.
Spend your time focusing on finding match and safety schools that you like, not on reach schools.
I don’t see you as a top contender for the most selective schools. Nothing outstanding and too many who are who aren’t all getting seats. These schools are lottery tickets anyways so go on ahead and buy a ticket. Don’t take anyone’s word for it.
I suggest looking at other less selective schools if you really want to go to college in 2020. Otherwise, as you are still young for college, take a year and focus on some directed fantastic activity focusing on an issue facing your country. Work like a fiend on your test scores to get way way up there. That would elevate your chances somewhat. But even with top numbers, there simply aren’t enough seats to go around. You should also research other more realistic options for yourself in that time. It’s way to pick the top name schools. The. challenge is finding the lesser known ones that have what you want in education and colege experience
The schools that you listed all have acceptance rates in the single digits, and the odds for international applicants are significantly worse. SATII is not just for MIT. The other schools on the list would expect them as well, and your projected scores would not be considered great at those schools. Your best shot at those schools is as a tennis recruit. Ivy’s don’t give athletic scholarships, but if you are ranked high enough to be recruited it could get you admitted.
Will you be applying for and will you require financial aid to attend college?
If you are full pay, you’d have a pretty decent shot at NYU. They’re known for accepting full pay international students.
I wouldn’t place my “top choices” as those schools like others are saying, pick safeties that offer a good education w/ a reasonable price and i’d also get that sat score higher!!
You’ve been in this school 2 months, but your former GC left soph year? Not adding up for me. Are you a junior now?
Tippy tops will want the math score well above 700. You have not told us what you “offer” a top college, just the bare bones of your current hs experience. A few hs clubs and a sport won’t do it. Founding some service thing is generally not a tip.
And you don’t mention major. If it’s stem, where are the math-sci ECs?
You need to learn what those colleges look for, from them. How have you researched this?