An International Student's Extracurriculars

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>Id really appreciate it if you can evaluate the strength of my extracurricular activities for top 5 and Ivy league schools. Im currently a junior, so I still have sometime left. </p>

<p>Note:Im currently attending an elite private school in the middle east. Its a big name in the country. Lots of Alumni at top schools in the U.S. No clubs though.</p>

<p>Also note that I attended the last year of Junior Highschool in Alberta, which includes grades 7 to 9 (7 & 8 were in Ontario,Canada). So the clubs I joined in 9th grade I had an executive position in, since its the highest grade at the school.</p>

<p>My education is considered very international since I studied in many places (which kind of hurts solid understanding of some concepts), does this help for international focus schools like UPenn (Wharton, specifically)</p>

<p>-Legacy Group, Executive member, 1 year (group fundraised money to build a school in Senegal, school is now complete but I was only involved in the year of fundraising, since I "graduated" Junior High that year) Past accomplishments of the group: Backpacks to Mexico, School desks to Kenya</p>

<p>-Saudi Student Club, 8 years</p>

<p>-Karate Yellow belt with 3 black stripes+red tip, 1 year</p>

<p>-Division II Basketball (Non-school team), 2nd Place playoffs, 1 year</p>

<p>-Intramural Badminton League, Doubles, 2nd Place, 1 year</p>

<p>-First Aid Certification-Level A</p>

<p>-Sports Medicine Junior Trainer – 20 hours (part of class requirement, should I include this?)</p>

<p>-Youth Science Foundation Canada –Regional Correspondent, 1 Year</p>

<p>-Youth Science Foundation Canada – School Representative, 1 Year</p>

<p>-Cayley Mathematics Competition 2009, ranked above average/pretty good, cant remember since we were only told, not given any paper or anything</p>

<p>-<em>Community Program</em>(F.L.Y) Fostering Leadership in Youth , 16 hours of volunteer work</p>

<p>-Aide, Advisor to School President</p>

<p>-Finance & Technology writer, School magazine (submitted 2 amazing articles, magazine never published due to some red tape, although editor-in-chief can vouch for me)</p>

<p>-School Campaign to assist the fatal winter 2009 flood victims, renovation and repair of 2 impoverished 2009 flood victims’ homes, co-Founder, Treasurer</p>

<p>-Physics Team 2010 (DID NOT REPRESENT SCHOOL AT THE PROVINCIAL PHYSICS OLYMPIAD DUE TO SICKNESS)</p>

<p>-School's Annual Exhibition, Chemistry project</p>

<p>-School's Annual Exhibition, Physics project</p>

<p>-"Open Line" free homework help for classmates, so far I logged 10 calls, each one ranging from 20 to 35 minutes</p>

<ul>
<li><p>GYLC 2010 Conference nominee, declined due to busy summer schedule</p></li>
<li><p>Personally set up a Summer Unpaid "Internship" at a national Investment Bank, 2 weeks, work with Investment Banking and Institutional Portfolio Management divisions</p></li>
<li><p>Personally set up a Summer Unpaid "Internship" at a Bulge Bracket Investment Bank, 2 weeks, working with Valuation and M&A Advisory</p></li>
<li><p>Personally set up a Summer Unpaid "Internship" at a large international corporation, 2 weeks, Technical division (sale & installation of automated systems)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Awards:
Honour Roll,9
Principal's List,9
Science Excellence Award,9
Science Outstanding Achievement Award,9
Social Studies (Economics) Excellence Award,9
Social Studies (Economics) Outstanding Achievement Award,9
Public Speaking Award,9
Service Medal (nominated by 2 teachers, only 1 awarded / year), 9
Griffin Sportsmanship Medal, 10
Outstanding Achievement in Financial Management Medal, 10</p>

2

<p>Grades 2-10 all in Canada</p>

3

<p>bump just tell me what you think!</p>

4

<p>Only grades 9-12 matter.</p>

5

<p>I know, just givin some background info. What do you think of the extracurriculars?</p>

6

<p>There’s nothing really of a state, national or international level. You’re definitely involved in things, however, you’ll be up against students who represent the country overseas and win national competitions. I’ve heard that the most important thing is how you represent yourself as an interesting individual - you’re not an American, so people won’t be expecting you to fit the mould you see here. Just present who you believe to be in your essays and hope for the best :)</p>

7

<p>Yeah the way ivys choose international students are really different. I never understand it. A lot of times officers pick students that look less impressive on resume just because they like their essays or their experience. I’ve seen a lot of things like that. Also some lied and exaggerated about almost everything for their EC’s and essays got into ivys because you can’t really check their EC’s as they are so far away… For ec wise you definitely qualify for ivys, so it’s all about your essay. Write something that’s really impressive and unique, and don’t be afraid to exaggerate things because they will never know!</p>

8

<p>yeah…I totally agree with #7</p>

<p>International student’s ECs are usually good, so the admission officers didn’t pay too much attention on it…</p>

9

<p>Seriously though, I did not exaggerate anything in my Extracurriculars. </p>

<p>So you really think this is Ivy-material? man I feel so good! </p>

<p>Also, Im going to be either paying cash or having a Full-ride (annual roundtrip tickets, monthly stipend, clothing allowance, etc.) scholarship, how does this affect my chances of admission at Ivy league schools as an International Student? thanks!</p>

10

<p>BUMP!!!
Do you think that my ability to pay cash or by a Full ride, no-strings major scholarship for tuition will positively affect an International Student’s admissions chances at Ivy league schools/top 5?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>