Applying from Burma - My Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Barnard College
1

<p>Hi, my name is Charlotte Wang. I’m applying to a few other LACs as well, but Barnard and Wellesley are on the top of my list. I’m hoping someone can assess/give advice on my chances? Thanks. </p>

<p>It’s hard to look at other people’s resumes and compare it to mine, because (1) GPA, and (2) location. </p>

<p>First of all, I have dual citizenship from Burma (Myanmar) and Taiwan. Although I was born in Taipei, I’ve practically lived/gone to school in the South East Asia (Burma and Cambodia). I don’t know if it will help my chances, but I’ve written a couple of Short answers and essays about being living in a forgotten cuontry. (Can you believe this, we didn’t get our October or November SATs because some idiot at Collegeboard mistook Burma for Bangladesh and sent our tests there instead!) For those reasons, I’m taking my SAT IIs in January, and thankfully, the admissions officer said they’ll accept my January scores.</p>

<p>As for the GPA business - I have a 3.3 GPA however, the highest GPA in my class is 3.5. Our school’s curriculum is extremely rigorous and the teachers are unforgivingly tough. (But I guess that’s to my advantage =D)</p>

<p>So on with the stats</p>

<p>SAT V: 720
SAT M: 700
TOEFL: 660</p>

<p>I will be taking SAT IIs in US History, Biology and Literature.</p>

<p>My AP courses
AP US History - 4 (Taken in junior year)
AP Biology - 4 (Taken in junior year)
AP Literature
AP Psychology
AP French
AP European History (independent study)</p>

<p>Work Experience</p>

<p>Last summer I worked as a reporter and feature writer at the Myanmar Times which is the only English paper in the country (paid internship). I have over 20 articles published and am planning to send one or two clippings in my application. I worked 49 hours a week for two months. By the second month my salary was raised 50%! </p>

<p>ECs</p>

<p>-Community Service-

  1. Community Service at school - 9~12
  2. Tutoring orphans and poor students - 11~12 (my own program)
  3. Tutoring middle school students and ESL kids at my school – 12
  4. Rotary Tsunami Relief Work (one out of two selected student representatives to travel
    to Bangkok, Thailand)
  5. Katrina Relief Charity Drive</p>

<p>-Student Government-

  1. Vice President of Student Council
  2. Student Representative in Committee of Technology Board</p>

<p>-Music-

  1. Instrument: Piano – 6 years
  2. Piano accompanist of school choir - 12
  3. Choir member of VOCE – 9~ 12
  4. Piano solo (Mozart and Chopin)
  5. Vocal solo (Gospel song, “Hush, Someone’s Calling My Name”)
  6. Recording of vocal solo in soundtrack (techno remix)
  7. Created new music class – “American Music History, Theory and Practicum”</p>

<p>-Sports-

  1. Varsity Softball – Third bas woman 9~12 (I started our in ninth grade as a bench substitute, then I got promoted to left field, and finally in my junior year, I became third base woman. I am now the top three batters on the team)
  2. Community Softball (YISL) – The only softball league in the country. It is organized by the American Embassy, consisting of Marines and the other international community. We are the only team competing that is under 18. </p>

<p>3 Adjectives that Describe Me
Passionate Leader
Hard-minded but open-hearted
Gritty Perfectionist</p>

<p>Possible Major
International Relations
(If I get in Wellesley or Grinnell, I would like to double major in IR and Chinese)</p>

<p>Please Note:
In my junior year, I did not get on the honor roll at all, suffered grade drop due to many factors (mainly to do with my father’s disappearance) – however, I got myself sorted out in the summer, got a job, and by senior year I was one out of two people who got on the honor roll. </p>

<p>Sorry that took so long, but I really feel that this list can’t really sum up the person that I am. Numbers can only go so far. </p>

<p>What I think would make me stand out is my driving passion. In my essays and short answers, I expressed my concern for my country and how I would like to come back (after receiving my degree in IR) to help. I have a pretty good rapport with my teachers and counselor, and I am fairly confident that their recommendations will make up for any numbers on my resume, particularly the GPA. </p>

<p>I still, however would like an anonymous opinion about my chances. My counselor is a very nice lady, and I’m afraid she is too optimistic.</p>

<p>Please help me. (And if anyone would like to read/edit/critique/comment on any of my essays, please let me know. Leave behind your email, and I will be sure to get them to you.)</p>

<p>Thank you so much. Or as in Burmese we say, ‘kyay zu tin ba dae’. =D</p>