<p>I did my (Edexcel) GCSEs in June 2011 and got 8 straight As, half being A*s (including math, physics, chemistry and english)
I then did (Edexcel) GCE AS Level in June 2012 and got BBCDD (B in math, econ, C in further math, D in phys, chem).</p>
<p>My SAT is 1440/2210 and SAT II is planned for math 2, physics and chemistry this fall with expected 2300+.</p>
<p>Obviously this is a very strange situation and I am having my exams rechecked since I know i did much, much better. But assuming my grades don't change, what are my chances for the following schools. I am a US citizen applying from abroad for a major in math or engineering.</p>
<p>-Northwestern
-Cornell
-UPenn
-Southern California
-Case Western</p>
<p>-Claremont McKenna
-Davidson</p>
<p>My grades are awesome in school, I've taken the toughest courseload, I'm expecting strong recommendations from my A Levels teachers and counselor who all agree my latest grades are impossible. My ECs are strong too and I've written my essays as well which I feel are honest and meaningful. </p>
<p>I think colleges might overlook your AS-level grades if the rest of your application is sufficiently strong. If you score well on your SAT IIs and your teachers vouch for your academic strength, it seems credible that your exams may have been graded incorrectly. </p>
<p>As for your chances, I don’t think anyone in this subforum is qualified to tell you that. You seem like a well-rounded applicant, but nothing you’ve posted here really "wow"s me. Many students I have personally met at the top universities (including Penn and Cornell) have had a particular accomplishment that went above and beyond what you’d expect an 18-year-old to do. There are the math prodigies who take Master’s level university classes in their junior year in high school; the rising political superstar who has a leadership position in a national party at age 19; the athlete who’ll make a great addition to the football team. </p>
<p>If you’ve got something going for you beyond “strongest student in his class”, I’d suspect that you would be a strong candidate for the more selective universities on your list.</p>
<p>Barium
Thanks for your advice. I don’t really have the ‘wow’ factor unless you consider being a jack-of-all-trades as qualifying (which I don’t think is enough!)
But for the schools after the top 20 ish, do I have much to worry about?</p>