Hey! I am an international student and really anxious about admission decisions which are only a few days away! For the past few weeks, I have felt incredibly insecure and reasonably so. I really disliked the idea of chance posts, but I really want to consider this seriously in order to plan for college. I am considering applying to a few European schools in case things are not likely to work out. For one, the Harvard and MIT interview processes for students of my country are selective; they are initially waived but offered to some upon evaluation in late Feb and early March. I am still waiting but nothing has come up. I read somewhere that it may be either because you are already accepted or rejected or your application is still under review. The latter sounds unreasonable and even the former a little so because I haven’t known a single person from China/Singapore/India who got into Harvard without an interview. So I am in a mental fix and this is an outpour
So, here it goes.
Income: $25000-$30000
Prospective Major: CS/Physics
Scores:
ACT: 33
SAT Subject Test Math II: 800
SAT Subject Test Physics: 800
SAT Subject Test Chemistry: 800
APs (forgot to self-report on CommonApp and MITApp) : Chem: 5, Physics C Mechanics: 5, Physics C E&M: 5, Calculus BC: 5 [We are supposed to take APs in China, but did that to skip out of introductory classes]
School:
Rank: Top 1%
Recommendations:
Counselor: My school principal wrote a recommendation letter for me instead of the school counselor. Must be very good because she was enthusiastic about it. Has known me very well throughout high school. (probably 9/10)
English: My English teacher showed me her recommendation a few days back. It was glowing, full of anecdotes and personality. (10/10)
Physics: My teacher has known me forever as a student. Probably the person who knows me best! I haven’t seen the rec, but she has a reputation for writing amazing recommendations. (probably 9/10)
Other Recommendations:
From my research mentor (President of the Polish Academy of Sciences), a social activist and a representative of the national government (related to my activities). All should be positive and additive as they all know me very well.
Main ECs:
Research Fellow, Polish Academy of Sciences - Submitted a project in applied mathematics to the Academy and was awarded an all expense paid month-long research stay to expand on the project. It was computational physics.
Research Fellow, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and Dutch institute for Fundamental Energy Research (EuroFusion)- with the computational modeling of materials and plasmas.
Intern, Chinese Academy of Science and Brookings-Tsinghua Center
International Astronomy Olympiad 2016 - Bronze Medal
International Physics Olympiad Camp 2017
International Chemistry Olympiad Camp 2016
Volunteer at an Old Age Home - Conducted monthly art events for giving opportunities to young artists, volunteers, and musicians to engage with the elderly.
Volunteer at an orphanage - Raised money and created learning tools available to orphanages through an online charity match and funding platform.
I do a lot of art. Sent in an art portfolio along with a research portfolio to MIT. Sent only an art portfolio to Harvard.
President, School Student Council
President, Science Society
Member, Quizzing Society
I also realized that I forgot to mention my internship along with APs to MIT. I couldn’t find space for some other things too. Should I consider updating them now? It is only 5 days to Pi day Tau time
Thank you so much for your time! I really appreciate your kindness!