<p>Anyway, As I am an international student planning to apply for NYU or Duke. My current GCSE grades are 2A<em>, 2B's, 1C, 1D and 4 E's. My AS Level grades are C, A, A. In my A level second year, I am planning to give 2 extras AS with my 3Alevel subjects and I am fully sure that I will scored A</em> and A's in all of these. This will overall make my A level result 3A* and 2A's, which will become 4 gpa if i convert it into that system.
If anyone of you is from british system, you would understand that my GCSES were terrible but honestly, I had some extenuating circumstances as well. But as I started my Alevel ( 11th and 12th according to american system), I realized that it was important for me to study very hard which i am doing!
Additionally, In my trial SAT I, i scored 1940 and was very happy with my result! I'm studying SAT II now and hopefully wish to score as much as I want to.
I want to get into some university in US which I've mentioned above.. It has been my biggest dream. I have a lot of extracurricular activities, Voluntary and non-voluntary work! I have a non-profit organization named You help them where I help women suffering from Acid terrorism and women who are sexually assaulted by their husbands. Getting an amount of money from my father to work on this organization made me to provide shelter to 23 women who have been suffering badly.
Second of all, I have done voluntary work in various organizations, such as, SOS, SPO and WWF.
Third of all, being a homeschooler, I taught Economics at a School in Pakistan ranked 7 overall and gained an experience of teaching.
And, I have an internship at a textile Mill and an international company, Reckitt Benckiser.
I have a feeling that my low GCSE's only will effect my overall application. Please tell me If I stand something at. I want to get into Duke badly. It has been my dream. Do you think I have a chance? Should I continue with my dream or Should I give up?
Some people say your 9th and 10th year grades matter when you're applying for Harvard or Yale which i am not! I have a very reasonable approach and I want to get into NYU or Duke.
I've heard people saying that they care about your extracurriculars alot which i do have! Please help me and tell me where I can get into.
I hope I get a reply soon!</p>
<p>Duke: Reach (aim for 32+ on the ACT)
NYU: Reach (but much lower of a reach than Duke)</p>
<p>Your extracurriculars are very impressive. However even a 1940 doesn’t put you in the average SAT score of NYU and Duke. You would need to aim for around a 2050-2100 to have a realistic chance at either. I don’t want to be pessimistic but based on your academics, this is what you’re probably looking at. However, an outstanding essay may increase your chances.</p>
<p>If you really do get A*s and As on your A-levels, try U Toronto, McGill or UBC; they will look past the SAT and the GCSEs.</p>
<p>Duke: You need a 2200 minimum to have a chance at getting in.
NYU: You need a 2100 minimum to stand a chance.</p>
<p>No one gets into a good college in the US with an SAT score that’s less than 2000. Your EC’s are good though so you definitely have a shot.</p>
<p>“NYU: You need a 2100 minimum to stand a chance.”</p>
<p>The middle 50% of SAT scores at NYU are 1830-2140. I’d hardly say 2100 is a requirement.</p>
<p>Just get the highest scores possible</p>
<p>In the end, scores are just one component. Do great essays and do well on your exams!</p>
<p>@RamdomHSer, People who get accepted with less than 2000 on their SAT are (almost always) URM’s, development cases, legacy applicants, or recruited athletes. The OP doesn’t fit any of these categories. Also, international students are held to a higher standard than domestic applicants at every top college. </p>
<p>.’. The OP will have to be better than the typical NYU admit so a 2100 is a good score to aim for.</p>
<p>“No one gets into a good college in the US with an SAT score that’s less than 2000.”</p>
<p>This comment disturbs me.</p>
<p>“No one gets into a good college in the US with an SAT score that’s less than 2000.”</p>
<p>Simply not true, especially for the top LACs. And internationals are usually put into a more competitive pool when they request financial aid, but since OP wants to get into NYU, I assume that’s not an issue. And even then, an ultra high score’s not necessary. </p>
<p>OP, I would suggest you try to score as high as you can (try for 2000+), but focus on other aspects as well. Especially your essays, they can make a huge difference.
Good luck!</p>
<p>When the SAT doesn’t work out, try the ACT, too…</p>
<p>No. the worst part is that I never studied science after 9th grade. I switched to Economics and ACT has a science part which i won’t be able to do. I wish I could. ;(</p>
<p>
I was referring to international applicants, not domestic applicants. International students are held to a higher standard than domestic applicants and their SAT’s are weighted more heavily.</p>
<p>I know what you said, but it’s still not true. Many top colleges are SAT-optional for internationals too, and if you look around CC you’ll find that many do get into good colleges with less than that. I got into a top LAC myself (1980 SAT, awful math score) and I’m an international who requested aid. I’m far from being the only one. Standardized test scores are not the only thing schools look at, although it does depend on the school.</p>
<p>With that said, OP, you should try to score as high as you can anyway. Have you considered self-studying for the ACT? You’re applying for the classs of '18, right? If that’s the case, you’d have plenty of time to study.</p>
<p>@Guitar500, I was using the phrase “top colleges” to refer to top 25 universities and top 4 LACs. I apologize for not being more specific in my wording.</p>