Chance a current junior pls?

International Students
1

Recently, I was trying to make a preliminary college list. But people on this forum kept saying that even NYU might be a high reach for me. And I’m extraordinarily disappointed in myself because of that. I tried so hard - the people who graduated from my previous high school in China would go to schools so much better than NYU (not that I don’t like NYU, I LOVE IT - but I have been considering it as one of my safeties). I simply do not understand why shifting from a Chinese International high school to US school would undermine my potentials so much.

With that being said, can someone please chance me for my desired UK schools?

Current Stats:
ACT: 30 Composite (I will be taking it more than once for sure.)
SAT Math Level 2: 800
SAT Chemistry: 800
AP Calculus AB: 5
AP Chemistry: 5

Currently Taking as a junior (w/ predicted score)
AP Calculus BC (5 for sure)
AP Physics C:Mechanics (5)
AP Music Theory (4 or 5)

Senior Plan (TBD)
AP Statistics
AP Physics C: Electromagnetism
AP Biology
Multivariable Calculus at NC State University

I have not taken my TOEFL yet (or I have, but the score has already expired; I got a 104 before I came to the US.)

Another question: I’ve noticed that the entry requirements of some schools, for instance - UCL, include CGPA. Does that mean I cannot apply as a high school applicant directly to its undergrad program? Can someone explain this to me?

Thank y’all in advance!

2

Intended Undegrad Course: Materials Science and Engineering

Schools of Interests (forgot the most important part, lolol):
Oxford
Imperial College London
University College London
University of Manchester
University of Edinburg

If someone has other suggestions about school choice, I’d love to hear them!

3

NYU isn’t a reach for you. At least not if those stats are accurate and if your GPA is pretty good. And I am assuming those test scores were from US test Centers not China. Why were people suggesting it was a reach for you?

4

@lostaccount They seem to be suggesting that my ECs are extremely weak. Though I admit that they are not strong, I’ve done what I can for sure. Do you think I have a good shot at those UK schools tho?

5

It doesn’t undermine your potential - it changes the pool against which you are compared. In many countries, ECs are not part of the culture and/or students have limited EC opportunities. Now you are in the US, where colleges expect that you will be involved in things beyond the classroom.

On the other hand, as I guess you know, the only ECs that the UK universities care about are ones that relate to your subject. With 5s on Physics, Calc BC and Chem you are in good shape for all of the UK unis except UCL and Oxford. As you have seen, you cannot apply to UCL straight from HS- they do not consider an American high school degree as sufficient preparation :slight_smile: For Oxford, your APs are good, but you also have to take the Physics Aptitude Test (there are samples online); if you do well enough you get invited to interview.