Chance a swissie!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Hi everyone, </p>

<p>Happy almost New Year! I don’t usually post here, but since I’m busy like all of you being swamped with applications, thought I’d take a break and not apply but talk about applications -.-</p>

<p>Berkeley was the first campus I ever visited and I just.. hope I might be a good match. I hope you guys will chance me - I will chance back :) Thanks!! </p>

<p>Here are my STATS: </p>

<p>PROFILE: </p>

<p>International student, 18 years old, goes to Swiss public school (lived in Switzerland for my entire life)
Born in Brazil and American parents: dual citizenship</p>

<p>ACADEMICS:</p>

<p>SAT I:
R: 710 W: 620 M: 610 = 1940
R: 630 W: 690 M: 620 = 140</p>

<p>SAT II:
French: 800
Spanish with listening: 700
(some schools like Pomona/Yale require all of my scores so they also see this spanish reading: 690 and litt: 630 - yeah i know, bad days)</p>

<p>GRADES: </p>

<p>Public school = difficult and challenging, 12 mandatory subjects. I’ve been taking these classes (approximately) for the last four years: french, german, spanish, english, physics, chem, bio, math, geo, history, philosophy, eco, law, PE, history of art, visual arts etc...</p>

<p>My school offers NO honors and only 1 or 2 extracurriculars, but I was lucky enough to get a high average my sophomore and junior year, I got an honors certificate which few get. I’m in top 5 % of my class. (Freshman year I almost got the certificate but didn’t). Aced most of my classes and showed significant improvement over three years. </p>

<p>LANGUAGES:
Speak five: english, french (school is in french), german, spanish, portuguese
I’m comfortable with all of them and they’re one of my best assets. </p>

<p>ECS: </p>

<p>Student council president (2011-2012) and member for four years
Kickboxing for two years: now a green belt
Youth Advisory Board Member for a site for four years: write articles and interview musical artists etc
Model UN participant: one of two students from my HS to be chosen for this session (2011)
12 years of dance (classical, modern, hiphop)
10 years of piano</p>

<p>Strongs recs and essays. </p>

<p>I know I don’t have TEN ECs or whatever but I’m really passionate about what I do. I’m interested in a variety of things, that’s one of my problems. I always try to do too much and end up never sleeping. </p>

<p>UNIQUENESS:
I’m the only one from my school applying to US schools. I grew up with US ideas and traditions as well as Swiss principles. I’m passionate with what I do and excel in school. Albeit the lack of opportunities, I still managed to get involved in ECs and in student council etc. My SATs aren’t amazing but my grades are good and solid. </p>

<p>Anyway, any questions ask me! </p>

<p>THANKS!</p>

2

<p>I think you have a good shot. Your extracurriculars and your background will make up for some numbers on your SAT, in my opinion :slight_smile: Your SAT isn’t super horrendous, either way. I love hearing about people with really unique talents with language and culture and with interesting/different backgrounds. I also think the admissions people will agree, and will think that this will add to what you’ll be able to contribute to the campus. Do you have some kind of GPA or class rank that goes with your school?
I know that international students are graded a little more harshly than national and in-state applicants. But I don’t know if, for internationals, they’ll put more emphasis on essays/EC or numbers (SAT, GPA, etc.). I was an international and for my essays I wrote something similar to yours about my background. An essay outlining the different ideals and principles you grew up with, like you mentioned, would be really cool. </p>

<p>PS: E eu tambem acho muito legal que voce nasceu no Brazil!</p>

3

<p>I think the fact that you went out of your way to have ECs even though your school doesn’t have them is a good thing. Also, don’t worry about lack of ‘honors’ or stuff. Admissions will see that you’re stretching yourself in the context of your school’s opportunities. Play up your strengths in languages in your essays: I think to be fluent in five different languages, even if they’re all kinda related, is pretty impressive, especially if you can use that ability as a launch pad for some cause or EC that you’re passionate about. You have an interesting background and admissions loves that. All in all you have a really good shot. Bonne chance!</p>