Chance an international for Stanford, MIT and Berkeley

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I've officially reduced myself to posting a chances thread. I'm applying to Stanford, Berkeley and MIT as an international student (Europe). Please be brutally frank.</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Indian (Asian)
Gender: Sasquatch (Hairy male)
School Type: Small private school (~70 people in graduating class)
Not applying for financial aid.</p>

<p>Academics-
GPA: School doesn't do GPA
IGCSEs: 10 A*s, 1 A (these aren't too well known in America)
Full IB diploma: Predicted 45 (out of 45)
Rank: My school doesn't rank, but top 5%
SAT: 1470/2190 (750M, 720CR, 720W). Might retake for 2200+.
SAT II's: Not taken yet, but hoping for 780+ in Math II and Physics and 700+ in French.</p>

<p>Classes:
IB full diploma: Math, Physics, Economics HL, English A1, French B, Chemistry SL</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities (in no particular order):
- President of student council (Junior and Senior year)
- Elected student leader of a charity organization. During my time in the organization, I've helped organize about twenty events and we've raised about 40,000 euros. (10, 11, 12) I devote a lot of time to this!
- Model United Nations (11, 12)
- Played guitar for 6 years, drums for 4 years.
- Photography - I sell my photos on a stock image website.
- I'm a freelance web designer, graphic designer and photographer. I started a business with two classmates and we earn money working on freelance projects.</p>

<p>-Awards: (mainly school awards lol, we don't really get award opportunities here):
- Outstanding Academic Achievement award generally given to top 2 students. Received 2 years in a row.
- Gold award in UK maths challenge.
- Subject awards in Biology, IT, French, Italian, Economics and English.
- Won the school talent show lol.</p>

<p>Recs-
- Teachers - Haven't written them yet, but hopefully they will be good because the teachers I will ask for my recs know me really well. I will probably also get a supplementary rec from the chairman of the charity organization I work with.</p>

<p>Hooks: None (drat)</p>

2

<p>I think that you have a great chance at Berkeley
But Stanford and MIT would be reach…
you should take the SAT again, it may really change things around for you if you get over 2300.
Chance me too!!!it’s right underneath this thread</p>

3

<p>i drifted in here from athletic recruits but thought I’d through in my opinion </p>

<p>Cal is a reach. they’re under a lot of pressure to serve in state students first, although you do represent money to them if you’re full fare international.
Stanford big reach
MIT reach</p>

<p>you need higher SAT scores to get into these schools on straight academics as an international student. and for MIT I suggest nailing an 800 SAT math score</p>

<p>for Stanford you need to show passion and focus in one area…math/science?</p>

<p>for MIT kick **s math scores</p>

4

<p>Bump. Thanks for the responses.</p>

5

<p>Bump and jump.</p>

6

<p>Can I just point out that I’m not as concerned about my chances as I am about what I should try and focus on to strengthen my application. Chances are a complete crapshoot and my expectations for myself aren’t too high, so I know where I stand.</p>

<p>I’m retaking the SAT in December so hopefully that will give that extra push - wasn’t too happy about the 750 in maths, so hopefully I can get that up to 770+, whilst also improving on the other sections. 2300 would be a dream come true, but realistically my aim is 2250+. Want to improve by at least 60 points, otherwise it won’t make too much difference.</p>