Chance an International (or National?)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Let me tell you my situation: I was born and brought up in USA and studied there till 6th grade. For my 7th and 8th grade, I went to a boarding school in the southern part (Bangalore) of my native country India . From 9th grade to 12th grade (high school basically), I went to high school in my native city in western India. (would this academic history, by itself, in ANY way help me out? there is a good possibility that i might write my essay on this)</p>

<p>I did the IGCSE course (an international course similar to IB)in 9th and 10th grade achieving the following percentages in the subjects: </p>

<p>Maths - 98% ,
Physics - 97% ,
Chemistry 96 % ,
Biology 96 % ,
Computer Technology 94 % ,
English 85 % and
Economics 87 % .</p>

<p>ACT: 34
SAT Chem: 800
SAT Math: 800
SAT Bio: 770</p>

<p>Presently, I am a rising senior doing the IB Diploma Program. The predicted grades that would be sent to the college are :
Bio 7,
Chem 7,
Eng 7,
Eco 7,
Math 7 and<br>
Hindi 5.
That is supposed to be the most rigourous courseload available in my high school.</p>

<p>My extracurriculars include the following: </p>

<p>1.MUN x4 (vice chairman of commitee x1, chairman of commitee x2, secretary general (highest position) of whole meet x1)</p>

<p>2.School president (student council)</p>

<ol>
<li><p>State level Bball player - 11th</p></li>
<li><p>Varsity Basketball (captain from 9th to 12th) </p></li>
<li><p>Gold medal - 100m sprint, Gold medal -high jump - school events- 10th
Silver Medal – 100 m sprint – 11th</p></li>
<li><p>Manav Sadhna (NGO) -11th (community outreach program where I help underprivileged kids)</p></li>
<li><p>Bird welfare – -11t h (Uttrayan is a festival in India where we fly kites. The majority of the people do not know that are committing a heinous activity as they unintentionally cut the wings of birds and harm them. This bird welfare association helps the birds in need and helps spread awareness of the dangers posed to birds. I helped in the first aid department for Eagles)</p></li>
<li><p>Taught underprivileged students basic English and Math for a year (weekly once)</p></li>
<li><p>My English paper might get published in a journal. ( How much would this help? I personally think that I have put in A LOT of effort into it and that it is a substantial work of mine).</p></li>
<li><p>Black Belt 1st Degree. Was an instructor for a year at the ATA (American Taekwondo Association).</p></li>
<li><p>I have a hobby of showing magic tricks to people. I specialise in Close Up ( Parlour) magic. I have been doing this since I was young. Had a stage magic show when I was in 7th grade but stage magic did not appeal so I moved onto closeup magic with a special concentration on card magic. I find that I have overcome nervousness and have become more confident by doing magic.</p></li>
<li><p>I have volunteered extensively at the Blind People’s Association (BPA). I have been volunteering in the institution for 4 years now. I have my own article published in the BPA quarterly newsletter and plan to contribute more periodically. I had initially helped in writing records in the administration part of the institution. I have helped the blind people work with computers. I helped in soliciting of funds (fundraising) by writing letters that explain the salient features and roles the BPA plays in the betterment of the society to celebrities and dignitaries. I taught physiotherapy (thrice a week, one hour lectures) to blind students for a year. I am now currently helping manage the physiotherapy health department and do a few lectures every now and then. I have interviewed many blind people (informally) and plan to write a small report on it. I plan to do some public speaking activity (spread awareness?) over there too. I plan to write my essay on my experience in the Blind People’s Association and I think that this is a MAJOR component of my ECs.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Medically Oriented Activities: </p>

<p>(I have interest in Medicine and plan to apply to the highly competitive PLME program at Brown)</p>

<ol>
<li> Medical Counseling</li>
<li> Shadowing in summer after Junior Year in many doctors’ offices in America (radiologist, GI, nephrologist, infectious disease doctor and internal medicine doctor)<br></li>
<li> The bird welfare experience</li>
<li> Have finished a BLS (Basic Life Support) course and have been awarded a certificate by the American Heart Association</li>
<li> Have volunteered in a hospital.</li>
<li> Have seen a surgery.</li>
<li> Observer at a pharmaceutical company.</li>
<li> Have observed closely a few public health systems, including the one the BPA and at a Sickle Cell Anemia Center that promotes disease prevention, awareness and helps inflicted ones.</li>
<li> MIGHT conduct a (not-so-huge but still ) project at the BPA or do some rudimentary/basic research somewhere in a research lab. (or at the BPA physiotherapy center: maybe on blood pressure changes after exercise?) </li>
<li>I taught physiotherapy for a year at BPA.</li>
<li>Was a member at a blood donation camp.</li>
</ol>

<p>I shall be writing a general report on all the shadowing and observing activities.</p>

<p>I am also a US citizen with a Social Security Number. I am a legal resident of the state of Florida so I get a break at the public in-state universities.</p>

<p>I had a few questions (do keep in mind I am aiming at top tier schools, preferably top 15 , including the list above):</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Does my US citizenship help me or give an advantage in any manner? (I know that universities always claim that they treat everyone equally, but I think that they DO prefer national applicants over international ones with similar credentials. Right?) What is different for me in the admissions process from any other international applicant? Am i regarded as an international or national?</p></li>
<li><p>How much does ED help? I have learned it doesn’t help THAT much because the ED applicant pool mainly consists of celebrities’ kids, developmental students (who have given HUGE funding to the school), athletes, and moreover stronger applicants. Is that true? I have browsed through a lot of college admission books including 'Acing the Application' by Michelle Hernandez and she mentions that it does not help as much the usual applicant thinks it does. </p></li>
<li><p>How can I boost my application, specifically can you suggest any medically oriented ECs, that could help me to improve my chances to get in the PLME? (I know that passion is supposed to be a major factor in ANY EC, but i will show it)</p></li>
<li><p>Is the SAT preferred over the ACT (even though colleges claim that they aren’t biased) ? Is a 34 “good enough” (even though I know that there is no such thing and the colleges only publish 25th and 75th percentiles) ?</p></li>
<li><p>Do you think I have a good shot at the schools mentioned? And could you just generally comment on my credentials?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>(Sorry for the questions in the questions! )</p>

<p>Thank you so much for taking your time out! I really will appreciate it!</p>

<p>I plan to apply to
Brown ED (PLME) and if I dont get accepted, then to
Northwestern (HPME)
Albany Medical and Union College MD/MBA combined program.
John Hopkins,
Cornell,
Rice,
Duke,
Emory,
Vanderbilt,
UF,
UMiami and
FSU
(the latter three as my safeties, even though UMiami is a private school). </p>

<p>P.S. I hate ranting about independent counselors, but I just can’t avoid it. I have so many friends who go to these counselors that charge A LOT of money. I really hate this because I do my own hard work to find out the poop of the college admission process while these people get all the info in one shot. The counselors spoon feed these students. It’s so unfair. And some of them even have ‘essay polishing facilities’. Ridiculous, I tell you.</p>

2

<p>Bumpp. I really want to know. I forgot to add Duke btw.</p>

3

<p>

Contradiction. It sounds like you are a US citizen, so don’t refer to India as your native country.
US citizenship improves your chances dramatically.</p>

4

<p>sorry forgot to clarify properly! I am brown. I am originally from India. My parents and grandparents and greatgrandparents are Indian. My ‘everyone’ is Indian. BUT I hold a US Passport. I am a US citizen. BY LAW, I am an American. I have been studying in India since 7th grade. Chances? thank you so so much! :)</p>

5

<p>If you can, I would say heed greennblue’s advice of saying you’re a US citizen first and foremost. </p>

<p>This reply will probably come out as a stream of consciousness haha, it’s way too early for me.</p>

<p>EC #11 (if I can even call it that) is very unique and a GREAT topic for an admissions essay. Through your phrasing, you probably already knew that, but just throwing it out there.</p>

<p>I’m not too familiar with the international grading scale, so I can’t really comment on the percentages, but your IB scores + SATII scores + ACT are all very good. My only warning to you is that some people may look at your list of ECs and see it as a laundry list rather than the story of your life. At the top schools-- where the vast majority of applicants has great grades and scores-- ECs are the primary differentiating factor in tandem with the essay. With all that said, I would probably consider Brown ED a low-mid reach, just because the lack of hooks makes it difficult for nearly every applicant who applies to Ivies.</p>

6

<p>^ Thanks! Yes, I will mention that I am a US citizen! I did actually think that Magic was a unique aspect for me! Thanks for your input! </p>

<p>Can some other people also help me out? Ill chance back!</p>

7

<p>You have a pretty good profile. As they say that Univs find reason to reject you, and not to accept you… I find no reason that you should be denied admission.
ACT=SAT, colleges don’t prefer anyone over the other.
ED admission is definitely easier than the RD. [Ivy</a> League College Admissions Facts and Statistics](<a href=“http://www.admissionsconsultants.com/college/ivy_league_table.asp]Ivy”>http://www.admissionsconsultants.com/college/ivy_league_table.asp)</p>

<p>MUNs aren’t a strong EC… Unless it’s the Harvard MUN or the likes.
Best of luck!</p>

8

<p>^ actually, Harvard MUN isn’t stronger. Any school can participate if they want. </p>

<p>You have AMAZING stats. Just, AMAZING :slight_smile: You’ll definitely get into Brown, mostly by EDing. And yes, ED DOES help. A LOT, actually. The ED applicant pool is smaller (more competitive as well), but the acceptance rate is higher. By EDing, you’re showing the school that you are TRULY interested in it. And, no, the ED pool consists of anyone who is really interested in said school.</p>

<p>Your US citizenship will also help A LOT. You wouldn’t be considered international, which is good cause the international applicant pool is much more competitive, since there are less seats available at the school.</p>

<p>Your ECs are amazing, but your ACT (although it is an almost perfect score) could be a little higher - nevertheless, you’ll still definitely get into Brown ED.</p>

<p>Thanks. Now chance me back: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/954953-am-i-right-track-chance-me-ill-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/954953-am-i-right-track-chance-me-ill-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>Thank you! I know i could have improved my ACT score, but its ok i guess! Ill chance you guys back soon! PLME is still tough.</p>

10

<p>Brown ED (PLME) and if I dont get accepted, then to
Northwestern (HPME)
Albany Medical and Union College MD/MBA combined program.
John Hopkins,
Cornell,
Rice,
Duke,
Emory,
Vanderbilt,
UF,
UMiami and
FSU </p>

<p>the safeties are an easy in, you might have some trouble with cornell, rice, johns hopkins and brown but the rest look like they’d accept you.
I can’t say you’re an automatic- in for the rest cuz, let’s face it, admissions can be weird sometimes, but you have a really strong chance at all of them, especially w/ your experiences and scores. just the essay to worry about i’d say</p>

11

<p>^ Yeah, you could consider Emory, Vanderbilt, UF, UMiami, and FSU all safeties. :)</p>

12

<p>To tell you the truth, you’ve got as good a shot as any international, besides perhaps an IMO competitor. You’ve got an impressive array of extracurriculars, especially in the medical field. Your SAT is top-notch, as is your course rigor. Best of luck! (:</p>

13

<p>^ Could you be a bit more specific? Could you chance me? Thanks! :)</p>

14

<p>JHU, Rice, Emory, and Vandy are all matches for you. You’re in at the safeties, but I don’t think I could accurately chance you for the higher ranking colleges. Assuming you’re applying to CAS at Cornell, I’d call that a match as well. Good luck, fellow Indian!</p>

15

<p>^ Are you crazy? Being INDIAN will HELP me? I dont think so.</p>

16

<p>^ you damn ■■■■■. get off CC.</p>

<p>Can someone PLEASE help me with chancing me? I will chance back!</p>

17

<p>Your American citizenship will help but your Indian ethnicity certainly wont. Your test scores and predicted IB scores (barring Hindi but that’s slightly negligible) are well in range for the top schools. ED does help btw.
If you want my advice, don’t apply for PLME at Brown. Honestly, if you’re worried about your ethnicity holding you back, it’ll certainly hurt you most in this program since there will be a lot of South Asians vying for places in it (and they’ll most probably be applying to Brown solely for PLME). Have you thought about applying for Biology (or another natural science that might increase your admission odds, such as a Humanities major, maybe)…?
Either way, you have as good chances as any other applicant. Try to differentiate yourself and show your unique personality strengths in the required essays to boost your chances.
Good luck!</p>

18

<p>I think you’ve got a good shot at all colleges. But HPME and PLME will be a crap shoot as they’re SUPER competitive.</p>

19

<p>Brown ED (PLME) and if I dont get accepted, then to-Good Chances-Low Reach
Northwestern (HPME)-Low Reach (hard program to get into)
Albany Medical and Union College MD/MBA combined program-IN
John Hopkins-Match
Cornell-Match
Rice-Match
Duke-Match
Emory-Match
Vanderbilt-Match
UF-IN
UMiami-IN
FSU-IN</p>

<p>Outstanding Stats! Hope you get in!</p>

20

<p>Yeah, HPME and PLME are both very hard to get into. Kids actually do tons of research to get into them. </p>

<p>Albeit, i think the fact that i am doing ED will help me out. I dont think that many students from India actually do ED, because they find the financial commitments too pressing, and that makes sense.</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks everyone for your inputs! :)</p>

<p>More would be appreciated. I would also chance you back! :)</p>