Chance for International applicant

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>Hey guys, Im an international student of Indian origin from Dubai and want to apply in Fall 2010. Basically, I've done GCE O levels [considered the highest level for British Ordinary Level Syllabus] and GCE AS Levels in Maths, Biology, Physics and Chemistry and plan on doing A2 Course in these four subjects this year.</p>

<p>My syllabus does not offer GPA but these are my school and exam grades so far:
Subject: 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade {+Board} 12th Grade{}</p>

<p>English B[72] B[66] A,A[76],{82} x
Maths A[86] A[86] A,A[91],{95}, {99 in C1}
Physics A[90] A[83] A,A[92],{85}, (NA)
Chemistry A[78] A[83] A,A[85],{90}, (NA)
Biology A[83] A[82] A,A[82],{82}, (NA)
Human Biology A[88] A[84] A,A[88],{81}, x
Hindi A[77] A[73] A,B[76],{76}, x
Arabic A[87] A[82] A,A[90],{87}, x</p>

<p>NA- not available atm since results come out in august, but I believe Ive done on par with my O level Board results.
x - because I did not take these in AS levels.</p>

<p>And oh, all the marks are out of 100</p>

<p>Here are my SAT I Scores:
Sitting 1 Sitting 2
CR 590 670
M 680 640
W 650 720
Total 1920 2030</p>

<p>I plan on taking the SAT Subject tests this October in Maths IIC, Physics and Biology M.</p>

<p>I also have received certificates for/achieved merit in:
- Academic Excellence in Grades 9-11 for coming in the top two ranks in the grade.
- Certificate of Appreciation for Oral presentation on World Events.
-Merit Certificate for participation in Inter School Quiz, Gulf Asian Inter-School Quiz competitions and also for conducting an Inter-House Quiz competition in my school.
- Certificate of Appreciation for Community Service conducted at Labour Camps in Dubai from Grade 9-11.
- Certificate for Best Actor in School Skit competition and also for Writer of the Best Skit.
- Participation Certification for Awareness Walk at Spring Fiesta event.
- Distinction in Mathematics exam conducted by University of New South Wales in 2001.
- Certification of Merit for Participation in Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington, New York.
- Winner of Inter-House Soccer Tournament in Grade 12.
- 3rd Position in 400m-relay in Inter-House School Athletics Meet in Grade 12.
- 3rd Position in 100m-relay in Inter-House School Athletics Meet in Grade 12.</p>

<p>Well, sorry if it is a bit too long, not really sure about what all to include and not to include since I come under the International applicants category. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>bump bump bump</p>

3

<p>Well i cant see your O level results. Your sat super scored is 2070. you haven’t stated which school you want to get into and your sat 2 scores are also not available, so its a little difficult to chance you. However, I do think that your chances are not that great at Penn because your credentials are slightly below the average applicant at Penn. Best of luck. I think you still have time to improve your application.</p>

4

<p>Distinction in Mathematics exam conducted by University of New South Wales in 2001. <— This is what, 8 yrs ago? Barely relevant.</p>

<p>Your ECs are more or less school clubs/events. Little community service. That might be a problem. I am no expert on grades/GPA but yours do not look overly optimistic to me. Now I realize that school marks in North America are suger inflated in general, whereas in parts of Asia what you get is what you score on a test – no bonus marks, pity marks, half marks, you name it. So, without some sort of a standarized test score, I am not certain as to how you wish us to even begin judging.</p>

<p>Edit: Fixed grammar (damn grammar): Changed “I am no expert at grades/GPA…” to “I am no expert on grades/GPA…” (second paragraph).</p>

5

<p>At moizuhk : Well, my O level results are in the curly “{}” brackets. I know, got very little to show for as of now but I’m hoping for some good results in the SAT II’s.</p>

<p>At DSI: Well as I said, I was not completely sure of what to consider useful and what not to consider useful. But yea, I inserted the ‘Distinction’ knowing that it would not matter that much anyways. </p>

<p>My main intention was to determine where I stand with my EC’s and SAT I scores along with my school transcript. Apparently, I do not stand much of a chance with these alone. That gives me this coming year to add a few more things here and there, improve certain areas where I lack, to be precise. </p>

<p>I am planning on taking Biomedical Engineering as a major. Thanks a lot though both of you for your views, I highly appreciate it. =)</p>