I’m not gonna discuss about my scores in school, just assume they’re a good fit for Amherst college.
What I’m gonna talk about, are just some of my achievements which I consider important and just tell me if its going to set me apart -
[ i wanna join the Computer Science department ]
Here goes -
Class Rank - 4/156
I did some research on a product idea of mine (related to computer science) and based on the results of the survey, I submitted the idea in the Global Startup Championship (in 130+ countries) by AIESEC International and won the 3-6 month incubation along with access to Labs, Investors, Stipend, industry mentoring and a whole lot of other stuff to get my own startup. (it will start in October)
I was a leader (and the only member who is still in High School) in AIESEC in Surat Branch (its the world's largest youth organization) and led a team of several college students for stuff too long to discuss here
I've played Chinese Acapella Drums (lead drummer) in "International Children's festival of performing arts" .
Macmillan Exam (by UNSW Australia) (Science, English , Maths, Computer, etc)
2 time state topper and in top 15 in India several times.
National Cyber Olympiad - rank 2 in state (2 times)
Self-Organized an event in the City's biggest mall where we gave scholarships to 15 poor children to fund a year's education for them
7 years soccer team (1 senior year as captain)
The youngest qualified person to attend AIESEC International Congress (where people like CEO of Pepsi, CEO of PwC, and UN Secretary Envoy for Youth attend) to present a business plan in front of all the delegates.
dude, if you mean I shouldn’t go to college, then, well, my decision to go is final. So, just chance me and tell me if these are good achievements, and maybe chance me even for princeton and dartmouth.
You are mistaken to believe that it is any easier to gain admittance than Dartmouth. While the percent admitted is fractionally smaller a higher percent of students are admitted with a hook such as sports at Amherst and the class size is much smaller. Among top students a significant percent would choose Amherst over Dartmouth.
If you have scrolled through results, admissions is a crapshoot with some really crazy outcomes at times.
Having said that- sure, you look strong.
What I think (particularly for you) the key to admittance will be proving that you will be a contributing member and someone who strengthen the school. Will you join clubs or teams? how will you share your particular skill sets and enhance the community at large?
@SoapyMango , in the words of my Principal - ‘‘Akash (my name) is the most engaged and the best student of our school’’ .
And I forgot to mention , in the words of many brand owners in my region (including Times Of India editor in my city ) - ‘‘you’re one of the best infographics designers I’ve ever seen’’
I also regularly play drums in rock performances at my city’s biggest mall and in other competitions. I’ve lead a team to collect and donate 30,000+ Kilos of food to orphans on my school’s behalf.
So, I think your question is answered.
Also, should I consider Rice, Colby College and Colgate as three places one of which will surely give me admission @SoapyMango ??
@extremus just logged in and saw you question. If you like Colby and Colgate, sure apply to those as back ups. I will tell you however, my D got wait-listed at one of her back-ups. Her guidance counselor told her it was a sure-thing. I’m not certain whether they knew it was a back up and that was the reason, or she didn’t show enough interest. She barely ever logged on to their site and we didn’t make a campus visit or interview. Would you be happy if you ended up at either of those schools? Do they have strong departments for what interests you? Rice is not a back up for anyone and actually may having curriculum complementing your interests/skills. Have you considered Caltec, MIT, Carnegie Mellon? are you planning to play soccer?
if you are from India you literally have the smallest chances of admittance at Amherst College out of all applicant groups, and perhaps also at other similar schools. About 1% of Indian applicants are admitted to Amherst, so you probably need an incredible life story or something spectacular to make you stand out. No one can tell you your chances with this admittance rate. Just apply to at least ten schools and hope for the best.
@SoapyMango , I’m interested in getting a liberal arts education in computer science, and not a technical one that the likes of MIT, Caltech and Carnegie Mellon provide. And, I’m applying ED to Amherst college, and since almost no Indian is interested in liberal arts colleges (believe me, they all want engineering in technical and big name schools. here, no one is concerned for their fit, they all want the BIG names) , I’ll probably be the only Indian applying ED to Amherst (among maybe 2 or 3 others at max), which would probably increase my chances coz they would want to increase diversity by getting a confirmed Indian student.
And ya, I do have a very compelling story to tell.
So, just tell me, what are the personal qualities that liberal arts colleges look for? Coz as much as I know, I’m good with my ECs and academics.
Geez, I honestly don’t know. Are you a strong soccer player? have you reached out to the coach? I’m certain they want people who are interesting and community oriented because that’s the point; they are building a community, but besides that I don’t know. The students I have met are incredibly diverse and talented in many ways. They have all been kind and my daughter says they are very collaborative.
@SoapyMango I am a strong soccer player, but I don’t wish to spend my time in college playing soccer as a regular athlete. I instead wish to spend my time playing drums in band performances and do design related work (like making posters and banners and stuff) and this is the kind of stuff I can not live without doing, so I’m surely gonna do that…
@extremus Then I think you should stress that in your application. Amherst has a strong and diverse music program .
However, you may find pick-up soccer or club soccer quite fun, a nice way to meet others, and a good way to keep fit so I wouldn’t completely write it off. Best of luck.
@extremus – following up on the comments of @student970 and @CHD2013, I’d be surprised if you get admitted, regardless of how “compelling” you think your story is.
You’ll have to come back on this thread and provide follow up in December.
OP, you seem arrogant and secretive. You won’t list everything on your “Chance Me” post. Without seeing all points, no one can even remotely predict. Even with all parts, it’s very difficult. But someone says “It will be difficult without a hook” then you respond by saying “blah magazine editor says I’m the best…my principal says…” I don’t get it.
Most people on CC are genuinely trying to help others. Remember that.
@golfcashoahu , I’m really sorry if you felt that I was being arrogant, I didn’t mean to and also wasn’t trying to be.
And for the “secretive” stuff, I haven’t listed my test scores, rank and GPA coz I know that they’re well in the range of Amherst college’s accepted class and also coz CC users (no offence to you) generally tend to focus too much on test scores and grades and I didn’t post them for the fear of being discouraged. And I posted the “magazine editor” thing coz @SoapyMango asked if I’d be involved in college, so I told him what I do in my city.
I can assure you I’m very humble in person.
And ya, one piece of healthy advice for all reading this, if you find a local committee of AIESEC in your town, surely join it. People from both colleges and schools can join it. It has taught me more in a year than my school has in 12 years, and its a very good place to be at (people literally cry for weeks when they after leaving AIESEC, it’s that good!! ). It can make almost anyone a great entrepreneur in a year even they are a science or art centric student (Some MBA colleges even offer specific scholarships for AIESECers).
Its present in 130+ countries and is the largest youth organization that also represents the world’s youth at the UN.
So, I’d be surprised if you don’t find it near you. Just taste the experience, you’ll love it.