Chance me for CAS? :D

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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<p>Hi there!
I'm a Canadian student studying under the French system and though I have applied to 4 Canadian schools, I have also applied to 5 US schools.
I am totally unsure of my chances so it would be great if you would give me some insight.
I know that admissions are a crapshoot and that we as students are completely unaware of what happens during the admissions process. But even if you cannot truly give me an estimation of my chances, I suppose that it would still be good to have this thread posted for future applicants to see.</p>

<p>Averages (translated grades from french system to american grades based on a chart given to me by my guidance counsellor): A (9th, 10th and 11th), A- (12th, first term)</p>

<p>SAT 1: 2100 (ugh frustrating) 740 M, 680 CR, 680 W</p>

<p>SAT 2: 800/680/660 (mmhmhm standardized testing -_-)</p>

<p>Senior Year Course Load (Scientific Studies):
-Math
-Physics and Chemistry
-Earth and Life Sciences
-Spanish (Advanced)
-Mandarin
-Philosophy
-Phys-Chem Specialty (you pick one of the sciences as a special, more in-depth concentration)
-English (OIB Program - More rigorous literature-based program, for English speakers)
-History (OIB)
-Geography (OIB)
-Gym (mandatory, but I love it :P)</p>

<p>AP: English Literature and Composition (4) - The only exam that my school coordinates. No courses are offered. I took it without one.</p>

<p>Essays: I was very attached to them. I am confident in my writing abilities and I spent a lot of time to get them right :)</p>

<p>ECs: No clubs or teams at school so I've pursued everything on my own
-Photography (won a couple of contests, was published in one university's art journal)
-Painting/Drawing
-Singing/Guitar (have been in a music festival in Toronto and have performed at every one my school's events since grade 8)
-Skiing
-Longboarding
-Badminton
-Part-Time Job (helping my mom because we are a single-income family)
-Volunteering (Habitat for Humanity)
-Class President (only thing at school that I can do, and I am passionate about communicating the students' issues to the administration)</p>

<p>Awards:
-Fermat Math Competition (University of Waterloo) School Champion (11th)
-Hanban Confucius Institute Headquarters awarded me a scholarship to Beijing based on my HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi - Chinese level examination) scores.</p>

<p>No hooks, I'm Middle-Eastern (Lebanese) but born in Canada</p>

<p>Thanks everyone and good luck with admissions!!! :D</p>

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<p>Yikes. 600 views and no response. Are my chances that bad?</p>

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<p>Too many 600s (on the SAT CR, W & SAT II 680, 660). I saw several very strong Canadian candidates (SAT above 2300+ and nearly perfect SAT II scores) getting rejected last year at the ivies, to be more positive. I am not sure how far the perfect Math scores will carry you. Did you apply to CMU and other math type schools? good luck.</p>

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<p>You seem interesting from looking at your ECs. Habitat for Humanity seems a little mundane, hopefully it’s not what your essay is about.</p>

<p>Your SAT is in the range. I don’t know if being high or low in the range matters much. </p>

<p>Interesting is good though. Your chance is reasonable but acceptance is low overall so I’d say your odds are about as good as they can be.</p>

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<p>^
Thank you! I know, not very good on that front :stuck_out_tongue:
Here’s hoping the 4 languages/crazy courseload can make up for them :slight_smile:
I did not apply to CMU because my parents told me that I could only go to the US if I got into the schools of my choice that ranked higher than UofT (otherwise they wouldn’t pay the tuition).
Unfair, I know, but I took my chances and we’ll see if the odds are in my favor :)</p>

<p>As for the other Canadians, were they Wharton applicants? Because I know that lots of Canadians apply.</p>

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<p>@madaboutx</p>

<p>Haha no, Habitat for humanity was just the easiest in terms of scheduling (looser time restrictions at ReStore, which are helpful because I finish at 6 every day) out of the places that I wanted to volunteer at (really wanted to do Sick Kids Hospital volunteer program :()</p>

<p>It played a very minimal part in my application. My essay was actually about the Lebanese war in 2006 and how my sense of belonging to the country and my cultural identity changed while I observed the phenomenon from afar in Toronto. It was very personal so I hope that my personality shone through</p>