<p>Im an international applicant from Hong Kong, China.</p>
<p>SAT I - 1980 (CR640, M750, W590, essay 7), but I am retaking, and hope to get 2150 (CR700, M800, W650, essay 8)
SAT II - Not yet out, but most likely getting (Math2 800, Phy 800, Chem 790)
TOEFL - 112</p>
<p>Academics:
I don't know my GPA, but I got second place in the last examination in a top local school.</p>
<p>Awards:</p>
<p>-9th
Silver award in regional Math Olympiad</p>
<p>-10th
Form 4 Champion of regional / city Physics Olympiad, silver prize among all grades
Silver award in regional Math Olympiad
Silver award in junior national Math Olympiad</p>
<p>-11th
Overall Champion of regional / city Physics Olympiad
Silver award in Asia Pacific Math Olympiad
Silver Medal in International Math Olympiad</p>
<p>-12th
Almost certainly going to the International Math Olympiad + International Physics Olympiad</p>
<p>EC:
School Math Team Captain
School Olympiad in Informatics Team Captain
Careers Prefects
Computer Society Vice-Chairman
Joint-school Math Society President
Game design</p>
<p>Applying to (and financial aid):
MIT
Harvard
Princeton
Caltech
Chinese U of Hong Kong (As safety, and it is very safe.)</p>
<p>Your SAT scores are way too low, even with 2150.
You’re asian=bad
And I could be wrong about this, but IMO and IPO dates intersect. Therefore you could only go to one (as a traveling member).</p>
<p>All are reaches really, MIT/Caltech are your best chances if you get the scores you hope on SAT2</p>
<p>This is probably harsh but even with a 2150, your chance is low for any of them. Granted your medal for IMO is a big plus, your CR score of 700 hurts, which undermines the usefulness of the other sections on your profile. The schools you are intending to apply want to see well-rounded applicants. Btw, the training schedules for the 2 I_O teams may clash so the authority may disallow dual participation.</p>
<p>I’m sorry but you guys seem to frustrate kenhungkk. Poor kenhungkk
I’m not sure about your chance for Caltech, Havard and Princeton (maybe just like what DMOC said, especially to Havard, no chance at all with that low SAT score; even a 2100+ cannot be safe), but to MIT, that’s enough. I mean, it’s enough for numbers, but there are still important things to do.</p>
<p>OP, your biggest hook is your IMO. But…you know…it’s much easier to make IMO from Hong Kong than from like US or other big countries, colleges know that.</p>
<p>@ 12npm12: I suppose quite the same: one thing good about being international for MIT - I am handing in my TOEFL score in replacement of SAT score. So I suppose 112 is a more than enough score. Also, thanks for your reply. Those comments before kinda made me upset, and I was waken up by nightmares two consecutive nights before :(</p>
<p>@ MITIM: Ya… I think the same, yet one thing that was quite difficult for me is that I tried to get 8A’s in the O-Level exam and enter the IMO team at the same year (which I discussed in detail for one of the MIT essays).</p>
<p>Anyway, I guess I really have to work even harder for the SAT score. I got 2160 when I was doing a mock test the day before my Oct test date, but the next day, I got only a 1980.</p>
<p>Well maybe things are like MITIM said, it’s easier to get a chance to attend IMO in other countries. However your medal does say something: even if the fact that you’re in the top in the IMO doesn’t show that you’re in the top of the world, no one can refuse your great ability and potential.
From my perspective, one doesn’t have to be the top to get in those prestigious universities. It’s just about potential: whether he can survive and succeed in that severe environment. So I don’t think you have to waste an essay as an “excuse” for that. Instead, showing another “you” will be great (persistence, as I recall what you said).
Anyway, I think you should aim higher in SAT: 2200+ to make a good shot to Caltech, Princeton, Havard (assume that you get an 800 in math, CR’s and W’s should be 700+ -> 2200 totally).</p>
<p>I’m from Hong Kong as well, and I know someone with the exact same SAT IIs and TOEFL and a much higher SAT I (2200+) who got rejected by all the colleges you just listed, except CUHK. I also got three perfect SAT IIs and a 2260 SAT I, and I’m not applying to any of the schools you listed based on my research and plenty of advice from people who know the system well.</p>
<p>And you’re applying for financial aid, so that will significantly lower your chances as an international in Caltech (the other three U.S. universities you listed are completely need-blind - these universities are rare, though). </p>
<p>I suggest you find a few safeties if you seriously want to study in the U.S. Even with a 2150 in SAT I, your chances at being admitted to any of the colleges is pretty low. Keep in mind that colleges like Harvard rejects dozens of applicants with 2400s in SAT I. </p>
<p>I presume your major would be in the natural sciences or engineering. Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, John Hopkins, Rice University and Carleton College are some of the institutions you can consider. They’re less prestigious and less selective than HYP, but the quality of their education, especially in some specific subject areas, can be just as good.</p>
