Chance Me - International Student

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Asian (Indian)
Type: International Student</p>

<p>Predicted grades for IB:</p>

<p>HL Economics 7
HL Business Management 7
HL Math 6</p>

<p>SL English 5
SL French Ab. Initio 7
SL Chemistry 7
Bonus Points: 2/3
IB Total: 41/45</p>

<p>Not sure how the IB grades translate into GPA. School doesn't rank us, but I know I am in the top 5%.
Taking the highest course load possible.
Standardized Testing:</p>

<p>SAT I - Math 720, CR 670, Writing 620. Total: 2010 (1390)</p>

<p>I know it's disgusting, wayyy below anything Ivy Leagues look at. Might retake it in November or worst case, December.</p>

<p>SAT IIs taking Chemistry & Math II in October, aiming 800 at Math II and 700+ Chemistry.</p>

<p>Academic Awards:</p>

<p>-UK Senior Math Challenge Silver Medallist: Top 10% of the world.
-Kumon Math Program - Gold Medallist 4 years consecutive and member of the Advanced Student Honor Roll.
-Winner of the Principal's Award at school for achieveing Academic merits in 7 out of 8 subjects.
-Academic Excellence Award winner - 9th and 10th grade.</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars:</p>

<p>-Model United Nations - 4 years.
Positions held: Assistant President - Special Conference Sub Committee 2, Chair - Security Council, Chair - General Assembly 1, Deputy Chair - General Assembly 6. Organized a conference with a team of 3 others for middle school kids: Coordinated it ourselves.
Awards won: "Best Delegate Award" won 3 times in 5 conferences.</p>

<p>-Debating Team - 4 years.
Captain for the past year, won "best speaker" award 7 times during the year.</p>

<p>-Student Council - 1 year.
Position held: Chief Treasurer and Leader of Fundraising Committee. Organized school prom and winter dance; Completed the budgeting for the entire council as well as balancing the accounts.</p>

<p>-Cricket - 8 years.
Vice-Captain of team for the past 4 years. Recently won "Most Improved Player" and nominated "best bowler" for the calender year having taken most wickets for the team.
Used to be a member of the country's national cricket team before starting IB (way too hectic).</p>

<p>-Mathematics Peer Tutor - 2 years.
Position Held: Senior Tutor; Helped other high school kids with math problems during lunchtime and after school on a voluntary basis</p>

<p>-UN Day: Indian Folk Dance Performer.
Never learnt dancing in my life, Spent the past 4 months training every weekend to perfect the steps.</p>

<p>-Weight Training Club - 1 year.
Woke up every morning at 6 and went to school at 6.30 to train, weight lifting - rigorous exercise.</p>

<p>-Frisbee Club - 1 year.
This was more of a fun thing, rather than being professional. Learnt a few new frisbee tricks and the art of playing ultimate frisbee.</p>

<p>Community Service:</p>

<p>-Institute of Mental Health - 2 years.
Position Held: Volunteer Leader; Coordinated activities and organized groups to volunteer at the institute of mental health; Organized fun badminton games with the patients and befriended them over the 2 years.</p>

<p>-Home for the Autistic back in India - Spent the summer volunteering there.
Taught autistic kids basic english letters and words, painted with them etc.</p>

<p>-PE Service Group - 1 year.</p>

<p>Work Experience/Internships:</p>

<p>-Interned 2 weeks at a consultancy firm in India which involved maintaining and auditing financial records of client firms.</p>

<p>-Worked on a part time basis (Every Saturday) for 2 months at an accounting firm.
Position held: Research Assistant. Tasks again involved balancing accounts and maintaining paperwork.</p>

<p>-Will be interning this December at a micro finance bank in India to learn more about development economics and self-financing. As a part of the internship, I will be visiting many villages with an experienced economist to monitor the income situation of the poor and the status of poverty-alleviating mechanisms in these rural areas.</p>

<p>I know most other NU applicants will have just as strong if not stronger applications. I also know my SAT score is a huge hole in my application. But with my IB grades, ECs and the work experience: would I stand a chance, is it worth considering applying to Northwestern? I am looking at only Regular Decision.</p>

<p>Intended Major: Economics.</p>

2

<p>Oh and Financial Aid is not required ^^</p>

3

<p>First of all, don’t be stupid - your SAT score is not “disgusting”. In fact, its pretty damn good especially considering that you’re international - you see, they award a certain leniency for SAT scores from internationals because they are aware that you are not trained in school to take such an exam.</p>

<p>Now, all the nonsense you wrote under your extracurriculars, you can’t write it like that on the common app, it should be more concise and better-worded. I advice you take that “UN DAY…” thing out. But otherwise your EC’s are strong.</p>

<p>About your work experience, as far as I know, you can’t write about internships you intend to have in the future because there is no guarantee that you will follow through. And, it only counts under the “work experience” category IF you get paid for it.</p>

<p>If you have solid recommendations and sound essays, I can’t think of a reason why NU would not accept you.</p>

<p>Good luck with everything!</p>

4

<p>they do not award a certain leniency to international students regarding SAT scores. Being international puts you in a more competetive group, if at all. so u need better SAT1 scores.
Dude, Audrey, who told u about this leniency thing?
Not requiring fin aid is a good plus, and believe me, im indian too and am going to the UMN this year, you will need to raise those sats by atleast a 100 points, 200 maybe to be really sure of getting in, though with a school like northwestern, nothing is sure.</p>

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<p>Oh come one. They are lenient towards international. My score was a 2050ish, but my CR and W scores were around the 25th percentile.</p>

<p>I’m not saying it’s bad to raise your scores, but don’t fret in case they’re still “disgusting”</p>

6

<p>Hey thanks for the replies. Firstly, I am a bit down about the SAT but not that ****ed about it. It’s just seeing the stats of kids in the Ivy League forums on CC that really puts me down. Apologies if the word “disgusting” may be too strong.</p>

<p>Secondly, the “UN thing” is something I put down only because my counselor suggested I add something I may have done in the arts since the large portion of my ECs are speaking/debating with of course the sport (i love sports). Does mentioning it seem like a waste of time? In which case, I do have some other minor things I have done over the years which I can mention. </p>

<p>The internship has already been confirmed in that I have a letter stating the dates I will be at the bank, so that makes it valid, doesn’t it?</p>

<p>Finally, I think if prep. properly, my score should go up. The 720 on Math is far lower than what I was getting in practice tests. The 670 on CR can be pushed up to around 700-730ish. In fact, it’s only the writing I need to seriously look into.</p>

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<p>There’s nothing wrong with having a lot of speaking/debating ECs and no arts. If anything, it may put you at an advantage since you are dedicated in one aspect. IMO, it’s better to focus on one area you’re passionate about than being the well-rounded student. I went for the well-rounded, and regretted it haha.</p>

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<p>I have a friend on Columbia’s admissions team. Internationals are awarded a leniency, not in quantifiable terms, but they are understanding toward international sat scores.</p>