CHance me please!!! THANK YOU

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I'm a foreign student from Singapore of mixed heritage( Indian+Chinese) and i've applied to some high tier schools this year (Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Wharton) but did not get in. However i have to serve in the army for 2 years so i'll be re-applying. I'm planning widening the applications and am thinking of applying to Yale, Columbia, Wharton, Stanford, NYU(stern), Berkeley and UMich(direct to undergrad business) and would like to know my chances. I took the GCE "A" Levels and some of my ECs will be a bit foreign but i'll try to explain them thoroughly. Thank you all in advance.</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>SAT 1: 2270 (reading:800, math:740, writing:730)
SAT 2: Math L2:800, Chemistry:800, Physics:800
GCE "A" Level results:
A in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math
Distincitions at Special Level for Chemistry and Physics
B in General Paper (for local applications)
(pretty much quite close to a perfect score which allows me to obtain enough credits to skip a year)</p>

<p>My school doesn't rank nor calculate GPA but i have gotten As for my 4 main subjects for every internal examination which is something done by less than 10 students in a school of 1300 students. Everyone's grades increases at the GCE "A" Levels and based on my results i would be in the top 100 of the school with a somewhat tie between number 24-100</p>

<p>Academic Awards:
SINDA (Singapore Indian Development Association) Academic Excellence Award 2007
SIET (Singapore Indian Education Trust) Achievement Award 2006
RJC College Day Junior College Year I Promotional Examinations Award 2006
SINDA (Singapore Indian Development Association) Academic Excellence Award 2005
Anglo-Chinese School Independent Scholastic Award for 2004 GCE ?O? Level Examinations (8A1s)</p>

<p>EC:</p>

<p>Venture Scouts ( 2005-2006)
-Chairman of committee
-President's Scout Award ( Equivalent to Eagle Scout Award, about 5 of us a year)
-Led troop to first ever best troop award
-Represented Singapore for bid in 2011 World Scout Jamboree</p>

<p>Scouts (2001-2004)
- Troop Leader ( head of 200-strong troop)
- Chief Commissioner's Award
- Outstanding Scout Award (Champion) best scout in singapore
- Certificate of distinction for services to scouts in school
- Represented Singapore in 20th World Scout Jamboree</p>

<p>House Committee(2005-2006) school is split into 5 houses and each has a committee
- Chairman of Interhouse Games Committee
- Planned year long competition among houses including over 20 activities (sports, fine arts, intellectual games) + opening and closing ceremonies
- Preliminary planning for interhouse games for my juniors
- Planned house party for entire house
- House Quartermaster (in-charge of house stores)</p>

<p>Field Hockey (2001-2006) (yes it is a men's sport in the commonwealth)
-1st Position in Interschool Competition 2005
-1st Position in Interschool Competition 2006</p>

<p>Floorball(2005) its like indoor field hockey played on a hard court
- 2nd Position in National Championships</p>

<p>Community Service:
Involved in tutoring at Henderson Children?s Society 2005-2006 (2 hours a week, 61 hours in total)
Rotary Overseas Community Involvement Programme in
Khao Lak, Thailand (rebuilding after the tsunami) (5 day trip)
121 hours of service to school as part of house committee</p>

<p>Job Experience (while waiting to enter the army)</p>

<p>Administration Job at Ministry of Education(MOE) for the month of March
Involving contacting and preparing teachers nationwide for a seminar, assisting in formation of draft work material for teachers nationwide, assisting in report to Permanent Secretary of MOE, background work for awards ceremony involving all schools in Singapore and general paperwork</p>

<p>Relief Teaching at Alma Mata (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)) for 5 weeks
Involving teaching of Physics and Biology to Grade 10 students, Literature to Grade 7 students, IB Language Arts to Grade 8 students and IB Theory of Knowledge to Grade 11 students</p>

<p>Thats pretty much what there is to my school life. I really do appreciate any help all of you all can give. Thank you once again.</p>

2

<p>You only applied to HYSW this year? I hope you realise that this was a bad decision. NYU and UMich might be a little easier, but if you really want to study in the US, I'd advice you to think about a few safty schools. Is there any chance you can get into NUS?
Alright here's the actual advice: Just like most of the int. applicants, you're fine academically. However, lots of applicants from your country will be just as good or even better. I wouldn't worry about stats, though, because your stats won't be a reason to reject you. Because I know a few applicants from your country though, I don't think that your profile actually sticks out tbh. There are several things you could do to make yourself stand out. Participate in the Math Olympiad. Every country has this and if you make it into the IMO team, you'd definitely stand out. Also, some unique hobbies would look good as well. I don't know how much time you'll have while being in the army, but I guess you just need something like a hook. They probably didn't take you this year because you app didn't really stick out. Work on this and you should get into a few top schools.</p>

3

<p>hey ,thanks for the reply. i think i shall go find something interesting and unique to write about. actually, i only applied to HYSW cos of my army which gives me the time to have multiple applications. what do you think i should focus on for the essays? are the certain topics that are favoured?</p>

4

<p>No. The topic is not that important. I would suggest that you write about a specific experience from your past. Don't try to incorporate too many aspects. Use the slice-of-live-technique if you feel confident with it. I wrote about a very dull topic, but I reflected on the content in a way that made it more profound. You can pretty much write about anything you want, as long as you let yourself shine through.</p>

5

<p>yea u got a decent chance. its a crapshoot. please remember that.</p>