<p>Applying to:
MIT
Caltech
Cornell
Stanford
UC - Berkeley
UCLA</p>
<p>All for engineering programs (probably computer engineering)</p>
<p>Second-generation Indian male living in Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)</p>
<p>GPA: I'm not really 100% sure of how GPA would work for me, since I know A or A+ = 4.0, but in my system, 80-85 = A-, something like 86 to either 90 or 95 is A, and either 90+ or 95+ is A+.</p>
<p>But I've got over 90% in (almost) all my classes, had an average of 98.125% last year (grade 11), I think my GPA is 3.9 though, because of a 61 in a mandatory Phys. Ed credit (should have been a 76, but my ex-friend copied my final exam...)</p>
<p>Rank: My school doesn't rank really, but I had the highest average last year
Don't know if it's competitive, but it's a fairly famous one (Westdale Secondary School, if anyone knows anything about it)</p>
<p>Courseload:
I guess I've taken one of the more rigorous courseloads, the only really easy courses I've taken are Computer Science and Computer Engineering, which are directly related to my prospective career path.
Grade 11 courses were English, Math (enriched), Computer science, Computer engineering, Math of Data Management (grade 12 course), Accounting, Chemistry, Physics
No APs unfortunately, my school doesn't offer them</p>
<p>SATS: 2160 (800M/690CR/670W, retaking this Saturday, hopefully 700+ on CR/W)
SATII: 800 Math II, 780 Physics</p>
<p>Volunteer work:
Helped middle school band in grade 9
Local Temple (Hindu) that was rebuilt after being burnt after September 11th attacks
Cultural Group (Konkani Association of Ontario)
Recently started at local Jewish old age home </p>
<p>ECs:
School Reach for the Top (trivia) grades 10,11,12, participated in Nationals in grade 10
Alto Saxophone in band grade 9, 10, 11, 12, saxophone ensemble grade 9, jazz band grade 12
Ontario Students Classics Conference in grades 9, 10</p>
<p>Awards:
Highest marks in grade 9 Math, Science, Intro to Info Tech in Business, grade 10 Math, Science, World Religions (grade 11 course), grade 11 Math, Computer Science, Computer Engineering (also in grade 11 Physics, but not credited with it)
Highest Overall Average in grade 11
Finalist in School Science fair in grade 10
Mohawk College Math Award in BASEF science fair in grade 8
Warriors General Band Award in grade 10
Recognized as a student leader and invited to participate in school leadership group</p>
<p>Several Math awards, including several school first placings (at least 9) in math contests, invitation to AIME for grades 9, 10, 11, AMC-10 distinction pin in grade 9, AMC winner pin in grade 10, Pascal contest school winner, somewhere around 20 certificates of distinction for various contests, frequently score in 98th percentile plus nationally.
Biggest math award is COMC Gold Medal, awarded to roughly 10 students in Ontario Central (won in grade 11).
My school is quite competitive in math contests, it's been recognized provincially at the Legislative Assemply of Ontario:
Legislative</a> Assembly of Ontario. Transcript of Debates. Issue number: L022 - Wed 23 Nov 2005 / Mer 23 nov 2005</p>
<p>Other Programs:
Shad Valley, if any of you have heard of it, it's a fairly prestigious and rigorous Science, Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Leadership camp for one month. Apparently, I've heard that MIT looks for it in Canadian applicants, so I guess it's recognized even in the states.</p>
<p>Work Experience:
1 month internship doing coding in Process Automation at local steel producer (Dofasco Inc.), got the job through Shad Valley</p>
<p>I think my strongest hook is my mathematics. I've gotten 99% in grade 9 enriched math, 100% in grade 10 enriched math, grade 11 enriched math, and grade 12 data management math, in addition to all the awards listed above.</p>
<p>My predictions:
MIT - Rejected
Caltech - Rejected
Cornell - Accepted
Stanford - hopefully Accepted, bit of a reach
UCBerkeley - no clue, I've heard UCs are insanely difficult for OOCs, but hopefully accepted
UCLA - see Berkeley</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>