I’m a international applicant.
Unweighted G.P.A: 9.3/10
Class rank: 1/300
SAT Super Score: Reading 740, Math 770, Writing 680 -> 2190
SAT Subject Test: Math 2: 800, Chemistry: 790, Biology: 800
TOEFL: 102
Major Awards: 2 Silver Medals at International Biology Olympiad
Best student in 2 years
Extracurricular Activities:
1/ Vice president at “Save Water” Project in last 2 summers
2/ Assistant Scoutmaster at the Scout in 3 years
3/ Member of School Quiz Team, win 4th place at National Online Quiz
4/ Participant of “Meals for the Less fortune”, offer 400 meals per week
5/ Vice monitor at class for 3 years
6/ Teaching biology at my school for a year
7/ Playing guitar
Essay: I think it’s quite good, but not very exciting and polished. I think it’s 7/10
Recommendation Letters: They both love me. I think the recs are very good: 9->10/10
I got a recs from my school headmaster, too. I think it’s also good.
So what do you guys think about my chance to those schools? Give me some opinions, pls
I’m quite confused right now.
Thank you
Sadly those top schools do not superscore the SAT, so your score will come down a little. With that being said, all of these schools will be reaches of some sort. Duke, Hopkins, and Brown are heavy reaches in my opinion, and Dartmouth/Cornell are mid reaches. You have a good application, but it lacks that shining attribute that separates it from the other elite international students. Hope I could be of help.
Your subject tests are outstanding, and I think if you really stressed the International Biology Olympiad then you should be able to get into at least Cornell, and probably Hopkins.
@tigerrocks13 Thank you very much. But where do you get that information about superscore? The College Board and the official websites all say that those colleges consider the highest sections, which means super score.
And in the whole world, there’re only about 20 IBO gold medals and 40 IBO silver medals each year. And less than half of them apply to U.S colleges. So I think it will be special?
@Nat1201 Thank you. But I wonder I should stress the IBO medals or the passion for biology? Which do you think will be better?
You’re correct, pardon me. I was thinking of ACT superscore. Most, if not all, of those colleges do in fact superscore the SAT. As far as that award is concerned, that is a big plus for sure. The reason why I think they’re all still reaches has to do with the fact that you only think the essay is a 7/10. Essays are huge for international applicants.
@tigerrocks13 Yes, I’m really worried about my essays. I’m not a good writer at all. My story is interesting, but my writing style is boring :))
Do colleges really emphasize the essay more for international applicants? May I ask why?
And do you know the importance of supplemental essays? Because my Cornell supp is good, maybe a 9/10. Can it save my Common App essay?
Everything that isn’t exclusive to your current school is emphasized really for international applicants. The GPA doesn’t necessarily matter as much because it’s harder to know how your grades stack up against others. Test scores are emphasized, extracurriculars (that are outside of school activities) are emphasized, and essays/recommendations are emphasized. International applicants have to crush each category… and yes, the supplemental essay can definitely help.
You should get into (at least) Cornell as your stats are strong for that school (Luckily for you Cornell only looks at the CR and MATH components of SAT). Your awards are great as well!
I think if you talk about how your strong passion for biology led you to those accomplishments it would help! Addressing both topics and making the connection between the two is crucial. Essays are extremely important for everyone, because it allows the admissions officers to get to know you, instead of only looking at the numbers.
I don’t think people realize how impressive IBO is. Every single person I’ve met who’s even qualified for the USA summer camp to determine the team has gotten into their #1 school and more. I believe they were easy admits to MIT and Caltech. A silver medal is pretty phenomenal.
Agreed with @paulryu - IBO is a very big thing, and medaling is even more unbelievable. Make sure you emphasize this accomplishment and I think you will get in every one of these colleges, given you write strong essays. Good luck!
^ What is pokemanaddict saying. Your silver medals at IBO will make you stand out. Match/low reach for most of these schools.
A silver medal at IBO is PHENOMENAL. Yeah his/her SAT scores are a little low(but still doable- many people get in with much lower scores), but not one but TWO SILVER MEDALS at IBO are more than enough to make up for the deficiency.
I’d say you’re in at all of the schools as long as your recs and letters are ok.
Thanks a lot for chance me!
Yes, if U.S students get a IBO medal, I think most of them will be accepted to colleges. Because there are only 4 students in the U.S IBO team each year. I’ve met them, and they’re actually excellent. Besides, most of them won gold medals.
However, with international applicants, the Olympiad medals don’t have as much value as with the U.S students in college application. Because while U.S only has 4 IBO students, the international application pool may have about 40.
In fact, last year, my friend, who won a gold IMO medal, was rejected to every U.S college he applied to. He got a 2150 SAT (M: 800, CR: 610, W: 740). Thus, I think college application is actually a big lottery.
However, I still keep my faith, try my best and bet on it. Hope I will be lucky this March.
Thank you again for your help. I really appreciate this.