Hello! I was wondering if some people would be willing to chance me. By the way, I apologize in advance for all the info, but I wanted to make sure I covered all my bases.
I’ve applied to Bowdoin, Dartmouth, Davidson, Emory, Grinnell, Harvard, Macalester, Middlebury, Northwestern, Pomona, Princeton, Reed, Sarah Lawrence, Skidmore, Swarthmore, UChicago, U Notre Dame(Early Decision 2!), Vanderbilt and Whitman.
I’m an Asian Male from Malaysia. I’m a Catholic (not sure if this would boost my chance in NotreDame, which I applied as an Early Decision 2 applicant. )
I studied in a school which does not provide AP or IB, just electives.
GPA: 4.0/4.0
Rank: Top 10%/11
**SAT: **1350/2000 (750 Math, 600 Critical Reading, 650 Writing with 10/12) First and only time.
ACT: No ACT where I live.
**AP’s: **School provides none
Extra-Curriculars/Honors/Awards:
Praise and Worship Leader (Vocal, Guitar, Bass and Piano) Help to train new musicians
Choir Member (Bass and Tenor)
Founder and Chief Editor of the School’s Editorial Club
Student Council President (Started the Club System in my school, and organized many camps and outings)
Debate Club’s Person in Charge
Corporal of The Boys’ Brigade
Worked as a Hostel Employee
Part-time Writer. (Writes for magazines, and is working on a novel)
Teacher’s Assistant, and teach students
Have a Patent under my name, and also started a business.
Work Experience:
Worked in a Hostel for 10 weeks, cashing in 50 hours a week.
-Worked as Housekeeper
-In-charged of Laundry
-Promoted to desk work
-Answered online inquiries, desk work, and management.
Teacher’s Recommendation: Both are amazing
Counsellor’s Recommendation: Above Average
CommonApp Essay: I think I overdid it! I talked about how I used to represent my school in debates, tennis, and Abacus, but soon lost it all when I moved to a school that did not provide any of this. Instead of being sad, I did my best and finally managed to start up new stuff in the school, such as the club system, getting friendly matches with other schools over, and many more!
Writing Supplement
Bowdoin Essay: I chose Common Good. I raised the problem of counterfeiting. I used statistics to back my stand point, emphasizing that it is a huge problem. I then mention that the business I founded, together with my patent, will hopefully put an end to this problem (I did not disclose my idea or method, though)
Dartmouth Essay : Chose this Prompt: We believe it is critical that your candidacy reflect the interests, experiences and pursuits that are most important to you. To this end, is there anything else you would like us to know?
Wrote about my adventure while studying for the SAT. I mentioned I got horrible results in my PSAT, and it made me give up on the SAT. I wanted to go for the IGCSE, but it was too expensive for my family. My family broke the news that if I don’t get a scholarship, I wouldn’t even be able to get into college. This motivated me to study hard. I showed that I gave up lots of stuff for it; no gaming, no fooling around, spending 10 hours a day to study, and finally getting 2000.
Davidson essays
Why Davidson?: Mentioned I enjoyed the community where the students help each other out. I mention on how much I love the strong bond it has with its townfolks, and how I loved the emphasis on the community overall
List of books: I gave a page long essay as a prologue, explaining my reasons for reading the books (and slipped the info in that I read for 1-2 hours a day before sleeping every night). I listed out 44 books (including fiction, philosophy, and nonfiction books) and 9 comics
Submitted a resume, emphasizing and detailing my work experience even more.
Emory University Essays:
Chose Susan Grant’s Prompt, about whether one should fear or act. I talked about my experience as Stuco Prez, trying to start the clubs system. The teachers and students were against it, since it means more funds lost, and more. Instead of fearing for the consequences, I pushed forward, and finally succeeded in it.
Why Oxford Supplement: Mentioned a lot about its environment, ranging from morning jogs across Nature Trial, reading at serenity circle, studying at Phi Gamma (I mentioned about how Nurse Nancy looks after students there.), my hopes of joining either Phi Gamma or Few society, my love for debating, have fun in student residential areas, and hopefully finding friends that might hopefully help me out in my business.
Harvard Essay: Chose to list my books. I gave a page long essay as a prologue, explaining my reasons for reading the books (and slipped the info in that I read for 1-2 hours a day before sleeping every night). I listed out 44 books (including fiction, philosophy, and nonfiction books) and 9 Japanese comics.
NorthWestern Statement: Why Northwestern?
I talked about how the school will help me realize my potential. I mentioned that with such brilliant students here, I’ll be able to find “the Wozniak to my Jobs” for my business. I also showed that I love Northwestern because of how a student there showed me how much Northwestern had helped him grow
Pomona Essay: I chose the topic about the Critical Inquiry course. I talked about “Understanding Infinity”, elaborating on the concepts I would touch, and how this subject will be able to widen the student’s thoughts and help them become better thinkers. I ended with the reason why this subject intrigues me.
Princeton’s Prompt: I talked about someone who has inspired me; my dad. I listed the reasons on how my dad has influenced me, from morality to the thirst for knowledge.
I talked about my working experience in the hostel.
For this holiday, I mentioned doing community service, and how I managed to finally secure an investor for my company!
Swarthmore Essay Prompt: I talked about how much I love the classes, and how I’d love the discussions in our close-knit groups. I talked how the no-GPA nor class ranking system will be great, since it’ll motivate the students to learn, and not to just aim for high scores. I ended with how I also liked its Quaker philosophy, mentioning that their outlook and philosophy is aligned with mine. I also said that their morals are reflected in the students.
Chicago Prompts:
I chose Where’s Waldo, and took a philosophical stand. I related to how searching for Waldo is a search for our identity. I showed how we’re similar to Waldo, mentioning that just like Waldo, we want others to spot us. I ended with the notion that what we should be asking is not “Where’s Waldo”, but “Why is Waldo here?”
For my “Why Chicago” essay, I talked mostly about its fun side, such as its casual Latke-Hamantash debate, Scavenger Hunt, and Human vs. Zombie apocalypse. I also added that though these are all fun, it teaches the students in ways that they enjoy.
U Notre Dame Prompt!
Why ND? I rambled mostly about religion. I showed that currently, I’m active at church, serving Mass as an Altar Server daily, waking up at 6am each day. I also sing in the choir. I rejoiced that UNotre Dame is active in its religious rites. I continued on, mentioning how I love the dorm life here, comparing it to “Harry Potter’s Sorting Hat”, that mixes us around with people from diverse cultures and interest, but know that we’ll fit in together well.
For my Questions, I chose “What’s your favorite Question and why”. I answered “Which comes first, the chicken or the egg”, followed by why. The other question I chose was about my recent FB post, which was a thank you note to all my students and fellow graduates. I mentioned how I don’t usually post on social medias, but I was so thankful and grateful to them that I want everyone to know!