<p>Hello. </p>
<p>I do, sadly, understand there is quite a lot of ‘repel‘ to internationals around here, but let’s try to ignore that and give us a rational opinion. </p>
<p>If you could theoretically chance this kid - let’s say my ‘S’, but not really, I am his mentor (free, father’s friend) - at Yale, Harvard and MIT, what outcome would you predict? Yes, we are aware than any school with <20% acceptance is a reach for everyone, but we would like to know whether or not it could theoretically work. We are also aware that the grades are less important than the other parts of the application. And furthermore, yes, we are applying to few safeties. </p>
<p>SAT: 2250 -ish
ACT: 35 – 36 (would prefer to send obviously. Although isn’t SAT viewed upon a tiny little bit better?)
SAT II: 800 both Math 2 and Physics, maybe 700-ish in Chemistry/Biology
GPA: 4.0 after converting to the US grades
APs: None, as they are not available.
Rank: 1 out of ~600. Large public school.
Awards: Small school awards for grades ~6; winner of the Regional English Olympiad (nothing serious)</p>
<p>Ethnicity: White
Income bracket: ~70k, little support needed.
State: International – Europe</p>
<p>ECs: </p>
<p>1) Started a ‘start-up’ company that sells premium sandwiches. Currently 2 open stores; fully functional website, etc. It, reportedly, started as a fun experiment doing a new website (S is programming guy). It’s pretty serious – 8/10 –
apparently </p>
<p>2) Started one nonprofit and a ‘civic association’; both political & education related and quite well known (although it’s not going to be another Microsoft). Made a website for both and few legal arrangements. S met a guy from the ‘big education‘ with whom he is working now – will write an optional recommendation. </p>
<p>3) On a gap year, working as a C++ programmer in a ~1000 employee large company. Had previous experience as PHP programmer in another one.</p>
<p>4) Part of a student organization providing real-world career & education advices, apparently also pretty serious, like 10/10. Met a guy there a year ago – Wharton grad – who helped S a lot, will write an optional recommendation. </p>
<p>5) Travelled a lot during summer and will. Been to Tokyo and China – own funding, with a friend. </p>
<p>6) Volunteered in a summer camp for 2 months (3 times); tutored Physics. </p>
<p>Hooks: None – maybe a poor-ish background and some family issues in the past.
Essays: S can write well, first drafts look quite promising.
Recommendations: English teacher will be astonishing, Physics 9/10 (or Chemistry teacher, if asked – 8/10). Two others from the Wharton grad mentioned above and the guy from education (not sure if we will send both). School counselor rec is amazing as well; she also prepared & translated all of our transcripts and stuff).
Intended major: Physics; maybe CS and/or Math. There is a slight chance of doing a pre-med, but we are aware that it’s tough to get an admission to a medical school in the US for a foreigner.
Subjective: Did a lot of self-studying through MIT OC and Coursera in Physics and Math. Also, I’d say he is a pretty resilient, systematic and ambitious kid. But then again, it’s subjective. Their family background was not the brightest, nor the darkest.
Sports: Soccer for 4 years, for what it's worth. </p>
<p>Thank you all for your opinions. </p>