Chances at Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Barnard, Wheaton

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi everybody,</p>

<p>I'm applying to Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Barnard, Wheaton, and the University of Chicago next fall, along with a few Canadian schools. I'm a Canadian student in need of significant financial aid, so getting in to any of my American choices will obviously be difficult. I'm also Caucasian, just for the record.</p>

<p>My current courses, with grades: </p>

<p>Mandarin 11 - 86%
English 12 - 100%
Economics 11 - 100%
Physical Education 11 - Pass
Principles of Mathematics 11 - 94%
Physics 12 - 100%
Social Studies 11 - 100%
Planning 11 - Pass
Chamber Choir - Pass</p>

<p>Courses for Grade 12</p>

<p>Mandarin 12
AP English Language and Composition
Law 12
Physical Education 12
Principles of Mathematics 12
AP Physics
AP European History
Planning 12
Chamber Choir </p>

<p>I haven't taken the SATs yet, but I have taken some practice tests and my highest score was 2000. My Math SATs were the worst, around 670. That may just be because I haven't actually learned all the math yet. I got 720 on Writing and 750 on Reading. </p>

<p>I attend a relatively small top-ranked private school on a scholarship. I'm ranked 1/100 in my grade. </p>

<p>Extracurriculars, arranged in order of importance: </p>

<p>Bible Study - I lead a bible study of Junior High girls. I also teach a Sunday school class.
Student Government - Head Girl for Grade 12
Debate Team - Captain - I'm a top debater nationally and internationally
Coach - I coach the Middle School debate team
Field Hockey - Captain and Goalkeeper
Track and Field/Cross-Country - Long Distance Captain
School Musical - Assistant Stage Manager
Peer Tutoring - Co-captain
Ballroom Dancing - Just for fun!</p>

<p>Honors/Awards:</p>

<p>-Elected Head Girl by teachers and student body
-Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
-Grade 9 and 10 School Citizenship Prize
-Various debate awards (ranging from Regionals to Internationals, and I'm a top draft pick for next year's Canadian National team)
-Various track and cross-country awards
-Silver medal at last year's field hockey Provincials
-Top Jitterbug at my most recent ballroom event (totally irrelevant, but kind of funny)</p>

<p>I'll be able to get a few very good recommendations. I take weekly classes with a well-known Bible scholar who is visiting our church. My pastor and teachers have let me know that they will provide references.</p>

2

<p>Strong chances! Excellent grades, good EC’s, decent test scores.
Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Great chance at all of them.</p>

4

<p>I find it unusual that your are applying to very liberal schools along with Wheaton, a very conservative one. Either way, you have decent shots at all.</p>

5

<p>Thanks everybody!</p>

<p>Another quick query:</p>

<p>I won’t be able to go to school in the US unless I get a scholarship. I’ve done a little digging, and Harvard, Yale, and Chicago all offer unlimited need-based aid for internationals. I’m not sure about Georgetown. Barnard has three scholarships for internationals, and Wheaton only has one. Do you think I have good chances at a scholarship?</p>

6

<p>it’s the debate thing that has to be played up. it shows you as a critical and capable thinker and orator. the set of skills required for debating is very handy for college and colleges know that. make sure they can see how extensive your debate prep has been. </p>

<p>you can add me on msn (<a href="mailto:srinathh@hotmail.com">srinathh@hotmail.com</a>) or aim (srrinath) if you want to talk more.</p>

7

<p>Head Girl? Like in Harry Potter? That’s flippin’ awesome.
I think Georgetown only gives need-based financial aid, so if you’re in need of that, you can look on their admissions website… not sure about international though, since I don’t qualify for need-based.</p>

8

<p>Your grades are fine but you should bring up your SAT score. 2000 probably won’t cut it.</p>

<p>I wonder though how you have so much time to do all your EC’s. You’re the captain of two sports teams, ranked internationally in debate, coach a middle school team, and are involved in student government. Are you sacrificing dedication for quantity?</p>

<p>Also, why are bible study and student government ranked ahead of being internationally recognized as a debater?</p>

9

<p>i agree with jamesford. Debating is normally a consuming passion and timekiller for those involved in it at a high level. you don’t even have to go international before you realize that you spend hours and hours every week dissecting motions and whatever. and yet here you are with a fair number of other extracurriculars. </p>

<p>you’re either exaggerating, or like jamesford guessed - sacrificing depth for breadth (though generally int’l debate would attest to the contrary)</p>

10

<p>Harvard and Yale offer financial aid completely on the basis of need. I believe Chicago does have some merit-based scholarships but the bulk of the fin. aid you can get there is for demonstrating financial need.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>