Chances at top schools?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I know chances threads aren't exactly accurate, schools are looking for fit, etc. etc. but here goes:</p>

<p>SAT I: 2260 (CR 800 M 680 W 780)
SAT II: Chinese 800, Literature 800, Physics 780, Math 1: 700
International student taking the full IB diploma (6 IB subjects)
Predicted 44/45 (do they look at predicted grades?)
Grades: got 43/45 twice last year but this year they fell to 38/42 ( is this a big deal?)</p>

<p>Awards: [ivy school] book award</p>

<p>ECs:
Editor of school magazine
promotions leader for yearbook
head of an international issues club/forum
on a committee that organized an international student conference
MUN
Debate Team
Piano for 6 years</p>

<p>Service:
Treasurer of a student charity
Student leader of a community service group
went on a service trip to a SEasian country to help build a house
host of a charity dinner</p>

<p>Work:
Banking and Finance course (summer)
English tutor for 3 months
summer internship at advertising firm</p>

<p>Essays: a narrative one about my service trip (the writing is ok but perhaps a bit impersonal)
One about being international (quite generic)
Recommendations: sending 3... 2 good, one ok.</p>

<p>Can anyone evaluate my chances for top universities (HYPS level), Duke, UChicago, NYU-Stern, the UCs?</p>

<p>Thanks I really appreciate this and any suggestions!</p>

2

<p>What strikes me is the essay. It's a chance to tell the reader who you are, not how well you can record an event. Also, the subject of "service trips" -- helping the poor folks that moves you -- can be a commonplace essay topic. I'm not say change it, but it REALLY needs to say something about you and your universe.</p>

<p>Your metrics look fine, congratulations! The book award is OK but very commonplace, too. Best of luck to you.</p>

3

<p>thanks, that really helped - I'll go through my essay again!</p>

4

<p>If Chinese is your native language, they will likely disregard the 800 SAT II. I don't understand how your grading system works, but falling grades during your senior year are a problem. Again, 38/42 might not be enough of a dip to hurt you, but admissions officers want to see an upward trend. Hard to really understand what your extracurriculars mean without more info, but they could be a little weak for HYPS. Agree with T26 about making your essays the best they can be. A rule of essay writing is to show, not to tell--don't just narrate events.</p>