Chances despite bad ECs?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>So while I am an american citizen, my family decided to move to Doha (middle east) before my 9th year, and I have been studying here since then. There is a lack of extracurriculars or clubs offered at our school here (in fact, there is almost none.) I've basically tried to do the best I could do with the resources I have, but what I want to know is do I still have a chance to get into any Ivy league school or other highly ranked schools in the US?</p>

<p>Note: I just started senior year</p>

<p>stats:
GPA: 4.3 (overall) 4.9 (11th grade)
SAT: 2320 ( 800 maths, 760 CR, 760 W)
SAT II:
Math II: 780
Chemistry: 760
Physics: 780
Rank: 1 of 32 students in my year</p>

<p>AP scores: (so far, taking chemistry and a couple more this year):</p>

<p>AP Microeconomics (5)
AP World History (5)
AP Calculus BC (5)
AP Physics C (5)
AP English Language (5)</p>

<p>ECs:
The best I've done is volunteered in humanitarian work overseas to third world countries like Indonesia, pakistan, China and India. Worked with various NGO's during these trips.
Am in the city U-17 Soccer team, and might be captain this year during spring.
Have studied C++ and a few other programming languages.
I have created several rather successful websites and also created the one for our school.
Organized and started a chess club at the school.
Am fluent in English, German, French and Arabic. </p>

<p>As you see, grades are not bad, but EC's are. I have a year to repair that, but how much exactly do I need to do and is it still possible to make universities like Columbia and etc. ?
Some advice would be well appreciated. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Relax, your ECs are fine, particularly given how high your scores and grades are. Also, as it has been said many times at CC “For an American living abroad, that in itself is a great EC as it makes you interesting” One suggestion I have in that when you write your essays, 1) show some passion for your clubs and interests and 2) write how growing up in the Middle East has changed you for the better, particularly given the interesting events that have happened in the region in the past three years. Overall, I think you are in good shape for some top US colleges. Good Luck, Londondad</p>

3

<p>You look good. Your EC’s are better than you think.</p>