Chances for an Intl student?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey everyone.
This is my first thread, and I'd really appreciate any sort of advice.</p>

<p>Well, I'm applying from South Korea, which is virtually crawling with semi-psycopathic students with 2300+ SATs, overwhelming APs and ECs. I don't really know if I'd be able to differentiate myself or even compete. My family isn't that well off, either, and I would really appreciate some tips on financial aid as well, thanks :)</p>

<p>My SAT Scores are:
SAT I - CR 800 Writing 780 Math 800
SAT II - French with Listening (800), Chemistry (780), MathIIC (780), Chinese with Listening (720)</p>

<p>I've currently had 5 AP exams:
- European History (5)
- Calculus BC (5)
- French Language (5)
- (the now deceased) French Literature (5)
- Chemistry (5)</p>

<p>I'm planning on taking Music theory, US History, English Language, Chinese and World History this May.</p>

<p>As for Extracurriculars,</p>

<ul>
<li><p>I've been the chief/condctor of our school orchestra since 2008, holding various (but none too large) concerts. We also do a lot of community work, and privately aid a house for orphans and disabled children with funds we've raised. I've also played the violin for around 12 years, and held a couple of personal concerts - but again, nothing too fancy, and I don't think listing them on my application would help me very much.</p></li>
<li><p>I've won several national/international awards; 1st place in the Korean National Environmental Project Olympiad, 1st place in a state science competition, gold medal in the International Environmental Project Olympiad, and 2nd place in the International Student Science Fair. I've also won a silver and a bronze medal respectively during the last two years in a state rowing championship.</p></li>
<li><p>I guess I have at least some knack at grasping some languages; I speak fluent french, somewhat proved by my DELF C1 certificate, and the French Embassy officialy recognized me as a translator. I also speak Chinese (honestly, extremely poorly - but I have an HSK certificate) and Indonesian. Also won a private scholarship for linguistic capabilities.</p></li>
<li><p>Er... I've had some internship experience under the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, particiapting in projects studying the welfare/environmental policies of France and England, and another one concerning the implementation of sustainable development projects in France.</p></li>
<li><p>held a position in the school student council, and was representative of our school's sports clubs.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>What really makes me nervous is my GPA. I used to attend a French school for 4 years before returning to my current Korean school and I had some difficulties adjusting at first - including laziness. I probably have weighted GPAs of: 3.2 -> 3.6 -> 4.1 -> 4.3 and have two semesters remaining, on which I <em>sigh</em> would like to get something around 4.3. Even then, my total unweighted GPA won't be over 3.6, I guess.</p>

<p>I guess this is a long list. I really appreciate that you took the time to read the whole thing, and would appreciate it even more if you would have something to say about it.
My EC list is a jumbled mess, and quite honestly I don't think it holds much appeal.</p>

<p>I would fancy myself applying to Yale, but... <em>sigh</em> who doesn't? What colleges would you recommend for applying?</p>

2

<p>Damn! You have an almost perfect SAT I. Let me tell you how it works in the US. We are not smart compared to other countries. Your 2380 is a lot better than what the majority of us have (even in the CC community). If I were you I'd apply to the Ivy Leagues. One or more schools should accept you. As far as financial aid, the Ivy Leagues have been giving less fortunate families pretty good aid. As an international student, I don't know how it would work, but I'd visit the websites of the schools you want to apply to. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your response! :) Still worried about the far-from-perfect GPA, though...</p>

4

<p>You've got an upward trend on the GPA. Your English is native-speaker quality.
Your ECs are impressive. You should be competitive anywhere.</p>

5

<p>Thank you! Guess I should keep my hopes up high..</p>

6

<p>Your competition will come from the others applying from S. Korea. Each ivy will take a few each year and they will take the best among your peers. So it's not going to be about just grades and GPA, because as you point out, many have them in your Country,</p>

<p>You need to focus on truly differentiating yourself from the hordes applying from S Korea, especially at the schools that are need blind to internationals.</p>

7

<p>yeess... <em>sigh</em> just two semesters left, i guess</p>