Chances for Univerisity of Chicago

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>hey guys this is my very first post in this forum and your replies and comments will be appreciated.</p>

<p>Im from Bangladesh, doing GCE A Levels in 5 subjects - Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Maths and Further Maths. Most would consider this to be a fairly challenging course since most people take 4 A Levels at max.</p>

<p>I have not been able to take up Language subjects or more essay-based subjects like history because my school does not offer them.</p>

<p>My academics thus far have been very good, and I have received straight As in all my board exams so far. Presumably this gives me a full GPA. I have also received a world top 10 score in my O Level Accounting exam, and have been Valedictorian from the school from where I gave my O Levels. Currently, I rank 4th out of about 220 people in my high school.</p>

<p>I applied to a few UK schools without my SATs for studying Economics, and I got into places like LSE and UCL. I plan to attend LSE.</p>

<p>But the circumstance is such that the UKBA is currently not giving any visas to BD students, which is why I am considering appearing for the SATs and applying to the US unis. From what I see, the top schools for Economics are UChicago, Harvard, Princeton, MIT and Stanford, and I plan to apply to all of those except for MIT. Obviously, much of it would depend on my SAT scores and essays as well, and the ECAs.</p>

<p>So please chance me, specially for UChicago which is my prime target</p>

<p>SAT mock scores indicate I will score within 2050-2200
I havent really thought of the essays but I am a hard worker and am prepared to give my best to give the Admission officers what they want from a good applicant.</p>

<p>ECAs
- Participated in many national debate tournaments, and I am still active as a debater. I have ranked amongst the top speakers in many national tournaments, and barely missed the chance to attend the World Schools Debating Championship as a part of team Bangladesh. I wont get another chance to prove myself in the selection stages since my age limit has been crossed. However, my school has sent me as the sole debater to a Biotechnology festival in India last year. This is my main ECA.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>I have served as the president of the school's debating society for a year.</p></li>
<li><p>Community service: visiting old homes, selling T-shirts for charity organizations, and led a Raffle Draw project to raise funds and donate about $700 to a Cancer foundation.</p></li>
<li><p>For the gap year, I plan to work for an NGO and do some more social work to help underprivileged masses.</p></li>
<li><p>I wrote a big article, once for the school newsletter.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Thank you!!</p>

2

<p>get the sats higher. these guys are becoming even more selective than the ivys.
get a few AWESOME ECs</p>

3

<p>what ECs would you suggest then?</p>

4

<p>your ECs are just fine, especially given that you aren’t coming from the typical American HS resume-driven background (ok, perhaps from a UK one). regardless, you are fine in that regard.</p>

<p>you do want to get your SATs past the 2200s, though.</p>

5

<p>well it is true that we dont get that many opportunities for the ECs americans can, and in Bangladesh no company would allow high school kids to do any kind of work. I’ve read in places that Admission Officers like candidates who show passion for one EC. I think I can do that with debate.</p>

<p>So what would be my chances if my SATs are more than 2200?</p>

6

<p>solid, but you must realise that a) UChicago’s application essays are very different from what you’re likely used to/expecting, and b) if you’re looking for substantial financial aid, US schools may not be possible.</p>

7

<p>i would need a little more than 50%, and I’ve seen many kids from bangladesh getting a lot of aid.</p>

<p>so asking for aid will ruin my chances?</p>

8

<p>anyone care to reply?</p>