<p>Hi! This is my first post in these forum. I am an international student from Cyprus who is planning to apply to some of the top bioengineering(including biological engineering) schools this year and I wanted to learn if ı stand a chance for getting accepted to MIT. I have not applied early decision to Upenn just because I was wondering if I could get into MIT.
-Rank: 1/122 most competitive school in the region
-GPA: 9,94/10
-SAT I: maths 800 two times repetitively, verbal 520(my weakest point), writing 560
-TOEFL: 653, TWE: 5.0
-SAT II: Maths Ic 770, physics 660(ı have taken physics without any preparation)
-10 GCE O levels- all A(got the highest marks in north cyprus except physics and english)
-Taking Maths A level and Physics AS level this year.
-I have been awarded a special scholarship of $28,500 annualy from Fulbright commision for my academic excellence and leadership qualities.( 2 of the 4 students who got this award in the last 4 years are studying bioengineering at UPenn)
-ECs:
*Doing scuba diving for the last 3 year.
*Editor of school newspaper(TMK times).
*The chairman of the honorary council of my school for the last 2 years.
*Latin dancing for the last 3 years, represented my school at two competitions.
*Attended mediation programmes for reducing violence in schools.
*Participated in some bicommunal activities, one in Vermont-USA one in Cyprus about conflict resolution.
*Active member of a Cancer Organization
*Became 1st at a national Maths competition with the school team.
*Represented 9th forms in the school exhibition with my research.
*Representing my country in the EU parliament at a conference about the future of science at european union.
-Excellent recommendations expected from maths and english teacher</p>
<p>the scores are ok for penn SEAS. definitely retake physics SATII. ur english and verbal scores are the same with mine. u'll definitely get into jhu (but not sure if u get into bme or not) and u have the chance for penn. just make sure ur essays r ok. im not an adcom expert though.</p>
<p>Definately try to raise your SAT scores. The average for SEAS last year was 1460 (old SAT). JHU's was probably about the same and MIT's was higher. High scores can't get you in but low scores can possibly keep you out.</p>
<p>hm.. thought of commenting, cos im an international student too. i do agree that you should try increasing your SAT1 scores..it can be practised.. i managed to improve my writing by 110 just by practising. how are the other applicants from your country fare in their SATs? as far as i know, the admissions compare with people from your own country.. so, let's say, if they can score 600-700 for their english component, there's no reason why you can't. anyway, if your maths is so strong (800), you shld have taken math2 to show your competence..for my country's applicants..we usually depend on our SAT2 to pull our application up.. cos getting a 2150 is already a fantastic score for SAT1.. (considering there's 2 english components..) what do we mean by using SAT2 to beautify our application... is perfect score.. or at least 750(quoting my application counselor). i was with a friend when we looked for our application counselor.. my friend had gotten 720, 740 and 780 for phy, chem and math2c respectively.. and my counselor was shocked that she wasn't retaking... so in the end.. she signed up for phy and chem in dec.. personally, i take the A levels too.. taking economics and physics AS level. and if you are taking the same system of examinations, I think the admissions will have the same or similar expectations of your standards in the various subject test. all da best
by the way, your SATs are the only weaknesses i see... just study hard for it!</p>
<p>with my stat i could still get into penn and jhu so i think it's not that hard.
satI math 800 verbal 490
toefl 263
mathIIC800 phys 800 chem 800 biolM 800 writing 560
ap calc bc 5, phys c mech 5, electro 4, biol 5, chem 5 (all taken after admitted to penn).</p>
<p>but my high school didnt teach in english though. almost nobody there speak english. </p>
<p>but look at your strong subject tests! he needs that too... 770 in math1 isn't that impressive...he should attempt math2 if he feels competent. and btw, i guess it all depends on the standard of english in his country... if, like you, no one uses english, and everyone scores around 500... then i guess the admin shld understand..well.. that is not my case...cos my country is bilingual..so, it's just my luck that my family don't converse in english..and i cant score easily in my writing and verbal just like how my friends can..</p>