<p>Hello,</p>
<p>first of all, I know very well how competitive transfer applications are, and specifically to the universities I have in mind, MIT & Stanford. That's covered. Just focus on my application rather than those admission rates which I know. ;D</p>
<p>I'm from Saudi Arabia, which I guess could be considered an interesting demographic with all the controversy and media attention.</p>
<p>This year I'm applying to UBC, and I'll spend my freshman year there, then I'll apply for transfer in Fall 2010.</p>
<p>I finished highschool in July 2008. Between July 2008 and September 2009 I am at Saudi Aramco's College Prepatory Program (CPP), which is a very competitive program that aims to send Saudi students to top universities abroad to work for Aramco. It's something like highschool, except much harder.</p>
<p>I'll major in Computer Engineering.</p>
<p>Highschool GPAs:
- 3.5/4 in college prepatory year
- 99% in 12th grade
- 98% is the least I've got in my life</p>
<p>International Tests:
- Toefl iBT: 114/120
- SAT Math: 680
- SAT Reading: 620
- SAT Writing: 490
- SAT2 Math IIC: 780
- SAT2 Physics: 800
- Will take AP Physics Mechanics, AP Physics Electromagnetism, and AP Calculcus BC</p>
<p>Competitions & Awards:
- Student of the year (nation-wide) in 6th grade
- Scout group leader (not sure of exact title in English)
- 2nd place regionally in Physics Olympiad
- 1st place naionally in Physics Olympiad
- Participated in International Physics Olympiad
- Won 3 silver medals and a golden in Aramco's swim meet
- Student-athelete of the month at CPP December 2008</p>
<p>Community service:
- Participated in organizing the Al Khobar (my city) Charity Run for several years with huge success, with total donations of up to $10,000 to different organizations March of every year since 2004.
- Volunteered to manage and teach a youth center where I taught kids of ages 7 to 11 how to use computers starting from basic usage to assembling hardware and basic programming over 2 months starting August 2008
- Founded and managed the ACT4EARTH recycling project Aramco-wide. The project has more than doubled the company's recycling activities. It started in November 2008 and still is ongoing.
- Participated in Snacks for Charity. I and a few students would buy lots of snacks and go sell them at sports events with all profits going to orphan organizations.
- Founding BIKE4EARTH. This project aims to promote and facilitate bicycle usage for students at CPP. Started December 2008.
- Gave numerous free software & open source promotion presentations at Aramco. I also act as local technical support for Linux.</p>
<p>Skills and Positions:
- Fluent in Arabic (of course)
- Fluent in English
- Can read and write Latin
- Vice president of the student council at CPP
- Co-founder of the book club at CPP</p>
<p>I also will do a lot in that year in UBC. A basic idea of what I'm thinking about:
- Learn French (made easier by Latin)
- Achieve in a martial art
- Expand on my swimming talent
- Launch community service projects
- Improve my SAT1 scores
- Get a 3.7+ GPA</p>
<p>What's your input? =D</p>
<p>P.S.: If you have any questions about Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco, or the CPP specifically, please ask. And if you want a Saudi friend just sent me a PM =)</p>