Hi- I am thinking of applying to aforementioned universities as an international from UK and was wondering if I have a shot.Admission rates for internationals usually around 2% I hear?
IGCSEs: 8 A* 2A
IB Predicted 40/45
(Maths Physics Economics Higher Level, French English Geography Standard Level)
ACT Composite 34 (Reading 32 English 33 Maths 35 Science 35)
SAT Math Level 2 : 720
SAT Physics : 700
Extracurricular-
• Coded computer game in python
• Released app on App Store iOS
• Coded HTML Site
• Coded computer game in java
• Been to 2 Coding summer courses
• Silver and Gold in UK Maths Junior Challenge
• Silver x3 in UK Maths Senior Challenge
• Earned £1000+ through bitcoin mining
• Built my own computer
• Completed google digital marketing course (100% in exam)
• Captain of B team football for 3yrs
• Completed over 50hrs volunteering with mentally challenged adults
• Played piano for 6 yrs (Grade 3)
• Played drums for 2yrs (did not do grades)
• Started a small business
Work Experience:
• Worked for national company on recruitment task in a course, led digital marketing team
• Worked in a business on finance, marketing tasks.
• Worked in a business and learned about investment opportunities
I am super interested in business and technology (coding and that!) and I think I reflect this with what I’ve done. I’m from UK and if anyone thinks I have a good shot let me know!
You know your chances are slim as an international, no matter how incredible you are. Have you checked out the M&T program at Penn? It combines business with technology so I thought you might want to look into it if you have not already.
Write good essays and hope for the best! Make sure you have a wide range of match schools and safety schools
Yes I have checked it out, does look good. Usually students from our school apply to 7 universities and we are usually quite successful (5 to Stanford, 3 to Penn, 2 to Cornell, Yale, Harvard out of around 30 students) so hopefully I have an advantage for the essays there! Safety schools I’m looking at UCLA/UCB
You definitely have a shot, but I would try and up your math level 2 to a 750+ if possible.
Great EC’s set you up for success in admissions at most schools. Those schools are still all competitive but you are certainty qualified for all of them. Good luck! Chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/2005772/chance-me-please/
You have passion which is probably the one thing that colleges want. They don’t care if your leader of the world unless you care as well. Therefore, I can see you going to these schools.
Chance back?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/2002920-just-a-good-ol-chance-me-thread-top-tier-you-know-the-deal.html#latest
UCLA and UCB are not safety schools with an overall <20% acceptance rate. You are definitely a qualified applicant but a safety school for an International applicant is usually a school in your home country. Consider them a Reach.
Fair enough- of course I am applying in my home country of the UK such as Oxford, Cambridge etc where I stand a MUCH better chance - this is my last resort however.
Your interest in and passion for the STEM field is very apparent and should definitely help you within the admissions process but just as others have said I would work on your SAT Math score as it is on the lower end of what you would need to be competitive. You have a overall pretty impressive profile good luck!!!
Thanks man appreciate it. I may re take and aim for 750 at least. I’m v good at maths, it was a slight off day for me (I’m doing higher level maths at IB so I know I’m better than that) so hopefully it won’t be a problem. Also if I didn’t mention, my 2 coding summer schools were Cambridge University led, which I believe may make it sound more impressive on an application. Thanks for your responses guys.
M&T is one of the most competitive programs in the country. If you don’t absolutely love the program, I suggest applying to the engineering school at Penn or Wharton
Chances are rough internationally. Your ECs are good, but some of the stuff (i.e. Bitcoin Mining, computer building, and the games/sites you have code) is more hobby-based. It does show your passion, don’t get me wrong, but on my resume I have separate sections for activities/positions, awards, and interests/hobbies. My activities are like officer, director, varsity, etc., and my hobbies are my hackathon projects, websites, and other things of the sort.
Also, ACT is good, but SAT could use work. Generally, you should score close to 800 on both your SAT II’s, especially for your schools. I looked it up just now, and MIT stated that the Math II scores ranged 720-800. I’m not sure if that’s percentile or 720 is a bottom cap, but either way, improve both scores before applying. The curves on both tests are crazy - I’m pretty sure you can get more than a dozen questions on physics and get an 800, and like 5 or 6 wrong on math. Admissions knows that so they will be looking for at least a 760-770 on both.
Lastly, your paid summer programs don’t matter to colleges that much at all. Unless you had to make it in through a rigorous admissions exam/process (i.e. Columbia’s Science Thing, MIT Launch, etc.), they don’t care. All it tells them is that you can pay for it.
I’m aiming for 750+ on SAT II and I’m sure im able to get that when I resit- my target score is set at 780 for both. The 2 courses did have admissions processes as they were Cambridge university run programmes, it wasn’t too rigorous though. I will try my best with extra curricular for sure but our school doesn’t have many options which is why I’m spending a lot of time doing things out of school as the culture here is very much not focused on EC
agree UCLA and UCB will not be safeties. I think being from UK, your chances are better at small LACs that want international students. Maybe Williams or Bowdoin may be better for you?
Good grades and scores and amazing ecs. SAT score could have been better but you can use the ACT score instad which is very good. One of the best resumes ive ever seen. It will be difficult because you are international and they accept about 200 internationals each year butyour profile is great and i thin you are a very competitive applicant! Good luck! Maybe chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/20773772#Comment_20773772
@preppedparent Fair enough. However I think my real safeties will be in the UK
@ivystateofmind Cheers bro , my subject tests will hopefully improve after my resit fingers crossed.