Chances to get into graduate chemistry program!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi!</p>

<p>I'm currently 17 year old student from Austria and I want to study chemistry at a top US-University such as MIT, Caltech, Harvard, California-Berkeley.</p>

<p>My achievements:</p>

<p>skipped 11th grade
highest possible GPA at school
won regional chemistry olympiad 6 times
double winner of national chemistry olympiad
three gold medals from international chemistry olympiad, best western student in 2004
winner of regional english speeking contest
GRE chemistry score: 880
GRE general not taken yet, but Q:800, V:400 or below, W: 4 or below expected
classified "highly gifted student", meet admissions criteria for Mensa etc.
research experience:
winner of special price for best practical student research paper in Austria
4-week internship at Degussa (fine chemical manufacturer)
4-week practical work together with leading Austrian biochemist (studied in USA)</p>

<p>The problems are:
very poor financial resources (total family income 1200$ per month)
undergraduate institution does not enjoy good reputation and does not award BSci title, but will confirm that I have reached BSci level.
I don't have any real extracurricular achievements nor any important social achievements</p>

<p>I would be very pleased if you could evaluate my application and give me some tips for my application!</p>

2

<p>Nice. If you're ready for graduate work at that age, go for it. MIT/harvard admission might be questionable because of the GRE verbal, but Caltech would probably overlook it (for graduate, I think they are more apt to only look at you as a chemist, not as an extracurricular person, and your accomplishments are incredible in chemistry). Berkeley looks very good. Get the biochemist you worked with to write a recommendation.</p>

<p>Note that at Caltech, it takes a lot of work and time to get attention from advisors at the graduate level, and it is cut-throat. At Berkeley, you would get a lot more attention. There would be a bit more distraction because of san francisco, but you don't seem like the type to be distracted.</p>

<p>I don't think money will be a problem. You'd likeley get all-tuition-paid, and possibly stipends (extra money to pay for an apartment) if you are willing to be a Teaching Advisor. Age can be a problem for this (a 17-year old teaching 20-year-olds? I'm not sure...) I don't know how not being a US citizen will affect the financial aspect. </p>

<p>Good job. Where in Austria are you?</p>