Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Asian American living abroad in Hong Kong
Freshman/Soph year British GCSE examinations. Graded from 1 - 7, 7 being the highest: English 7, Math 7, Co-science 7, Music 7, Chinese 7, Economics 5
IB Diploma, predicted 40/42 (before TOK and EE)
No class rank
SAT: 2200 (750M / 730CR / 720W)
SATII: MathII 780, Chinese 790, Literature 730</p>

<p>ECs:
Taekwondo - black belt (since 13), assistant teacher, official examiner for ***HK (Hong Kong offical Taekwondo federation)
Church – youth leader, worship team/leader, bible study leader
Varsity Soccer – 2 years
Varsity Tennis – 2 years
Tutoring at local community center - 2 years
Piano - ABRSM grade 8</p>

<p>Employment:
Summer before senior year: Working at Marriot Hotel (restaurant and housekeeping)
Summer before junior year: Working at Ben & Jerry’s</p>

<p>Others:
(Co)Organized a breast cancer charity concert that raised over $60,000 (and awareness!!)
Spent summer before sophomore year volunteering in Cambodia. I drank some kind of infected water or something and was diagnosed with hepatitis, spent a month in the hospital (I'm fine now). Sap story that I might use for app essay?</p>

<p>First choice school, I'm thinking of applying ED but my parents want me to also consider applying to UPenn or MIT (I have legacy for both schools)</p>

2

<p>if you apply ED, i think you'll have a pretty good shot, RD is always tough coming from hong kong, the applicant pool is quite competitive. That said your profile does fit the bill. A 40/42 is around what most accepted applicants have. the range is 38-42/42, I've never heard of someone with less than a 38 get in and they do get a fair number of 42/42 applicants. SATS are competitive. you've had international exposure, you've done community service, you're a good fit from the looks of it. I wouldn't apply to MIT unless you wake up every morning and dream about math, science / engineering. Upenn is a good school, but it's very pre-professional, if one of your parents studied there you will have an advantage ED. I really think you should do columbia ED, you should get in with good recs and essays.</p>