<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I'm new to the whole US college thing here, so please excuse any seemingly ridiculous comments or additions in this post. I'm still learning about the education and application system so give me a break if I say something hilariously nonsensical.</p>
<p>I'm hoping to apply to UCLA, USC and NYU. I don't know how much of a reach it'll be. My aim is to get into the film programs at any of them. I'm really just looking for some guidance or opinions as to whether or not I'll have a reasonable enough shot as applying will take out a great deal of work time for me which I really can't afford if I have Buckley's chance in the first place.</p>
<p>So, anyway, my stats:</p>
<h2>White Australian Female</h2>
<p>High School Class of 2006
UAI (final high school mark for uni admission): 93.2/100. Not sure how this would convert to a GPA, but puts me comfortably in top 10% of state/country.
Rank: School doesn't rank, but would be in top 5% to 10%.
SAT I: Critical Reading - 670, Math - 710, Writing - 690. Re-sitting later this year. Just found out you're meant to study for them. Oops.
SAT II: Haven't sat yet.</p>
<h2>ACT: Haven't sat yet.</h2>
<h2>Senior Schedule: English (Advanced/Extension 1/Extension 2), Mathematics (Advanced/Extension 1), Chemistry, Physics, Modern History. This was the most rigorous schedule available to me, except taking up Math Extension 2.</h2>
<p>One Year Filmmaking Diploma - New York Film Academy 2007 (London Campus)</p>
<h2>Certificate IV in Photography and Photoimaging, New South Wales TAFE 2008</h2>
<p>ECs (or at least those that I can remember at 4am)</p>
<p>[Sports]</p>
<p>12 years recreational soccer (MVP, Most Improved and Captain in various years)
5 years HRIS and CIS soccer (lower and higher level school representative), 3 years Captain
3 years Bill Turner Cup Shield soccer (regional representative), 3 years Captain
3 years recreational squash, 2 years HRIS squash, 2 years recreational basketball</p>
<p>[School/Clubs]</p>
<p>School Captain (senior year)
Student Representative Council Vice/President (soph/junior year)
Student Board - Head of Community and Social Justice Program (senior year)
President: Film Club, Science Club, Photography Club
Participant in every school drama/music production. Minor roles. There's a reason I want to end up behind the camera.
University of Sydney Science/Engineering Challenge state finalist
Australian Business Week Challenge national finalist
Debating Squad (soph/junior), Australian Youth Choir (soph)
NSW Higher School Certificate Honor Roll, Principal's Honor Roll
Senior Community and Citizenship Award, Award for Academic Excellence (freshm to senior)</p>
<p>I'm not sure whether to include these EC's, both in terms of importance and "diversity":</p>
<p>[School]</p>
<p>First accelerated student in school's history, so initiated the creation of a "buddy" program for any students that did so afterward.
Assisted in establishing school's first recycling program.
Helped develop yearly student volunteer aid exchange to Vietnam (building rural housing/schools)
Tutor Years 7 - 10 in science, history and English (soph/junior/senior)</p>
<p>[Work/Volunteer/Experience]</p>
<p>18 months experience working in film and television industry (primarily camera work, film/tv/music/documentary; some writing/directing)
5 week Summer exchange in USA 2005 (homestay in Mesa, Arizona)
4 week volunteer archaeological dig in Israel 2008
6 week Ride Around Australia for the Ageing and Alzheimer's Research Foundation (also part of documentary crew)
3 years experience junior veterinary assistant
Extensive domestic and international travel, both for recreation and education.</p>
<p>[Community/Citizenship]</p>
<p>Founder and administrator of website for child/teenage domestic abuse victims
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Medallion (community service award)
3 years community theatre participant (cast and crew)
2 years Legacy volunteer (war veterans fund)
4 years Clean Up Australia/Planet Ark "Tree Planter" volunteer
Lifetime GERRIC Member (Gifted Education Research Resource and Information Centre)</p>
<p>Sorry that was so long. Hopefully most of it makes sense and doesn't sound overly wanky. The extra-curricular thing is kind of strange for me to write about as EC's and essays are never taken into account for Aussie university apps. Please tell me if some are just ridiculous and should be taken out. I'm sure there are a fair few up there.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any predictions, thoughts or suggestions, and for reading through that entire post.</p>