<p>I am an international student from New Zealand. I am applying to Amherst, along with some other colleges in USA.
Here is all the basic info I can think of:</p>
<p>SAT I: Critical reading 800, Maths 800, Writing 710</p>
<p>SAT II: Math II 800, Chemistry 800, Physics 800</p>
<p>Um, in NZ we don't really do GPAs, but my final year results are:
English: MMEME
Chemistry: EEEEEE
Physics:EEEEE
Maths with Calculus: EEEEE
Chinese: EEEEE
Latin: EEEE</p>
<p>(we have four grades: Not achieved, Achieved, Merit, Excellence)
Usually about 30% of students get N, 40% get A, 20% get M, and 10% (it's usually less than 10) get E.
A subject consists of a collection of 'standards'. We are awarded a certain grade (N, A, M or E) for each standard. Most standards are externally assessed in national exams, but some are internally assessed by school.</p>
<p>so I suppose I could convert that to a GPA somehow...</p>
<p>My ECs are alright. In my earlier years of high school, all my spare time was taken up with gymnastics. Then I quit when I was 15, and from then on started to get more involved.</p>
<p>When I was 15, I was picked along with 17 other NZers to go on a study trip to Shanxi University, in China, for a month.</p>
<p>When I was 16, I entered a Chinese Speech Competition, and got 1st in NZ, then went to China on the NZ rep team to compete in the international Chinese Language and Culture competition. We came 9th out of 29 teams. I also helped students at lunchtimes with maths (Math peer tutoring program)</p>
<p>When I was 17 (2009), I:</p>
<p>went on a Chinese Govt Scholarship (awarded to all participants of the international chinese comp) to Shandong Uni to study Chinese for a month</p>
<p>took up Singing lessons, and joined the school choir/barbershop group</p>
<p>was a dancer in 'Stage Challenge' (a national dance competition in which auditioned high school dance crews of about 100 students participate) which came 1st in New Zealand</p>
<p>was a form prefect and math peer tutor</p>
<p>worked as a tutor outside of school</p>
<p>As for awards, I have many from my school. Major awards include:</p>
<p>1st in year group at my high school 06, 07, 08, 09 (provisional)
100% in CIE AS Level Maths ('Top in the world' award) 08
New Zealand Scholarship in Latin (2nd in NZ) 08
High distinction RACI Chemistry Quiz 09
Gold medal in ACL National Latin Exam Levels 3, 4 in 07, 08 respectively
some other stuff.</p>
<p>My essays were good. My family is full of writers and my relatives liked them, so that's all good.</p>
<p>My teacher recommendations should be fine. I think my teachers are a little scared by my enthusiasm, to be honest </p>
<p>What are my chances?? If it means anything (I know it does for Stanford) I am applying for financial aid.</p>
<p>If there's anything I've missed out that I should have mentioned, just say </p>
<p>Thanks for your time!</p>