Do I have any chance to get into an Ivy League?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello,

I am an intenational student (curretly studying grade 12) and I am planning to apply to a few US colleges.
I studied grades 9 and 10 in Spain and had a GPA of 9,25/10 with a very heavy course load. I got a scolarship to study grade 11 in Canada and I got a GPA of 90/100 but, even being in grade 11, I took a few grade 12 courses and the hardest grade 11 courses I found. Even though, the Canadian high school where I studied doesn’t do APs or IBs or any other of this classes. As a result, I have a 3.7/4 GPA (unweighted) but I think it could be higher if the grade 12 classes I took in grade 11 were considered. This year I am taking: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Spanish, English, Philosophy, History and Catalan.

Extracurriculars: I have been rowing since grade 7 (skipping grade 11 because I could not row in Canada) and I have been champion of Spain twice and third of Europe. I spend rowing around 20 hours per week 40 weeks per year. Besides this, I did cross-country and volleyball in grade 11 in Canada. I am currently doing robotics and I just started a club that engages activities between elderly and kids. I took German lessons in grade 9 and played the piano but I had to quit when my rowing practises increased. I also have two blogs: one I have kept throughout high school and another one about my year studying abroad.

Standardized tests: I took the ACT in September and got a 28 composite. I have also taken the TOEFL iBT and got a 97 although I am retaking it because I think I can do much better. I am also thinking in retaking the ACT in December (we do not have a November ACT date in Spain).

I know it is very very very difficult to get into an Ivy League even with perfect scores and perfect extracurriculars. And I know I do not have any, but I would like to know if I would have a chance at any Ivy or other top college with these scores. I also know I have a slightly higher chance to get in on the Early Decision round, so I’d like to know if I should really apply to any or wait to the regular round and apply with higher ACT and TOEFL scores even though the acceptance rate would be lower.

Thank you very much!!

2

Sadly, no.

While there may be colleges that are exceptions, for most top tier colleges, you application will probably not even be considered until you get at least 100. Any college needs to be certain that the applicant is comfortable in English, as that is the

For most of these colleges, the 25th percentile of accepted applicants is in the 31-32 range, and many applicants with those scores are seriously hooked (e.g. athletic recruit). International acceptance rates are roughly half of the overall rate, so a 28 is not even in the ballpark.

Get your scores up and then ask again or ask for recommendations for colleges that are in line with your stats. Particularly if you don’r need FA, there are colleges that will welcome you. But, for now, there is no sense in even applying to a top tier in the early round, IMO.

3

I think that you have a better chance at some of the good universities in Canada, but even then you would need to get your TOEFL up and would also need to either get your ACT up or apply to one of the small (and therefore less well known) test-optional universities.

4

Are you good enough to row at an American university? If so, reach out to coaches with your erg scores and other information. Being a recruited athlete significantly boosts your profile for schools

5

Like @doorrealthe says- reach out to rowing coaches. But also try to get your ACT score up bc a 28 is low even for recruited athletes.