<p>Hey folks,
I am a Pakistani and i am doing my A2 ( A' level second year). I will be applying to the following universities by the end of this year:
1) Brown University
2) Tufts University (ED 2)
3) University of Chicago
4) Washington Uni. in St. Luis</p>
<p>But there are a few major problems. I was a really good student in my O level with grades in the highest 5% of my class but i slipped in my first year of A level (AS). But i have been involved in ALOT of extracurricular activities. I played a lot of sports (soccer, cricket, polo, golf, tennis, squash, badminton, basketball swimming) and surprisingly enough i was good at each and every one of the ones i mentioned. there might be a few i haven't mentioned. I have done my fair share of community service. I also did a summer internship with Honda Motors. This i think will boost my application a lot. I have also been a Mod and a writer for a tech blog and got paid for it. My SAT is pending on 1st Oct and my SAT 2 on 1st dec in physics and maths 2. I am learning how to use Oracle Database and am a major tech Geek.</p>
<p>Now let me tell you about my problems. When i said i slipped in my AS i mean i REALLY did badly. 2 D's and an E in physics math and chem. I had shifted from one city to another and i concentrated more on making my social life in the first term and lagged behind in my 2nd term. I know i ****** up. i'll be retaking my exams in OCT. life's hell these days. But i am really trying. I know i can do better as this is just not me. My second problem is that as you all know by now that i come from a poor country and our currency aint that strong as compared to yours. The maximum my dad can pay is $10,000 per year. So i'll be needing some heavy Financial Aid. I have done as much research on the schools i am applying to as one could using Google and a college counselor so i have a fair amount of knowledge about these colleges. </p>
<p>That said i just want to know from people who live in the states and have more access to the above stated schools that do i have any chances? or will i be just wasting my parents money?
P.S i want to do Electrical Engineering. Thanks.</p>
<p>I’m not 100% sure how your system works, but if you got multiple D’s and E’s the year before you applied, top tier universities aren’t likely to take you, especially not Brown or U of Chicago.</p>
<p>It also depends heavily on your SAT, though. If you did very well on those that could help you out.</p>
<p>Firstly, thanks for the reply. Well i know i don’t have chances with these grades that’s why i am re-taking the entire 3 subjects in the November session. the results will be out in the first week of January and my guess is they will give me the required time to submit my results. And trust me the result aren’t going to be an issue because i am putting a lot of effort into it this time around. I am also working really hard for my SAT’s.</p>
<p>If you have great SAT grades, you still have a great chance. What’s your estimated GPA and class rank? Do you have any leadership positions? What are things that you’re especially passionate about? If you emphasize these in your application, you still have a chance.</p>
<p>As you can tell from the replies there is very little knowledge of the British/Pakistani educational system (i.e. A levels) in the United States. That said the universities on you list would typically receive applications from international students and they would understand both your previous results, and (when you’ve retaken your exams) your eventual results. A full slate of As and A<em>s in your November results would go a long way to making your application competitive. So wait until you have your results before submitting your application. Some of the universities on your list are very selective and they get their share of A level applicants with straight As and A</em>s and without a retake situation so be prepared for the worse and have backup schools.</p>
<p>With January 1 the typical deadline for applications you may have an issue since your grades won’t be available by then. The universities would need to see your earlier grades since the typical A-level estimate process won’t apply. Perhaps you should consider a gap year and apply in 2012.</p>
<p>Hey, im applying in US with A levels as well… according to what people tell me they look at your SATs and all extra curriculur stuff a lot! And one more thing people talk about is your mid term report which in my school (in the UK) is a mock A2 level exam. I dunno if you have that but excel in that and give your scores in as well! but honestly buddy im not too sure if you would have a chance at Brown but then again one way your assuring to be rejected is to not apply!
One more thing…how do you get 112 views in 4 minutes ive still got 1 view and no reply ahah.
But good luck :)</p>
<p>Is your college counselor one of the advisors from EducationUSA? If not, read everything at their website, and then make an appointment at the office closest to where you live. There are several in Pakistan: [EducationUSA</a> - Find an Advising Center](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/Pakistan]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/Pakistan) These advisors are expert at helping students from your country find good places to study in the US, and they will be able to tell you whether or not your list is realistic. Since EducationUSA is a not-for-profit organization, and many of the counselors are volunteers (I used to do this when I lived in South America), any fees they might charge for their services will be minimal.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot people. I know my chances are slim but getting into Brown is somewhat, my dream. That 'd be huge if, somehow, i get in. I know getting into rest of the universities on my list is tough as well. With the grades i got in my first year i stand no chance. Can anyone suggest me some back up schools which offer the amount of financial help which i will be needing? and can anyone tell me that wont Brown or U.CH or TUFTS wait for just a week after the application submission? i’ll mail them the result as soon as i get them which is in the first week of January. Just a week after the deadline. i have heard they allow some amount of time to students who request for it? btw WUSTL’s deadline is 15th Jan so that wont be an issue. Once again thanks for the concern people…highly appreciated.</p>
<p>I think you should resit your ASs and achieve very high A2s. I dont think they even ask for ASs. Im trying to apply with AABB (at AS) but even then i dont know what my chances are. No website actually talks about your required AS scores. They all talk about what A2 subjects and grades you should have. But its kinda annoying i dont want to take a gap year!</p>
<p>Same here man. i am going all out on this. lets just hope i somehow get the admissions. i’ll try to to do something out of the box. I think they do want AS though because its wither this or you have to submit some kick-ass school transcripts.</p>
<p>A Tufts admission officer came by my school a month ago and specifically mentioned that he knew how ‘badly deflated’ our grades are in the region (I’m in Singapore and the percentile versus grades is really astounding for my school, with a huge chunk getting Ds and Es- a C is considered perfectly respectable in most cases), and that he was also familiar with our A level system. So that should help. Also, predicted A level grades are majorly important. Make sure you get that right. Though I might have just ruined mine… Good luck for applications!</p>