<p>Hello everyone, I am an Argentine student trying to get into Claremont McKenna and I would like to know if you believe I have what is needed (and if not, what you think I should do to get that which I lack). So let's get started:</p>
<p>Let me clarify something that I believe really important: this is a decision I took while I was in the US as an Exchange Student: I was never (and probably will never be) one of those super Asian students that get 2200+ SAT and a GPA of 4.0 and have 10+ awards and extracurricular activities as I've seen here. The reason why I want to get into an American College is that I believe I will have more chances of getting a job related to what I want to study, International Relations, as it is not such a developed area in my country.</p>
<p>So...</p>
<p>Why Claremont McKenna?</p>
<p>From what I have seen and heard, it sound like the perfect place for me: full of passionate people and an interest in forming leaders. Also the holistic approach to the application process does sound alluring (I have to admit that the SAT was a nightmare to me). </p>
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<p>GPA throughout High school: I have yet to calculate it, but it should be around 3.0. I was never an A student, more of a B+.</p>
<p>SAT: 1610. I took it while in the US and had only a week and a half to study.</p>
<p>The educational system here doesn't allow us to choose subjects. Most of my grades are B+, B and some A, being the Social Sciences my strongest areas.</p>
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<h2>Extracurricular Activities:</h2>
<p>-Exchange Student, finished my semester abroad with a straight-A score and in the top 20% of the Senior class (I was given a voice in it, but I took most classes based on the recommendations of my counsellor, and they varied in intensity - I was not allowed into AP classes though).</p>
<p>-Model United Nations: 3 times in the past 3 years, once as an ambassador and twice as a Security Council delegate, the past two times I had to coach new students.</p>
<p>-International Club: helped create and participated in the first International Club of my American school, for exchange students and immigrants.</p>
<p>-Self-taught pianist. (I still have trouble when it comes to reading music, but I'm working on it. The headmistress of my school asked me to play in my graduation.).</p>
<p>-English classes.</p>
<p>-Sports: Used to practice tennis. Now I just go to the gym around 3 times a week.</p>
<p>-I'm about to join a sort of debate club in which some students meet and discuss different topics like Education, Democracy, etc, etc.</p>
<p>-I'm working on this project in which I'll assess the Argentine educational system, talk to students who are willing to improve it and then present a project to the Minister of Education of my province.</p>
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<h2>Academic Awards:</h2>
<p>-First Certificate in English: "A" grade. For those who don't know, it's an exam from Cambridge, and it's British English.</p>
<ul>
<li>Best pupil in my Certificate in Advanced English class (finished the course with an A average. Sadly, that was not reflected in my final exam at all). Also from Cambridge.</li>
</ul>
<p>-Certificate of completed course of study in the US by my school.</p>
<p>-Certificates of participation of the past two Model UN (I will have the third one soon, before sending my application).</p>
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<h2>A Little About Me:</h2>
<ul>
<li><p>I love reading about international relations. I follow all the news about it and I enjoy reading articles that analyse them. I also like talking and discussing about politics.</p></li>
<li><p>I love debating. The Model UN has taught me quite a lot about it, not always by nice methods haha.</p></li>
<li><p>I'm quite a passionate guy, I'm fond of watching TED Talks which inspire me to take action on many issues.</p></li>
<li><p>I like being the leader, especially if I'm leading a group which will do something related to what I'm passionate about.</p></li>
<li><p>Since my return I have felt compelled to take action to improve the educational system here. It's something that haunts me and something that I really want to do.</p></li>
</ul>
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<p>Well, that's all. I'm sort of new into this so I hope everything is fine. Thanks beforehand!!</p>