<p>What type of extra-curriculars and achievements do Admissions Committees look for in international ( Indian ) applicants - at top, mid, and bottom tier colleges?</p>
<p>How do things like regular participation in competitions, and winning in atleast 50% help?</p>
<p>Does a blog about computer software, reviews, etc.. help show interest towards a CS undergrad degree?</p>
<p>What else can help increase admission chances?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>For the High School Class of 2016. It is immensely relevant to you:</p>
<p>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/14407257-post106.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/14407257-post106.html</a></p>
<p>Hmmm. I see.</p>
<p>However, I was looking more along the lines of what type of ECs are important and worth mentioning.</p>
<p>Also, what kind of advice can you give me regarding applications, essays, and generally anything else?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Well going by the people here on CC, the general consensus is that the colleges want a well rounded Student Body, not a well rounded student. In lay man terms, one should pursue his/her interest and have depth in their application, not width. They want a student to be good in their respective field. Seeing the various decision threads, the people accepted in elite colleges tend to be very good at what they do, rather than being OKish at everything.
As for winning competition goes, I think colleges only pay real attention to Government ones, like KVPY;NTSE;RMO;IMO.
The rest is what Tizil already said. :)</p>
<p>@mrinal2207-</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Would they look at private spelling bees like the one conducted by MARRS - 'cuz, i qualified for the international level.
Also, would they consider ranks in NSO and NCO, achieved before 11th grade?</p>
<p>They would certainly consider them. But, as I said, a lot depends on the other parts of the applications, namely the Essays. College Admissions have a lot of variables to count in, and it is not the one to be gamed easily. The ECs section get really subjective and can be hard to gauge. I had say to work on your essays and the SATs.</p>
<p>I thought that post made it clear, but just in case, the ECs that are important and worth mentioning are the ones that represent your best. That matter to you the most.</p>
<p>As for the entire application, I think I posted somewhere in the Indian thread about keeping a balance between selling yourself and honesty. Where the latter should always trump the former.</p>
<p>Anything Else? I’ve suddenly become a huge fan of applying early.</p>
<p>I agree with most of what Mrinal said.</p>
<p>Would they look at private spelling bees? That’s a good question. No one except an admission officer would be able to tell you definitively be able to tell you that. However, common sense tells me that if that is how you want to exhibit yourself, go ahead and do it by all means. I think all this goes back and ties to my first post in this thread. Colleges aren’t looking for a set/defined standard of students. Of course, averages do argue against this. Just keep in mind the bold statement in the quote.</p>
<p>Hmmm. </p>
<p>Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>I’ll reply if I have anymore doubts. :)</p>
<p>Tizil, You mentioned selling yourself in your application, mind elaborating on that one??</p>
<p>[What</a> are Colleges Looking for in an Applicant?](<a href=“http://collegeapps.about.com/b/2009/10/23/what-are-colleges-looking-for-in-an-applicant.htm]What”>http://collegeapps.about.com/b/2009/10/23/what-are-colleges-looking-for-in-an-applicant.htm)</p>
<p>Strong academic record (your GPA) is the foremost important thing. For the top colleges, obviously everyone has the GPA to begin with. So colleges are looking for - how YOU can cpntribute to that intellectual vitality and what YOU are bringing to the campus. I know the buzzword is “passion” but they want to basically see that you have excelled at something while being well rounded. (I heard the jargon - well rounded with an edge). So what is your edge? It could be science fair, sports,music, other leadership, commitment to volunteerism, writing a book, maintaining a blog, whatever…</p>
<p>The “edge” factor obviously gets further diminished for mid to lower tier colleges (not top 20). For international students, SAT and SAT subject scores matter a lot, more than local applicants. That is the only way, they know you are on par with the rest of the gang. IB/AP curriculum helps also.</p>
<p>By the way, one can go crazy thinking about ECs, but if you are targetting non-ivy, you should be more concerned with your GPA/SAT…I think Purdue/georgia tech/uiuc/usc (and also UCs to some extent) are pretty numbers driven.</p>
<p>I had posted this link before …here it is again for the competitive schools (hypmsc/ivy) [What</a> To Do In High School | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/highschool]What”>What to do in high school | MIT Admissions)
[Applying</a> Sideways | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways]Applying”>Applying Sideways | MIT Admissions)</p>
<p>Private spelling bees do count, as long as they are professionally established. If you have gone past part of the three tier saga (regional, state/province/national, international), then this organization is worth writing about. Don’t try to show your exuberance for it if you’ve only gone through regional and/or provincial levels. They are not as impressive for an international when applying to top schools. Actually, provincial might be great to put down depending on which state you are from. </p>
<p>What not to put on apps:
<p>If I think about anymore that irritate me/ make me question the integrity of the student I’ll come back and post my responses.</p>
<p>@fall2016parent -</p>
<p>That’s a really good link and some great info. Thanks!!</p>
<p>@liveulife -</p>
<p>Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>Now, I participated in the MARRS Spelling Bee ( it’s the first result on googling MARRS - [MaRRS</a> Intellectual Services(P) Ltd](<a href=“http://www.marrsspellingbee.com%5DMaRRS”>http://www.marrsspellingbee.com)). I was in the top five in 3 levels - School, District, State and in the top 10 in the national level. I got into the internationals [but I skipped that event since it was in Delhi, and during my 9th grade finals. - i chose better grades(no retest was available) over an international win - maybe worth it? 
]
Anyway, does this deserve a better rank on my achievements list?</p>
<p>Also, I’ve been learning Karate for 10yrs now, and I have a black belt.
Is that worth a better spot in my list, though I haven’t participated in, and therefore haven’t won any, competitions?</p>
<p>With respect to leadership, I was a vice-captain & captain in student gov. for 2 yrs.; and, I am/was the leader for 95% group activities in my grade. Does this show leadership that’s relevant?</p>
<p>It’s your opinion, i know, but i’d like it anyways. :)</p>
<p>Also, I’ve asked this Q before to come other CCers. here it goes:
Are LORs from 2 teachers who taught me in 9th and 10th grade, but have known me personally (at school, due to activities participation and moderate popularity) BETTER, than LORs from 11 and 12th grade teachers who have known me only for a year, and in an impersonal way? [The PU school I go to changes teachers every year, so none of the teachers care to make student-teacher bonds.]</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Maybe these links will help answer your queries better… I am quoting some of the info from the following.</p>
<p>[How</a> to Ask the Right Teacher to Write Your College Recommendation](<a href=“http://www.shmoop.com/college/how-ask-teacher-recommendation.html]How”>College 101: Who to Ask, When to Ask, and How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter)</p>
<p>‘’ When did they teach you?
You’ve probably changed a little bit since freshman year. And college admission officers expect that. How well you did in a 9th grade class doesn’t necessarily say a whole lot about how well you’ll do as a college frosh. So it’s best to pick a teacher who taught you in 11th grade. Why? Because you haven’t been with your 12th grade teachers for very long yet, and 10th grade is already pretty far in the past. So 11th grade really hits the sweet spot. That said, if the same teacher taught you during two years in school (say, 10th and 12th grades), that teacher could be a great alternative option.</p>
<p>What subject did they teach you?
Overall, it’s best to pick a teacher who taught you in a core academic subject. You know: math, science, English, social studies. Admission officers are using the evaluation to get a sense of how well you do in school in general, and these subjects tend to be viewed as the most “rigorous.” If you are allowed more than one teacher evaluation, then you might consider your brilliant chorus teacher or your awesome track coach.‘’</p>
<p>[Six</a> Tips For Getting Great Letters of Recommendation For College | Great College Advice](<a href=“http://greatcollegeadvice.com/six-tips-for-getting-great-letters-of-recommendation-for-college/]Six”>College Admissions Counseling | Great College Advice)</p>
<p>''Decide Which Teachers Should Write your LORs</p>
<p>A good LOR tells a good story about the applicant. The story reflects the strengths—and perhaps a few weaknesses—of the candidate. A good letter contains some details, some examples, some bits of information that bring the candidate to life for the reader. And a good letter might also provide information about the student’s intellectual growth and development over time. Therefore you need to choose a teacher who knows you well to write your letter.
You also need to make sure that you choose at least one teacher in a core academic discipline. You are applying to college, not to a resort or a team or to a service club. Admissions officers want to know about your performance in and contributions to the classroom. If you like, you can add a second or third LOR from a band director, a coach, or the head of your youth group. These letters can help round you out as a person. But at least one LOR should be from an English, math, social studies, science, or foreign language teacher.
Finally, don’t assume that you should choose the teacher in whose class you are performing the best. Nor should it necessarily be the teacher of your favorite subject. As noted earlier, you need to identify the teacher who knows your work, who can tell some good stories, and who can highlight your positive personal qualities.‘’</p>
<p>Thanks! I’ll read through and get back to you. :)</p>
<p>The good news is that adcoms know students in India do not always have the same EC opps that US kids usually have. At some Indian schools, it’s nearly impossible to get off-campus experience. </p>
<p>The idea is to show leadership and that you’ve taken on legit responsibilities. Rather than just looking at wins or the stu govt title, try to find ways you have shown (and can describe) actual leadership. For some, that’s head boy, some school interface committee, sports capt, any way you did initiate vol work- either during school or, if you board, while home. Just karate may not be enough, but if you had, say, started a program for local youth- see how that adds a shine? (Even if it’s short term.)</p>
<p>Besides what you listed so far, what did you omit? School plays, chorus, music, etc? In general, a cs blog doesn’t count the same as actual experience- and unless you have a substantial following that includes and serves adults.</p>
<p>You really need LoRs that focus on your academic-related strengths, foremost, with personal qualities being the icing on the cake. Since the final two years are tougher academic work, LoRs from those teachers can carry more natural weight. Your GC or HM LoR may be key because you will have been observed longer than by teachers who change. (Many of them will write long, comprehensive letters. You can ask how yours handles this.) Even so, even a 1-year teacher can do a good job; lots of US kids get letters from teachers they only had in one class.</p>
<p>@lookingahead -</p>
<p>Thanks, makes alot of sense. I’ll think it out. :)</p>