<p>I'm applying as an international student. I plan to spend my junior year of study in the states.
From the University of Hong Kong. Over 10000 applicants in China applied to HKU and they admitted 300 of them.
SAT: expect above 2100. I will take the test on 24th Jan.
GPA of the preparatory year is 3.9 at a highly competitive school in the mainland China(many graduates from that school go to MIT, Caltech and Yale for graduate study.But I'm not sure undergraduate AO know this university since its in China. The academic program at HKU is 3-year and we have to spend a 'preparatory year' in one of the best institutions in China). Those classes are basically mathematical analysis,general physics botany, zoology chemistry,writing,German CS classes.
However, my 3.3 gpa in the first semester at HKU looks horrible. I got an C in organic chemistry. only A+ in biochemistry and A in physics and A in an English academic writing course.
The grading system in our school:A:4.0
A- :3.7
B+:3.3
B:3.0
B-:2.7<br>
C:2.0
They officially call gpa in the C range 'satisfactory' but I really can't agree when I see so many 4.0s in this website...The average should be C in our university.
To what extent do you think my poor 3.3 gpa will hurt my chances of transferring to Cornell,Penn CAS
Duke Uchicago WUSTL ? If I don't have a shot at some of the schools in my list then I don't bother to apply. Can you give me more advice as to ameliorate the harm this low gpa does?
I spent most of my time reading advanced textbook like 'introduction to mechanics (Kolenkow)' because I think the course is just too easy...But the results of other courses turn out to be this bad...
Thank you in advance!</p>
<p>well are you applying for full time residence at a school or are you applying for a semester abroad type of program? do you guys have such programs? are you only applying to spend your junior year in the states then go back to china for your senior year?</p>
<p>putting all of this aside, assuming you are applying for normal standing, a 3.3 for all the schools you listed is not going to cut it, unless one of the schools is desperate for international students...however it looks like you just completed your first semester as a freshman? if this is the case and you intend to apply for junior standing, the good news is you have 2 semesters to improve your gpa...if you want to be competitive for the schools that you listed, improving your 3.3 is probably the best way to ameliorate your gpa...try to get as close to a 4.0 as possible...if you manage to do so, colleges may be willing to overlook the C that you received freshman year... make sure that you have really solid ec's as well</p>
<p>gl</p>
<p>To:dufflebagjesus</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your reply. I'm applying for the normal standing.
According to your judgement, do you think the grading system in our university is somewhat more stringent than some of those adopted by us colleges?(That's what our professor told us--||)
So my chance is slim....
I'm a freshman at HKU but in fact a sophomore in the 4-year educational system.The preparatory year for us is basically the freshman year for students in a 4-year system.
Don't you think my 3.9/4 GPA in the prep year will somewhat 'cushion' the shock brought by a 3.3 gpa at HKU?
My ecs:
HC:
National Maths Olympiad first prize, National Biology Contest for High School Students 2nd prize
Established a 'Biology Society' and organized numerous lectures and experiments and set up a 'cape of Biology' in the library of my school
National Music Examination Piano Grade 10(top)
I
College:
in the prep year: Established 'biology discussion group'
Choir member at HKU
Teach small children mandarin </p>
<p>Thank you again.
I'm here begging for more answer.</p>
<p>To:dufflebagjesus</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your reply. I'm applying for the normal standing.
According to your judgement, do you think the grading system in our university is somewhat more stringent than some of those adopted by us colleges?(That's what our professor told us--||)
So my chance is slim....
I'm a freshman at HKU but in fact a sophomore in the 4-year educational system.The preparatory year for us is basically the freshman year for students in a 4-year system.
Don't you think my 3.9/4 GPA in the prep year will somewhat 'cushion' the 'visual shock' brought by a 3.3 gpa at HKU?
My ecs:
HC:
National Maths Olympiad first prize, National Biology Contest for High School Students 2nd prize
Established a 'Biology Society' and organized numerous lectures and experiments and set up a 'cape of Biology' in the library of my school
National Music Examination Piano Grade 10(top)
Biology tutor</p>
<p>College:
in the prep year: Established 'biology discussion group'
Choir member and piano accompanist at HKU
Mandarin tutor(part time job)</p>
<p>Thank you again.
I'm here begging for more answer.</p>
<p>the grading system is not harsh at all, in fact it is a bit more forgiving than my old schools</p>
<p>for colleges like yale and upenn, a 3.9 is expected and should not be looked at as a cushion or something that is going to help your chances. anything much less than that however and your chances will (are) going to be hurt...a 3.3 is just not going to cut it for the schools that you listed...maybe if you put in another year of 4.0 work you could have a shot at many of those schools</p>