Greek applicant What are my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello guys! I live in Greece and i am thinking of applying for some Universities. I am listing my ‘‘pros’’ below, so you can tell me your opinion. (Im a high school sophomore)

  1. My background is really interesting. My grandfather was a shepherd and went only to primary school. He lived in a village far away from big cities. He had to quit school in order to work and pay for his father medicine. After his father’s death he moved to the capital, Athens and became something like a sheriff. My father was a low to middle class kid who did not have the chance to go to university so he studied at a Technological Institution. and here i am fighting for getting better education and making my family proud
  2. Again, both of my parents did not go to a University and i am the first in the family applying for one.
  3. My recommendations will be great, as both of the teachers that are writing them know me not only as a student.
    4)My major hobby is photography and cinematography. I have won two national film competitions, worked as a part time photographer and did community service and volunteering by helping non profit organisations by taking pictures of events for advertises.
  4. I was Class President and member of the elected Students Council for all 4 high school years representing the student body.
  5. I somehow introduced clubs to my school. (In Greece typically extra curriculars have nothing to do with school) and became leader of the Film Club.
  6. I am a member of an adult Theater team and i am the only teen there. I learnt many things by incorporating with adults in a daily basis.
  7. I have traveled around Europe. (England, Scotland, Poland (auschwitz as winner of the jewish museum film competition), Austria etc.)
  8. I wiil may have the chance to volunteer abroad for my summer.

My school grades.
High school Freshman. 95%- A+ (Honored student)
Sophomore i am not sure yet but i believe ill get at least 90%

Have not taken any SAT exams yet

Universities i am thinking of applying.
Yale
Princeton
UChicago
Cornell
Brown
Harvard
Columbia.

Thank you in advance. I would be really glad reading your opinion!

2

It is way too early to think about specific colleges (especially the hyper-competitive ones). You just have one full year’s full GPA and you have no standardized testing. You also need to recognize that HS should be an experience in and of itself – a time of learning and growth and not just a 4 year college application prep experience.

It is good to take school seriously and know that college will be on your horizon, but it is too early to start planning for specific colleges. I would highly recommend that you get off of CC until your junior year.

For now you should focus on:
–Working hard, learning, and doing as well as you can in the most challenging curriculum you can manage.
–When the time comes study for standardized tests.
–Continue your involvement in activities you care about and work towards making meaningful contributions to those activities.
–Enjoying spending time with your family and friends.

When the time comes asses your academic stats (including GPA, standardized tests, course rigor) as well as your financial needs and apply to a wide range of reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable (you will have to run a net price calculator for each school you consider) and that you would be happy to attend. You need to expand your horizons and recognize that there are many wonderful schools out there where you can have a great 4 year experience and get where you want to go in life.

And FWIW the schools you listed are fiercely competitive in terms of admissions (under 10% admit rates) and don’t have enough space to take all of the exceedingly well qualified applicants.