Help: International student

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am an international (Korean) student looking for some advice. What are my chances at the Ivies and some other schools? Please, I need as many opinions as I can get.</p>

<p>Please remember that as an international student, my chances are significantly reduced. (Most colleges' acceptance rate of international students are about 10% of their total acceptances if I am not mistaken.) Not to mention that most Korean students have stellar grades and SAT scores. (This is where being asian is a disadvantage.)</p>

<p>Also, please don't sugar-coat anything - that would only falsely get my hopes up...</p>

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<p>Reach: Harvard (like any asian...), Princeton, MIT, UChicago, UPenn, Stanford, Amherst
Match: UC Berkeley, UCLA, Rice
Safety: NYU, University of Minnesota, University of Texas Austin</p>

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<p>If you could take the time to answer any of these questions, you would instantly be characterized as a kind and awesome person by me. No but seriously, I need help.</p>

2

<p>Let me try to respond to some of your questions. No college will laugh at your insufficient EC’s etc. They will consider what was available and what you did in those conditions. So don’t worry about that. I think domestic candidates with no impressive EC’s would be at a disadvantage maybe, but not internationals. Same for awards.</p>

<p>Your academic record is excellent including your SAT scores. You don’t have to report your Biology score, as even colleges who want all your scores don’t require this for subject tests. </p>

<p>Compelling essays will be decisive in your case. Write in a way that brings out your uniqueness (show don’t tell). Being Asian could be a disadvantage (in this case, Asians are victims of their own success aren’t they?), but an Asian who lived in Israel for 11 years and speaks Hebrew… well I bet they don’t get many of those! Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply! I was getting sad that no one was replying.
Yeah, I didn’t think about how much the Israel-Hebrew part would be an advantage. Would it really be significant?</p>

4

<p>Well, you see when I read your post, I found that point quite unique. If anyone asked me to describe you then, I would say, “a brilliant Asian candidate who lived in Israel for 11 years and speaks Hebrew.” Those were the 2 things that stayed on my mind, that distinguished you from others. Maybe this means something, maybe it doesn’t. </p>

<p>In my humble opinion, I think there is material there to work on. But of course, I don’t know you and I may be wrong.</p>

5

<p>Thanks again onemoreparent.
Would UC Berkeley be a match? safety?
What are my chances for Ivies?</p>

6

<p>I think UC Berkeley would be a match. The Ivies are reaches for everyone but I’m sure they have students like you in their freshman class. So in that sense, yes you have a chance. You have to make them remember you, beyond your stats, and then hope for the best.</p>

7

<p>You’re about as good as you can get, given your lack of EC opportunities. UCB is a high match, since you’re not in-state. Ivy League schools are reaches for everyone, but you’re qualified. A few years ago I was reading about how UPenn takes a large number of asian internationals in the ED round… I’m not sure if it’s true anymore, but if so, it could be your best shot at an Ivy, if you’re truly concerned with that. </p>

<p>Also, I think you could write an interesting essay about being a Korean student who lived in Israel and now lives in Germany… You’re welcome to send it to me for a look once you’ve written it, if you’d like.</p>

8

<p>I’m really glad to hear these responses!
But need more input…</p>

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<p>Anything else I can do to improve my chances?
BTW I’m a prospective math major.</p>