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Student Lounge International Students
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<p>Hi, I am (or will be) doing my A levels in Pakistan. (The junior year starts in September).
Actually it may be too early for asking anyone for my chances, but it is advice that I seek.</p>

<p>I have 2 A s in O’levels at the moment and have given the papers for 8 more subjects. The expected grades were 7 A s and 1 B. however, I myself am expecting not more than 4 A s (and I am a bit pessimistic).
I have read some of the earlier posts and I think that GPA is some sort of grading for schools (I am not sure). But I think I would rank somewhere between 5-15 % in the school.</p>

<p>As of E C s, I don’t have much to offer; a bronze medal in regional athletics tournament and subsequent participation in the inter-regional games…(high jump). I am also part of the class’s Soccer and Handball team (and won the handball tournament in 9th grade, runners-up in the 9th and 10th grade in soccer).</p>

<p>I also like Boxing but haven’t played. (Lack of facilities around).
Also I like to play chess and again haven’t played at the professional level or even school level.</p>

<p>I did a two day “internship” with the British Council in March and as many weeks in an NGO, though I don’t have any certificate or documentation of the latter.</p>

<p>Other interests include animation with Flash and taking apart every piece of electronics or electrical equipment!!!! </p>

<p>I haven’t given the SAT and hope to give it this year and I need help in deciding whens the best part of the year to do so.</p>

<p>Oh, the colleges I ‘d like to apply to: MIT, some of the ivy league colleges, Yale and perhaps a few others…and Caltech</p>

<p>Now, I have a few questions:
1. Firstly, does Caltech have a financial aid program?
2. As I don’t have many E Cs which activities do I indulge in to enhance them…someone wrote that do what interests you the most…the fact is that whatever I do I do with interest, and I want to know which E Cs count the most?
3. When should I take my SAT? Please tell me the best time for each of the SATs and which subject I should do? (I plan to apply for engineering)
4. What are the basic criteria for admission in specific colleges? ( It may be tiresome to write for each of the colleges, but I insist) (please write for MIT, Caltech, Harvard, Cornell, Stanford, Yale, Columbia and any other you deem fit to apply for engineering) pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! What I mean is that how much value to these schools put to say E Cs and of what type.</p>

<p>I do have many other E Cs and award before the 8th grade but I think they are not considered, are they?</p>

<p>And yeah, I read that debating carries much value; I plan to do so as soon as the next session starts.
Need help!!!! Plenty of it!
(thanks)</p>

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<p>have i posted it in the wrong place or is it a boycott against Pakistanis???</p>

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<p>
[quote]
boycott against Pakistanis???

[/quote]

lol...</p>

<p>try <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com&lt;/a> for finding info on individual colleges. click on admissions to get some idea about what each school values more...:: if u didn't already know this that is..:D</p>

<p>u say ur A-levels start in september...now tht means they end in oct/nov 2007. if this is true, u'll miss the fall 2007 admissions! or u could apply for spring 2008, but there are fewer schools that take freshmen in the spring...</p>

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<p>no i'll be applying for fall 2007. the A level session ends in may</p>

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<p>colleges recognize the fact that some people (esp internationals) do not have access to facilities or EC's.. so dont to stress about that too much, IMHO. make sure that your grades and SAT's are rock solid though.</p>

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<p>also contact perrfectdark09, cres, etc. (from lahore, i think) who used to frequent to this board and have got into MIT, SMU, Stanford, etc. They might be able to assist you in for country specific queries</p>

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<p>do these persons write at present, if not can i get their contacts msn etc?</p>

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<p>1. Firstly, does Caltech have a financial aid program?</p>

<p>I don't know but I'm pretty sure it does.</p>

<p>2. As I don’t have many E Cs which activities do I indulge in to enhance them…someone wrote that do what interests you the most…the fact is that whatever I do I do with interest, and I want to know which E Cs count the most?</p>

<p>Any EC with a leadership positions are good. Debating is good i guess but i heard that wrestling is great lol. Also, student government, editor of a school paper, varsity sport teams.</p>

<p>3. When should I take my SAT? Please tell me the best time for each of the SATs and which subject I should do? (I plan to apply for engineering)</p>

<p>SAT II: Maths IIC, Physics. Chem and a language if you must. (language is makes a good impression).
SAT I: Take 2 times - preferbaly straight after your school holidays finish. (so you'll have the holidays to study hard out). Take all SATs before October 2006.</p>

<p>*4. What are the basic criteria for admission in specific colleges? ( It may be tiresome to write for each of the colleges, but I insist) (please write for MIT, Caltech, Harvard, Cornell, Stanford, Yale, Columbia and any other you deem fit to apply for engineering) *</p>

<p>Harvard, Stanford, Yale (MIT, Columbia): LEADERSHIP qualities. A high level of Sports is a plus (this doesn't apply for columbia. they don't care much for sports lol) because they love sports.</p>

<p>Caltech (MIT): Solid grades and fantastic maths/physics grades (A's)- maybe trying out of the International Maths Olympiad?</p>

<p>Columbia, Cornell: You need to be well rounded in everything.</p>

<p>But.. yale...engineering...?</p>

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<p>yo...where you from?
i am from karachi..hit me up.
can help you.
rising sophomore at georgetown.</p>

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<p>i m from karachi but study in Islamabad
i sure do need your help
thanks</p>

11

<p>thanks to u NoFX too
thanks and thanks</p>