HMS/Ivy Chances as an International Applicant

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello, and thank you for reading. I've posted here before, but since my SAT scores have come out, I'm posting again. Thank you for reading my post, and I hope you can help me understand my chances.</p>

<p>I'm currently living outside the US, and I plan to study in a American university from September 2008. My senior year (grade 12) started last April, since I live in place with different educational systems. I really want to study in a American university, such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT or Ivys.
I am Asian, and I go to a well known national high school in my country.</p>

<p>My Stats:
GPA - 3.88 / 4 (Since I live outside the US, I don't know if this number is correct. I took an average of all my grades, and then multiplied it by 4/5. Look below.)
SAT - 2240 (Math 800, Critical Reading 650, Writing 790) <june 2007="">
TOEFL(cbt) - 278/300</june></p>

<p>Classes I have taken (our grades are 1 to 5, 5 being the best):
GRADE 10
Japanese - 5
World History A - 5
Geography A - 5
Mathematics I - 5
Mathematics A - 5
Overall Science A - 5
Biology - 5
Art - 5
English I - 5
English Oral Communication - 5
Information Technology - 5
P.E. - 4</p>

<p>GRADE 11 (for the first semester)
Japanese - 5
Japanese Classics - 5
Jaoanese History - 5
Mathematics II - 5
Mathematics B - 5
Art - 5
English II - 5
English Writing - 5
Home Economics - 5
P.E. - 4</p>

<p>GRADE 12 (classes I plan to take)
Japanese
Japanese Classics
Economics
English Reading
English Writing
Earth Science
Home Economics
P.E.</p>

<p>EC's:
-Last summer I published a book for JavaScript beginners, and is sold at major book stores in Japan. I don't know (currently) how many books have been sold, but my publisher has decided my writing another book this year. I've learned how hard it is to work constantly for something, and I truly feel that hard work is rewarding.
-I've been in the rowing club since the beginning of my high school career, and we have practice 4 times a week. We were 6th place at the Kanto Area (=an area that includes 6 prefectures) atheletic meet.
-I was selected as a represetative in my school for the 1st Asian Young Leaders Summit (which was held in Singapore). I have learned the importance of diversity in a community (or school - one of the reasons why I want to study in the US).</p>

<p>I want to study Economics in the future, so if there are any schools that I can "reach" that have a good reputation for Economics, please let me know.
I understand that since I'm an international applicant, is very hard to figure out my chances, but if anybody has some information, please reply. I am seriously looking forward to studying in the US. </p>

<p>So, as an international applicant, do I have any chances of getting in to Stanford (my best choice), Harvard and the Ivy leagues; or should I reconsider my plans? Again, thank you for reading.</p>

<p>Also, as I have stated above, my SAT score is 2240. This is (currently) my first and only SAT score. I'm very satisfied with my score, but are there any reasons why I should take the SATI again, even if I am satisfied with my scores? (I once heard a rumor that only 1 SAT score isn't good because it looks like I got that score by luck)</p>

2

<p>You have a chance, but you should also have some other schools to apply to that offer a much better chance of admission. No one really has better than a 10% chance at Harvard. Stanford is only slightly better. Internationals have a lesser shot usually. You are competitive, but so are most of the 20,000+ applicants for 1680 seats at Harvard and about that at Stanford.</p>

3

<p>Your curriculum is really unusual; very lightweight in science. No Chemistry or Physics. I think the lack might hurt you.</p>

4

<p>greennblue: Sorry I forgot to write about Chemistry and Physics. I took both of them in grade 12, and both were a grade of 5 (out of 5). My schools emphasizes studying all areas of science, so I've covered Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences in the 3 years.</p>

5

<p>One SAT score is fine, and a 2240 is competitive enough for ivy. you probably shouldn't retake</p>

6

<p>Thank you everyone for your kind response. From the comments I have received, I understand that I have "a chance". Yet, I know I need to work hard to expand my chances, and currently, I'm worried about my lack of Extra Curiccular acitivites. I live in a country where there are no traditions of "volunteering" or "working during the summer", and I'm having a hard time looking for things to do.
Am I too worried, or should I seriously start looking for a job etc.?</p>

7

<p>Postscript - I guess its hard to chance me when I'm an international student. If I were an US students, would anyone have an opinion on my chances?</p>

8

<p>doesn't matter if you are international or not. HYP don't care and treat you as if you are a domestic.</p>

<p>for top schools, i see: good grades (although how the heck do you always get 4s in P.E.?? do you have to run 5 minute miles to get 5s??). mediocre SAT. mediocre ECs--you don't seem to do anything outside of school with the exception of that javascript book. how impressive exactly is it? how many approximately are sold? 5? 20? a million? give us a rough estimate</p>

<p>reject by HYPSM. reject by the other ivies IF you are asking for financial aid. accept by the other ivies if you are NOT asking for financial aid.</p>

<p>in general, you need to aim lower</p>

9

<p>Firefox, what makes you the expert?? "Mediocre SATs"? Give me a break. This person got a 790 in writing and English isn't even his/her first language.</p>

10

<p>Okay, so as firefox says, my SAT scores aren't the best scores around, and I realize that. But, as the majority of the prople around me, and the people in this thread has told me, I don't intend on taking SATI again.
As for my EC's, its very poor compared to the majority of people applying for HYM etc. I agree; I don't do much outside of school (mainly because there is no tradition of doing volunteer work outside of school in my country, and becasue the time I've spend in the rowing club is enourmous) Right now, maybe this is my biggest problem---maybe i'll start looking for a summer volunteer of something.</p>

<p>P.S. Other EC'S
-Student Coucil for 5 consecutive years (I've been doing student council since Middle school. I've spent a considerable amount of time in it, and I've brought about numerous changes to my school through it.)
-Member of several school comittees, including the Library comittee and the comittee for making a new membership fee system for the student student council body (which I proposed to build).
-My book has sold about 1500 copies; and my publisher has allowed me to write a different book this year.
-Class representitve for the preparation of the annual school festival.</p>

11

<p>I personally think that you'll do fine. Writing a book for circulation is...unique to say the least. If you express your passion in your essays, I'd say you have a chance. Really, everyone has pretty abysmal chances at those schools; sometimes it's really up to luck. You also have some pretty good english for an english as a second language student. Also I believe SAT's are pretty much to weed out people (dont beat me over the head about this). I'd say that your score passes the mark for them to at least look at your application, rather than simply toss out your application because your SAT's are too low.</p>