(Hopefully) Final Chance me

<p>Now that college applications are at the door, and I have my SATs, I'd like to have an idea of where I stand.</p>

<p>I was born in NYC, but I'm a resident of Texas. Right now, I am an IB student at a school in Morocco. First generation college student (first-gen high school student for that matter).</p>

<p>My IB courses are IB French ab initio, English SL, Econ HL, Chem HL, Physics HL, and Math HL. Predicted score, aside from TOK is 38-39</p>

<p>My average grade throughout high school has been a 6 (we do 1-7 for trimester grades). A 6 equates to an A. The last two years have been better (no 5s since sophomore year). </p>

<p>I've taken the SAT three times:
Jan: 640CR, 760M, 690W (2090)
May: 630CR, 780M, 680W (2090)
Oct: 750CR, 740M, 710W (2200)
Superscore is 2240, 750CR+780M+710W</p>

<p>SAT IIs are 800 physics, 760 chem, 730 math iic</p>

<p>ECs
I have done a lot of unofficial stuff, in that I've continued to self-practice karate after I moved, acted as an informal tech advisor to some teachers, and do a lot of uncoordinated tutoring, even in some subjects I don't take. The formal things are:
-NHS, 12th grade (we just opened a chapter). I currently don't know if I am an officer, but I did give the induction speech
-Debate, cofounder/copres, 11-12. We have had one tournament, in which our team got to the semis, and I was best speaker in all debates, including the one we lost. Also was an impromptu finalist.
-Amis des Ecoles, a group where we help students in the mountains. The group is too small for us to have officer positions, and we all do our thing
-Yearbook, 11. I did it for a year, but changes in the structure made it so that none of us could do it anymore.
-People to People, 10. I did it for a year, but I left in 11th since the group lost its soul and became a bunch of people searching for CAS hours
-Chess club, cofounder/copres, 11-12. It never got off the ground, though, and it's just us playing chess with our teacher after school
-PTA event helper, 11. I helped organize events such as the haunted house and winter wonderland bazaar for the PTA</p>

<p>Work experience:
-Employee of IBA LLC., a freight company. I handle things related to data input and management, and play a role in discrepancy tracking. </p>

<p>Awards:
RPI medal
UT Honors Colloquium participant
NHS inductee
School awards for grades and enthusiasm
I think I'm getting employee of the quarter at my job
For recs, I got one from my econ and physics teachers. My college counselor said that they're both strong.</p>

<p>For my counselor rec, she'll mention a few things as that I'm one of the top students, enthusiastic, dynamic, I manage all this even though I live in a hotel without my parents, etc. I've had her as a teacher and I know her well, so I think it'll be strong.</p>

<p>For UPenn, there is a short story, since a representative (in addition to ones from Yale, Columbia, and Stanford) came to present the school to us. I was last in line at the Q&A session, and we were walking out together. I was talking normally, but apparently I stood out to her as interesting. I continued to contact her afterward, so she remembers me</p>

<p>I'm definitely STEM oriented, though I'd like balance (philosophy, econ, anything discussion based and interesting). I'd consider double majoring with Econ/business</p>

<p>My school list is massive, and I gotta narrow it down (help?)
UPenn ED
MIT
Stanford
Harvard
Princeton
UChicago
Yale
Swarthmore
Rice
Wash. U
UMich
UIUC
Northeastern (EA, principal knows admissions officer there)
RPI (medalist)
UT (in state, HC participant)</p>

<p>Unsure about UNC, Harvey Mudd, UCLA, Berkeley, and UVA. </p>

<p>If you have any other ideas, please chance me and give me general advice. If you think there's one I should consider, tell me, but please let me know in what ways I'd prefer it over my already big list. </p>

<p>Thank you so much everyone</p>

<p>Hey man thanks for the chance.</p>

<p>For you it’s a bit difficult for me because international applicants are holistically weighed very differently. Your scores are all in the 45-75 percentile range for most of these schools making you just as competitive as other applicants. The fact you are enrolled in Morocco, have an employer, and have worked with that many leadership positions is impressive.</p>

<p>For your planned double major, UPenn is a good ED for sure, especially considering your networking. UT in state should get you some pretty sizable scholarships if you choose to apply there. I think UTAustin is viewed as the most competitive, then UTDallas and UTSanAntonio following. </p>

<p>If you’re really serious about Economics, you should definitely consider UChicago over Stanford although they are all of high-enough caliber for it to really be a matter of where you feel you “fit” best. UChicago has one of the best Economics programs in the nation, and it’s considered to have an extremely challenging undergraduate CORE program that might be good for you.</p>

<p>UIUC and UMich are strong schools as well, but you’ll be an out-of-state applicant so consider their programs carefully before applying because financial aid won’t be as easy to obtain. UMich tends to be more STEM focused than Econ/Business. UVA would be a good OOS choice though. I’m not sure about Harvey Mudd, UNC, UCLA, or UCB as I haven’t really looked into those schools. I know UCB offers good opportunities to later pursue graduate degrees at higher caliber schools such as Harvard Business School though if that intrigues you.</p>

<p>Good luck man! You’ll be great wherever you end up.</p>