Hi. I’m an international student from the UK. My academic record since year 11 (10th grade) is pretty much perfect – all A*s/As at GCSE and predicted the same at A level. Haven’t taken SAT yet.
I started a technology publication website and ran it for 4 years. It was quite successful and I was paid to write sponsored editorials for the likes of Samsung, Airbus and Volvo. I have played the violin for 10 years, played in numerous orchestras at school and alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (one of the best orchestras in the UK). I’ve completed Bronze and Silver DofE, and will be doing Gold. I also help run my school’s linguistic society and Japanese club.
I’m quite keen on languages too. I self-taught myself Japanese to GCSE in 1 1/2 years (usually achieved after 5 years with a teacher), came 2nd in a national speech competition in Japanese and am preparing for the A level which is also mainly self taught with little contact with teachers. I’m also doing a lot of Japanese learning outside of the syllabus. I also speak German, Italian, Portuguese and in my free time am teaching myself Swedish, Norwegian and recently started Russian and Korean.
I’m taking a gap year after graduating so I can do more to strengthen my application. As it currently stands, would I actually stand a chance if I applied to the main ivies? Thanks
The main ivies??? SMH. 8-|
Putting that aside, it is absolutely, positively, impossible to tell what your chances are until you’re completed your standardized testing. Even then, the answer will be “High Reach.” Ivy League schools are a crapshoot for everyone; even more so for internationals.
Your grades are greats, the website and music are great EC’s. The language learning is great for your personal knowledge, but probably won’t move the needle in the admissions process, IMO. Good luck.
Your record is very competitive. If you get an SAT score above 2100 (2200 preferably since English is your native language) or an ACT score above 32 (33-34) plus decent SAT Subjects (in languages, it should be easy- but be careful, not all languages are offered each session), your odds are on par with American applicants, that is, about 1 in 20 to 1 in 30 depending on whether you apply REA/SCEA or not.
Certainly, apply to US elite universities. Just recognize that as outstanding as your credentials are, you will be competing against thousands of other students with equally impressive credentials. Some US universities turn away 9 perfectly qualified applicants for every one that they accept.
My suggestion would be to look also at some of the great universities beyond the ivies. Kofi Annan went to Macalester, an exceptional LAC, for example. You can get an outstanding education at any of the top 100 schools in the US.