How can I have an actual chance (please enter)

So I just finished freshman year and i know it is probably very early but i would like to know how i can improve in order to have a chance to enter an ivy or uc.
DISCLAIMER: The main problem is that im greek and that in my country we have a much different system. Thus there are no AP or IB or i dont know what classes in to which everyone is paying much attenition and that because we have the exact same classmates for every sybject and all subjects are compulsory (no chance to choose classes except for choosing between Art Music Theatre in sophomore year). We get the chance to choose subjects in junior and senior year, when again we do all the subjects we just have to choose a “direction” (the exact translation from greek). The one direction is about Math Science Chemistry Biology and the other is about Literacture History Ancient Greek etc. All students do all subjects (from both directions plus art, pe, computers etc) but they take different classes for their direction’s subjects to study them more in depth and finally give exams for four subjects in the Panhellenic exams. I dont know if this could be considered as AP classes though. I dont even know what exactly AP classes are (if someone can explain).
Anyway after all those explanations im finally getting to my resume

School: Model Highschool of Evangeliki in Smyrni
School type: public but model
Location: Athens, Nea Smyrni
Ethnicity: Greek
Gender: Female
Prospective Major: not sure but i think Architecture/Engineering or Math (class of 2020)
Class rank: My school doesnt rank but from what i know about top 7%
GPA freshman year: Again we have a different system (we are voted out of 20) so i tried to convert it
Greek gpa: 19.6/20
US gpa: uw 3,96/4 and I dont know exactly what weighted is but if its the thing with + or - 0.33 then its 4,17/4 (if its not that then please explain what a weighted gpa is)
My gpa has always been more or less the same so unless something extraordinary happens my senior years gpa will be like this one

note: there are very few model highschools in my country so my school is one of the best nationally. For anyone who doesnt know what a model highschool is, its a school, that you give exams to be admitted before 7th grade so its very competitive and selective. Its a small school with about 450 students (7th class-Seniors) and my year (year of 2002) has 78 students

SAT and ACT scores: I havent taken them yet but im willing to take them as many times as i need to score a 1200 and 34 at least (im sure i can make it)

ECs
-Speaker of 3 languages: Greek (native speaker-excellent), English (i can speak very well and im still learning so by the time i get to go to college i will be fluent. Plus i dont know if this counts but i have the C2 certificate) and German (average- i have the B2 certificate and i can speak about most things)
-11 years of ballet (took part in 11 shows)
-9 years of other dances including contemporary, modern and greek traditional (9 shows)
-2 years drawing lessons
-1 year swimming
-have taken part in 7 school plays
-helped create the botanical garden of my school
-helped host the art gallery of my school
-have taken part in several art actions with my school
-joined math club for three years
-joined psychology club for a year
-joined creative writing club for a year
-i was voted by the students of my school to represent them among with 14 other students for two years in a row (15-member counsil of the student body)
-i was voted by my classmates for the 5-member class counsil for a year
-ECDL expert certificate

Honors:
-have taken part in national math competitions with 4/6 success
-first place in the international Purple Comet Math Meet contest (with the math team of my school) in 2016
-second place in the international Purple Comet Math Meet contest (with the math team of my school) in 2017
-first place in the exams to enter my school (1/ about 700)
-first place in a swimming contest
-have received 3 honors awards from my school (award that all students with very good gpas get) and 1 award for being first in my class for a year

Interesting note: I have visited CERN during my school’s trip to Switzerland

!IMPORTANT! About the future: As i’ve said my gpa’s will remain the same if not get better. Im planning to join math club for 2-3 more years and also 1-2 more clubs. I will also probably be voted again for both counsils once or twice during the following years. I will for sure keep taking part in math contests and maybe i will try Science contest and Scratch programming contest next year too. Another thing i will do for sure is apply for a scholarship to a summer school by the Greek-American Instituition next summer, and I think i will be accepted. I’m young to have taken an internship but maybe ill take a shot for a summer job in the future. I’m planning on getting 3 more honors awards and i am going to try for the best student in class award too. Moreover i will take graphic and linear classes for two years if i decide to apply for Architecture. Finally i have looked up some art contests and i think i will take part in some ofthem during sophomore year, when the school programm will not be overwhelming. Unfortunately, i dont plan on keep taking dancing lessons (perhaps for a year more)

Note that the essays from my teachers will be very well written and that i can write greatly if i try i just dont have an impressive past (anything traymatic or something)

I know I’ve talked too much but i needed to explain some things and i hope that someone has come to that point. If youre kind enough, please explain me those things that i’ve asked and also answer some (or all) of the questions below:
Will being greek be a pro or a con or it doesnt matter?
Are my EC descent?
Are my future plans going to lead me somewhere?
What do you think I should include more in my resume and what steps should i take in the following years?
I know its too early, but do i have a chance to get in one of my dream schools?

Thanks a lot for reading this whole book and i would really appreciate any kind of answer! It would mean a lot and help me infinately if you could give me some piece of advice!

Okay, so I`m going to try to answer all your questions here!

AP exams are American exams. Basically, when in high school, one of the highest level classes a student can take in high school is (if offered at their school) an AP. AP stands for Advanced Placement, its basically a college level class but in high school. Now this explains what an AP class is.

Now on to the AP test. At the end of an AP class, students can CHOOSE to take these national exams. Their scores reflect how “ready” the student might be for college level classes. Ivies usually dont offer college credit for these classes, but they like seeing high scores and lots of AP classes because it means the student can succeed academically at a high level. However, since this test is not mandatory, students can also choose to take these exams without taking the class. They can self study if they so choose. (However, this isnt to say that some schools dont make all their student take the exams instead of end of year exams but for your questions purposes you really dont need to worry about that/)

This is unlike the system in Greece where you have to choose a direction and then you HAVE to take the exams. Now, admissions officers KNOW these things about your school system! The best way to show you should be admitted is by performing at the HIGHEST possible level in ALL of your classes and scoring as high as possible on those Pan-Hellenistic exams. Those are a national exam, and, as a result, will be looked at very closely.

So basically, take as many and as difficult level classes as you can while still doing the best you can and getting top scores on your exams.

Now, academically, that`s what you need to do. You have a lot of extra curricular and while that is GOOD, you need to show LEADERSHIP and commitment. You need to be as involved in your community as possible. You have some awards, but make sure they show a passion for something. What do you want to major in? What subjects do you love? Make sure your extra-curriculars show that.

That being said, make sure you have enough money to pay for college as well! Most Ivies have policies (you gotta double check this) that give to international students as well as domestic but, still, college is expensive in America and millions of Americans are suffering with debt because of their college educations.

Being Greek, you will be an international applicant. That means your competition is with the international pool of applicants. So its hard to say from year to year if it will lean in your favor or not. Being Greek is technically a “pro” because colleges like the Ivies pride themselves on diversity. However, being international, remember that you will be competing against the best of the best to get into these programs.

Hope I helped!

Thanks a lot for all your answers they were really helpful! The only problem is that I will take the panhellenics at the end of senior year (i cant do otherwise) so i wont be able to include them in my resume. Do you know when I should apply ED?

Oh, my bad. In that case just do your best in school. The admissions officers understand that the grading and schooling system is different there than it is here. As far as ED or EA, you have to check the colleges websites. You apply the fall of your senior year, typically by Nov 1st (never seen one for before then.) Still, I would aim for a few days before that deadline, and, once again, double check the dates particularly because you are applying Internationally.

Thank you!

I think you have a great chance! Like liveforbooks said, admissions officers know that your school system in Greece is different than school systems in the US, and therefore will evaluate you accordingly. If anything, I would make sure you have some good leadership positions!

Thanks a lot!

Your ECs is spectacular, showing commitment and a talent in ballet. Can’t wait to see your scores on SAT/ACT. If they’re as solid as your ECs, I’d say you’re good to go!

Should take on some activity that shows leadership though, for Ivies school.

Thank you very much!

If you get you’re ACT or SAT to the 33/34 or 1500 range, you could definitely have a really good shot at the Ivies with all your ECs.

Thank you very much! Also i meant 1500 on SAT not 1200 i just saw i dont know why i wrote 1200

Doing well on your tests will catapult you into a very good school. Practice hard and you will get there! I wish you the best. I suggest khan academy.com

Thanks a lot!

Being Greek is both a pro and a con.

When applying to small elite colleges, there are a limited number of spaces for international students and the competition is very tough. Large universities accept more internationals and charge them international tuition rates as a source of extra funding,

If you have money and apply to a wide variety of schools, there is no reason you can’t go to school in the USA. If you need funding from your college, the list of schools offering generous aid to internationals is small and you will have to search carefully.

Truth is that i need some financial aid from my college, so youre right i have to search a lot. Thanks for the advice!

Keep performing well in your classes, and get a solid standardized test score. Make sure to emphasize your passion of dancing/ballet, as it will make you stand out from other applicants. Often times, having one uncommon hobby can aid your chances to be admitted. As for your testing score, a 34 on the ACT would great! However, if you are able to achieve that score, I would expect your SAT score to be in the range of 1450. So, if you end up getting a 34 and 1200, use the 34! Anyways, good luck!

You definitely have a chance, just keep your grades as high as possible and do well on the standardized testing

Thanks and i wanted to write 1500 but typed 2 accidentally

Thank you!

I don’t know much (if anything) about international applications, but all your stats seem very impressive and I cannot think of a single reason why you would not have a chance at the schools you’re interested in.