I am an international student taking the CBSE curriculum. I’m currently doing my 11th Grade or Junior year. The CGPA system for me is a 10 point grade system and currently my point is not released. However I’m in the top 10 in my grade. I am on the Students council and in the basketball and Volleyball house team. I don’t have a lot of extra curricular activity as eligibility for clubs ends during our Sophomore year. (I was part of the Environment club till then and was the secretary last year).
What other credentials should I focus on to ensure a higher chance of acceptance?
For a higher chance of acceptance I would focus on not applying to Ivy League schools. It’s a fairly low chance for most people but especially for international students from my understanding. You want to have near perfect grades and test scores combined with extraordinary extra curricular activities or something that really makes you unique. I am not an Ivy League caliber student but for US students a strong hook is required for a higher chance of acceptance and for internationals I don’t think you can ever have a high chance unless you were world renowned somehow by 18. If you want to study in America and have the budget to pay I’m sure you’ll have options.
As an important clarification, don’t just “do more” extracurriculars, do more extracurriculars you really care about, and do it because you’re passionate about it, not just to add lines to a resume. Colleges have quickly caught on that if you list involvement in 22 clubs, you’re not REALLY involved in ANY of them. A couple of really in-depth activities that will push you to become a better person shows motivation. A couple others that you tried shows a willingness to go outside your comfort zone and see whats out there. Simply resume building will not only be noticed immediately, but hurt you as well.
Try to self-start and go look for opportunities that aren’t just presented to you. Talk to a teacher or a local business and try to do a unique internship or research that you care about. Especially at smaller, rural colleges like Dartmouth, an engagement in the college and local community shows your leadership and desire to improve yourself AND those around you.
Sorry there’s no specific checklist we can give you. If there was, everyone would do it!