I happened to find this forum via Internet and I am new here.
I’m turning a sophomore majoring in Chinese Literature in Taiwan, East Asia. After a year of college study, I found myself perfectly suitable for doing research and I really have passion on fields like East Asia studies, history and literature (which I find myself good at). I have strong determination to devote myself to such fields and study for a PhD degree later on.
My academic performance far outweighs my peers in my college (which ranks 230+ worldwide). And there are some discriminating policies towards students from China (I cannot work as an RA, choose my minor, double major, or publish my papers because of my nationality. I fought against these ridiculous policies, but failed) . That is why I decide to quit my current college and transfer to the USA to continue my college years as a junior student.
I have a 4.0 GPA (rank first in my department) and many professors are impressed by me. I’ve done well with my projects and assignments and I truly immersed myself in them. Whereas other students attending sports teams and clubs, I stuck myself to three extracurricular reading seminars during my freshman year and that was what my happiness came from). And during this fall semester, I am preparing to initiate a reading seminar myself in my department and now everything goes well.
I’ve got a TOEFL ibt score 20 days before, but it is jut 99. I think I didn’t perform well. And I’m going to try it another time next Saturday. I have confidence in scoring above 105.
I do not want to study for SAT due to the tight schedule.
I’m planning to apply for five UC universities whose deadlines are on Nov. 30th this year. I want to major in East Asian studies or some majors like that. I will also apply for other universities whose deadlines are February or March the coming year. My highest goal is Cornell University.
And here is problem. I really have no ideas about American universities (I’ve never travelled out of East Asia). And I really do not know much about the criteria on personal statement, VC, or recommending letters or so forth. Although I tried to read many articles and search for much information on them via internet. I think I’m still disoriented.
My major is somewhat “weird”, and my current university is not the first rank university in the world. My professors like me and know me well, but they do not have high occupations (most of them are vice professors), nor are they renowned. I also do not know what level of universities should I apply for.
That is why I want to turn to the forum for help. Could anyone please give me some guidance?
Thanks for reading this lengthy article. Sorry for the grammar errors that might be found above, since I just started learning English from senior high school.