<p>After reading the thread about so many talented Indians being rejected, I am simply downcast.... I've always wanted to study in one of the good American universities right from childhood as I am very interested in pursuing a degree that would give me a certain amount of flexibility which is sadly lacking in the Indian institutes. </p>
<p>I am an international RD applicant, with pretty good SAT II scores but not so great SAT I scores... But I have a passion for infrastructure engineering and want to integrate biotechnology with it to really bring about a difference.... I have passionately worked for alternate energy resources, created awareness about the ill effects of over use of non renewable resources... I really spent much of the free time I had during my high school years in this...... But how much does it really matter?</p>
<p>I just want a fair opinion.... I do not want to apply to many colleges, as the admission fee is pretty high... But I am passionate about applying to a few colleges like Stanford, MIT, Caltech, Northwestern and U Cal</p>
<p>SAT 1 - Took in Oct - Math 750, CR -600 and Writing 690(12/12 in essay)</p>
<p>Retook in Dec - Hoping to improve CR by at least 50 points n overall by a 100 points</p>
<p>SAT 2 - Math IIC - 790, Chem and Bio - 740 each...</p>
<p>Courseload - The toughest my school offers - There are no AP or IB courses here in most schools in my country, with the exception of a few international schools....</p>
<p>Math(The highest level my school offers - Through multivariable calculus)
Physics
Chemistry
Biology(Molecular and Ecological)
English</p>
<p>I have also taken special preparatory courses outside of school for training to get into the Indian Institute of Technology, which is the toughest Tech School in India. </p>
<hr>
<p>GPA - My school doesnt provide a 4 point GPA - Its out of 100% and I recieved 93%. Though thats the highest they give.</p>
<p>Awards and Extra curriculars</p>
<p>Best Student, Girl - Academics, Extra curriculars and other activities.</p>
<p>Recipient of Merit Scholarship given by the National Government</p>
<p>Won several debating competitions at school, city, district and national level and have been adjudged Best Speaker quite a few times too.</p>
<p>Participated in the research competition on Ecological Sustainability for school campuses. Was team leader of group which won second place. Presented the paper in the International Green Building Conference, Indian Chapter. </p>
<p>Was chosen to present a paper presentation for the Eco-Petition Awards conducted by Henkel India, Pvt. Ltd.</p>
<p>Was a student delegate for a Parliamentary Committee of Petitions on Adoloscent Education Programme implementation and have actively participated in many awareness programmes. </p>
<p>Merit Scholarship Holder in both Junior and Senior Level Geography Talent Tests</p>
<p>Have been learning an ancient Indian art form for the past 7 years and have completed several stages in it.</p>
<p>Have done a research project on Transgeniticism with help from one of the top bio research centres in India.</p>
<p>Have been learning the piano for around 8 years - Carnatic Music (Indian music style)</p>
<p>Volunteer and Community Service:</p>
<p>Have been deeply involved in tutoring under privileaged students for the past 2-3 years, free of cost, though I have no idea how many hours it works upto.</p>
<p>Leadership Positions:</p>
<p>Have been the class president for my class a couple of years.</p>
<p>Elected to the student council of this academic year with a student preference of 581 in 800 (Only those in the senior year are allowed to contest for the 3 positions)</p>
<p>Intra school Cultural and Event Management Secretary</p>
<p>Editor of The Fourth Estate of my school</p>
<p>Co-editor of the school yearbook last year</p>
<p>Co-editor of the school's Newsletter</p>
<p>I have excellent recommendations from two teachers who have taught me for around 5 years and a really good one from my Visual Arts Instructor. I am sure my essays will turn out pretty well too....</p>
<p>So do I have a chance? I know its pretty tough to say anything... But any opinions are welcome... Thanks.....</p>