<p>I posted this exact text in a Harvard thread but since this is the most ideal place for "chances" questions I'll copy and paste it in here as well. I'm actually not looking for a "chances verification" only but more likely tips and advice on what to improve/add/strenghten as well as status on current situation:</p>
<p>I'm black (east african) but growed up in Sweden since age 4 (I'm an 87 turning 19 this summer). Applying to US colleges this winter.</p>
<p>SAT I & SAT II's: Not done any yet, going to do the first SAT in April, SAT II's at may or later in the summer. I'll post my stats on this later as they arrive.</p>
<p>In terms of grades there all but excellent. After grade 9 I took a one-year break. Due to lack of determination regarding future career path in my freshman year I didn't do good but later on when I realized what I wanted to be (in grade 2 which I'm in right now till this summer) I started doing some progress.</p>
<p>I got 2 C's (from freshman year) 4 B's (also from fm year) and 8 A's so far. Got 14 courses left and I'm realistically expecting 12 A's and 2 B's. We have a different GPA system here in Sweden. I would land on 18.5 on a scale upto 20.0. Not at all good, very average. I will however be at least in the top 3 in my class (which only consists of 23 students) when it comes to academics.</p>
<p>My strong sides are however my outside activities which I have boosted since last year. I'm now running a media company operating in the out-of-home market (can't develope further). The firms advantage and the business profitability lies in the "know-how" and a fundamental business execution in comparison to other competitors in the industry. Patents on some devices are also under development but will most certainly not take off until end of next year. I'm currently having a crucial meeting with Clear Channel, which if succeeded, would increase the turnover of the company with 1-10 millions of US dollars annually. Well see how it goes within the coming weeks.</p>
<p>Furthermore I have through familiar connections and personal corporate interests in Somalia established a smaller energy company (currently limited to wind/solar power but expanding). In case the Clear Channel deal gets screwed up my plans are to go heavy on this one, since I could easily get in touch with lots of NGO's, UN staff and also get recommendations from top political leaders, maybe even the transitional president. Sure the country is in anarchy right now but because of its geographic position and potential natural resources it is attractive to US aswell as China (who already established embassies and eco-political ties with the transitional government) and Russia. The nearness to Dubai does also increase the business potential. </p>
<p>Well that's all I had. As you can see I got some unfinished business to do...</p>
<p>Any tips, constructive critique and advice would be highly appreciated.</p>
<p>You should definetly get those recommendations from those "top political leaders." Wharton likes good letters from people, but only if they really know you.</p>
<p>Also, it's not clear to me exactly when you plan to apply. Are you a sophomore?</p>
<p>i think jjjjj is just saying that it's really hard to evaluate your chances when you don't list and SAT score. SAT scores are very important for international students. Have you taken the SAT? I'd say your grades are nowhere near IVY material...Your EC's are good but remember, the people appyling to ivy's all have super grades and many have received national/international recognition for their EC's. I say it's a reach but try for sure because schools are always trying to get a good batch of international students and you do sound like you have been involved in activites outside of school that will look great on your resume! Apply to a few safety schools as well. What's your major? Buisness? Make sure you apply to a range of schools, not just tough ones, because it really is a coin dlip. My friend had geat stats, and amazing EC's and only got accepted at one school and got turned down by her safety's ! You never no...it really is luck once you have the basic requirements! Good luck!</p>
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think jjjjj is just saying that it's really hard to evaluate your chances when you don't list and SAT score. SAT scores are very important for international students. Have you taken the SAT? I'd say your grades are nowhere near IVY material...Your EC's are good but remember, the people appyling to ivy's all have super grades and many have received national/international recognition for their EC's. I say it's a reach but try for sure because schools are always trying to get a good batch of international students and you do sound like you have been involved in activites outside of school that will look great on your resume! Apply to a few safety schools as well. What's your major? Buisness? Make sure you apply to a range of schools, not just tough ones, because it really is a coin dlip. My friend had geat stats, and amazing EC's and only got accepted at one school and got turned down by her safety's ! You never no...it really is luck once you have the basic requirements! Good luck!
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<p>Thank you for you're sincere post. I understand it's a bit hard to evaluate without the SAT material, will post it as soon as I do them. I'm also well aware that my grades are outside the milkyway galaxy. What I am basing my admission chances on are that I would probably be an interesting character in the class. Furthermore, the Ivy-league/top schools I listed here are not something my future career is dependant on. I got solid safety schools here in Sweden and will most probably become a dollarmillionaire in a near future. As of this year, I had not yet had any media coverage yet but I could easily fix that too, pending on the outcome of the current deal.
I definitely agree though that my extracurricular activities would be the clincher, if any.</p>
<p>You are definitely a unique type of case, you seem very focused and I can clearly see that you are truely interested in using your college education towards a realistic goal for your business. No matter how your SAT's turn out I would not be surprised if a school like Wharton took you. Best of luck, you should have a decent shot because of your unique background and situation.</p>
<p>The.End - Thank you for you're encouraging reply. As you wrote, my prime goal for going college is to enhance my entrepreneurial skills while also developing some personal thoughts and interests in the business-gov field.</p>
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the Ivy-league/top schools I listed here are not something my future career is dependant on. I got solid safety schools here in Sweden and will most probably become a dollarmillionaire in a near future.
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Heh, you make it sound so easy.</p>
<p>Why are you applying anyways? Why don't you just work and apply there for business school? Undergrad is for those who need a boost into the real world, something you obviously don't need.</p>
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Why are you applying anyways? Why don't you just work and apply there for business school? Undergrad is for those who need a boost into the real world, something you obviously don't need
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<p>Because as posted previously; I want to study more, preferrably on a well-known top-school while also experiencing the american college life. You think it's fun going from a gray corporate boardroom with some 35+ comittees (not mentioning the demanding folks at the banks) to business school and then direct-shuttle to I-banking/other businesses? That would be the universal formula of becoming apenuts :)</p>
<p>I agree that Wharton is a good shot for you. How about Marshall? It's not quite as tough. USC also really likes international students. Also, what about a Canadian school? They are MUCH cheaper and University of Toronto and McGill are great schools. They also accept more international students than the US schools and you'd still be getting a North American college experience. The drinking age in Canada is 18 too (in case you care, lol). But anyways, I'd apply to Wharton and I really think you've got a shot and I know you say you have safety schools back in Sweeden but you should apply to some safety's in america in case you dont get in to the ivy's but decide you still really want to come here. In any case, good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. I'll focus more on Wharton then. Actually, after I have read more on that school, it seems lot more interesting than Harvard.</p>
<p>Damnit, the CC deal went bad, awfully bad. I'm totally tapped out from the ad industry now, for sure. Gives me more time to start the other project. You know people, something good most often comes out of bad things :)</p>