Hi. I want to have my chances estimated, and I want advice on what to do. I am from a European country and would like to study at a top engineering school in USA. I am not your typical applicant, as I already have graduated high school (i.e I will be taking a gap year for various reasons) and am not from america. I’m looking to see if getting into somewhere like Caltech or MIT is feasible, and advice on how to move forward/make a good application.
My situation is: Though our school did have guidance counselors, mine was ridiculously incompetent and has provided very little information about American university applications, among other things forcing me to take a gap year (not starting application process in time). I barely know which tests to take and what essays to write, but I assume I have enough time to apply for enrollment in 2016.
Reading about all the impressive-sounding awards on here make me feel a bit disheartened. My country is not as competitive as the US, and there have been far fewer opportunities for me to prove my academic ability. My school gave zero awards or distinctions for academic performance (bar a few vague scholarships), even neglecting to acknowledge my top score in the national biology olympiad.
So, my academic merits:
IB Diploma
Total score: 36 + 6
‘Native language’ Lit SL: 6
English LangLit SL: 5
Philosophy SL: 6
Math HL: 6
Physics HL: 5
Biology HL: 6
Chemistry HL: 6
ToK: C
EE in Philosophy: A
If it counts for anything, this was essentially the most rigorous curriculum available in my city. I don’t know my class rank, but suspect it was rather high. My physics and maybe other subjects may have a higher grade after I request remarking.
Before high school, a few competitions in science and math, local and national, many high placings, most notably making top 15 in the EUSO national competition.
High school: 11th best in national biology olympiad, next year the best with a subsequent high bronze in the IBO.
MENSA membership
At least 99th percentile on my country’s equivalent of the SAT/ACT
ACT: 31 (I can easily improve this)
SAT: none. I do not know which ones to take?
I think I can get two or three teacher recommendations from teachers that I know I impressed and will probably put me in a positive light. I don’t think a counselor’s recommendation is applicable or available in my situation.
In the same vein, many have incredibly impressive ECs. I have never been pushed, by society, school or family, to pursue any ECs (aside from CAS). I don’t have thousands of hours invested in community service, and club life at my school has not been very permitting compared to American high schools.
My ECs, the most substantial and notable ones:
An interest in nature and wildlife, with many hiking trips, living on a farm where I keep bees and other animals, including rabbits and sheep. I also have a hunter’s permit and hunt with my family, which is a big legacy for me. Related is a big interest in rock climbing. I work at the family farm, which also runs a hostel, and with some hardships in getting it off the ground I can demonstrate that I work hard.
I have a passion for writing and reading, with engaging myself in writing communities online and writing short stories and a novel.
Head of math and science club at my high school.
Engaged in a political party’s youth organization.
I’m afraid my application will therefore sound much less impressive because of my environment and factors out of my control. Forgive me if I sound like a victim of circumstance.
Is there anything lacking? If I do outstandingly on SATs, and assuming I write supreme essays and get supreme recommendations, do I have a shot at MIT?
This is too long to read and you pu no spaces to help the reader’s eyes. I just read a couple of lines
Non traditional is a euphemism to refer to student who have a 5 year or more gap before attending. A one year gap student is just a regular student, so post in the regular areas. College Admission is a good one to search for help with what you need for entrance, Chances is for guessing games.
Never put MENSA on college apps.
MIT and caltech are exceedingly difficult and admit very limited international students. So work on putting the best application that you can but don’t count on an admit.