International Student applying to the Ivies - Low SAT

I am student based in Edinburgh and am applying to the USA. My stats are:

-SAT: 1470 (EBR: 710, Math: 760)
-5 A’s at Higher’s (equivalent to 5 A* at AS Levels) and 7 As at National 5 (equivalent to 7 A* at GCSE) and a B in a self-taught GCSE.

In terms of extracurriculars:

  • Published 5 papers (as first author) in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Involved in & acknowledged in large project for EACCI & WHO.
  • Self-taught programmer & data scientist.
  • Founder of computer science charity with support from IBM & Amazon
  • Involved in local drama group
  • Working on machine learning project with Harvard prof.
  • Also involved in a lot of charity work (ie. local foodbank)

I am hoping to apply to the Ivy League schools (ideally Harvard, MIT or Stanford), however I am now unsure based on my low SAT scores. What are my chances?

@unsureAboutUni

A few things to point out here. First MIT and Stanford are not ivies. You are probably using the ivy league term to mean top schools but I am just making sure you realize that. In other words do not write in your Stanford or MIT essay anything about them being ivies or anything like that haha…

Second of all, Harvard, Stanford and MIT are not just top schools they are arguably the elite of the elite. The competition you will face is insane. Especially as an international student applying to these 3 schools the competition is beyond insane, because these 3 are the most famous/prestigious US unis globally and most top international students aspire to attend one of them.

Not gonna lie, your SAT is rather low for any ivy. You definitely have good ECs so you can make up for it a bit, but Harvard, Stanford, MIT will be rather tough with this score. I would say go ahead and apply if they are your dream, but make sure you look into other more attainable ivies and top schools and also include some matches and safeties on your list.

Last year one of my friend, with similar activities and lower SAT score(1450 I think) was admitted to MIT on ED. She is an international student as well.

What about subject tests?

@Tikuna a high-achieving female – especially one who is not white, or from a country not known for its support of/ educating women – does have a bit of an advantage at a STEM school such as MIT.

@suzy100 I am planning on doing Maths Level 2 & Physics Subject tests in Dec sitting.