<p>Hi everyone, what are my chances for a good (top 50 maybe?) college with financial aid in the US?</p>
<p>Background
Malaysian Chinese</p>
<p>Academics
(I'm still waiting for my SAT I results, taking the SAT II soon)</p>
<p>Lower Secondary Assessment:
6As and 2Bs for Malay and Chinese</p>
<p>Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM; O-Levels equivalent):
7A+, 4A and 1B+ for Chinese
Cambridge English 1119 - 1A</p>
<p>Malaysian Matriculation Program (A-levels equivalent):
CPGA: AAAA 4.0 (Maths, Physics, Chemistry, English)</p>
<p>Malaysian University English Test
Band 5, missed 6 more points for Band 6 (highest band)</p>
<p>High School
I was admitted into a highly selective secondary school, one of the best in my state. The grading curve for my school is very high. This is shown by standardized tests; most, if not all students with 'B's and 'C's in our school exams managed to get 'A's for their SPM. The passing score for our exams is also higher than other schools in the state.</p>
<p>Results:
Didn't do very well in Form 4 (Grade 10 equivalent)
Had mostly 'A's, some Bs and a 'C', flunked my Chinese Language exams.</p>
<p>Had a huge improvement in Form 5 (Grade 11)
'A's for all subjects except Malay, Chinese and Malaysian History.</p>
<p>School Ranking during graduation: Top 11%
School awards: Best student in the school for ICT</p>
<p>Matriculation Program (Grade 12 equivalent)
Got accepted into the Malaysian Matriculation program for excellent SPM grades. This 1-year program is highly competitive for non-Malay students as only 10% of the seats are given to us due to government affirmative action policies.</p>
<p>Awards
University of New South Wales English Assessment - Distinction (Top 3% of Malaysia)
National Chemistry Quiz - Merit Award
District ICT Quiz - 2 year Champion
Matriculation College - Versatile Student Award for excellence in academics and extracurriculars</p>
<p>Extracurriculars
My high school (as most schools here) has a policy that limits students to join only one uniformed body/society and one club. The exception is that if you're in the school band or Chinese Orchestra, you cannot join any other clubs (they take up too much time). I was a tuba player in the school's marching/concert band for 5 years.</p>
<p>Can someone tell me whether having just one type of extracurriculars is a disadvantage (even though we're really active in it)? But I probably won't have time for other clubs even if the school allows it, we already have group practices 3 times a week and a 4 hour self-practice session.</p>
<p>Positions held (over the years)
President, Section Leader, Information Committee, Band Camp leader, Concert Organizing team</p>
<p>I am quite active and probably put more than 15 hours a week for activities/practices and even more during competition season. I have participated in countless performances/competitions both in and out of the school.</p>
<p>Highest Achievements/Various Experiences
International Arts Festival - Gold Award
International Band Exchange program to Taiwan
National Marching Band competition - Gold Award
State Level Marching Band competition - 4 years consecutive champions
State Indoor band competition - 2 years Gold Award
Help organized the school's annual public concerts (more than 1000 member audience)
Participated in a school band exchange program with an out of state school
Collaborated with other schools for a combined band performance in conjunction with a state festival
Performance at a corporate dinner with the State Governor as guest of honor
Attended 5 years of band camp (various leadership positions)
Public speaking experience (School Orientation Day band introduction)
And many more...</p>
<p>Matriculation College Multicultural Day
Organizing Team Leader (exhibitions and performances)</p>
<p>Employment and Volunteer Work
Very competent computer user, regularly helps out teachers at school with computer problems
Public transportation surveyor
Shoes salesperson
After school physics class tutor
International Arts Festival volunteer stage crew </p>
<p>Thank You.</p>