International Student Desperate for help PLEASE

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am from a very small country – Macedonia (1.5 million people). I have been living and working on my own since 14 and I really want to get into some of the Ivy schools like: Columbia, Cornell, MIT, Harvard, Princeton. I came to the U.S. last year and finished 11th grade. Here is how I stand:</p>

<p>.I got into early admission program: The Clarkson School (skipped 12 grade something like a prep school and will be taking college classes instead going 12 grade in high school) in NY
GPA – 4.50
All AP Classes
SAT2 US History – 730
SAT2 Math IIC – 740
SAT2 Physics – Will take in September
SAT1 – Math 650 Verbal 500</p>

<p>Have a huge resume with many job experiences because I lived and worked alone since 14 and plus these several more important awards:</p>

<p>4th Place in Computer Programming – State Level
Many 1st places in regional competitions in programming.
(I will apply as a international student)</p>

<p>I would appreciate very much if anybody answers because I don’t have whom to ask.
Thanks a lot.</p>

<p>Vido</p>

<p>dude(?)</p>

<p>good things: most college adcoms are looking for students that stand out in a crowd. If you have lived and worked on your own since u were 14!! you will stand heads and shoulders above 99% of the applicants and thus make you a very desirable candidate. I presume that you'd be looking for finaid, so need blind schools (HYPM) are your best bets</p>

<p>i dont know how the whole thing with skipping 12th grade works. i mean, do you have a school diploma? you might want to email the adcoms inquiring about this (and thus also introducing themselves)</p>

<p>finally, the okie things - try to take SAT1 again and see if you could improve your scores to improve your chances. Also, you might want to take the new SAT exam since many colleges require that. Some colleges will ask you to take SAT II Writing as well, so just keep that in mind.</p>

<p>from what you have mentioned, you look like a terrific candidate and good luck with your apps (do apply to few safeties, just in case...) :)</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>The thing you asked about skipping 12 grade: well, it is a special program (there are about 12 in the U.S. (will send you more information if you need)). You can only apply as a 11 grade student and actually you don’t get a High School Diploma but you have to take GED in order to get the college credit. If you want to get a High School Diploma you have to have something arranged with between the high school you have come from and the early admission program.
With this program you can still apply as a freshman to all colleges, but you are listening college classes (like taking 10AP classes).</p>

<p>Vido, I am strongly biased on this, but do consider some of the LACs (like the one in my location ;) ), as well as other universities! Do not restrict yourself to the Ivies, you might have the best resume out there but you never know.
Your stats look fantabulous, beside that eeny meeny SAT. You should deffinitely be able to do better in autumn, you can prepare for it over the summer.
Also, you might want to consider retaking the SATIIs as well - I am not sure how necessary it would be, but give it a thought!
As about getting into Harvard, Yale, Princeton and others, estimating chances is really futile in your case. You know it very well that you have a realistical prospect of getting in - on the other hand there is a lot of arbitrary in the process. Recommendations and essays will matter mostly, as you are a competitive applicant. Concentrate on having the best of those!</p>

<p>yo, kudos man, for working and living on your own since 14. i mean if my parents throw me out now (i am 18), i'd starve to death in less than a day(i am a typical fat american lol)
but i am intrigued by this program you speak of. mind sending me some info?
my msn is: jack_frost429@hotmail</p>

<p>Vido:</p>

<p>Your standardized test scores are probably too low for the Ivies. Why focus on the Ivies? You can get a great education at a number of schools, then go to the Ivies for grad school when your English has improved. You might try Middlebury, which doesn't require SATs.</p>

<p>I didn't even know Macedonia was a country. <em>feels stupid</em> But you've got Alexander the Great on your side, eh? </p>

<p>I think you've got a fair shot, especially if you look at more than Ivies. I'd take the new SATs, though. Study a bit and your scores will improve, but even without that you've got a killer background. They'll feel so sorry for you. :) None of those top schools are shoo-ins, though. Remember that and don't get your hopes up.</p>