International student's chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Grinnell College
1

<p>Hello everyone!</p>

<p>I'm an Egyptian residing in Saudi Arabia, and I'm very interested in applying to Grinnell, so just as an indicator, I'd like to see what you think of my chances. Any feedback, tips, or advice is very much appreciated :)</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 unweighted (Our school's GPA system is out of 100, and my current GPA is 99.6 so I think that's a 4.0 no?)
SAT1: R 650, W 580 (yes, shameful, I know. Working on it), M 720, total 1950. I'm gonna take it again in December.</p>

<p>Unfortunately our school doesn't offer IB or AP so I don't have any of those.</p>

<p>Non-academic stuff:</p>

<p>Robotics:
- Best Project award at FLL OEC 2010 Istanbul.
- Technical robot design runner-up award, Teamwork runner-up award at FLL OEC 2011 in Delft, Netherlands.
- Saudi Arabia Robocup champions 2007, Saudi representatives at Robocup international in Georgia Tech (though I don't know if that counts seeing that it wasn't during highschool)
- Loads of local/national prizes in Saudi Arabia. We have a full trophy cabinet lol</p>

<p>Sports:
- Played soccer for as long as I can remember. Team captain.
- Basketball in grades 11 and 12
- Swimming in grade 9</p>

<p>Jobs:
- Worked in organizing a summer program for kids ages 6-12 in my school in summer of 2008
- Lab Assistant at a Robtics Center in summer of 2009
- Teacher Assistant in an Electrical Engineering course designed for gifted students aged 17-18 given at a Robotics center in 2010</p>

<p>I should point out that the robotics center was the one where I was taught all the robotics/electronics I know, so they thought I was good enough to work as a lab assistant on the first year and a TA on the second. Don't know if this counts for anything but I was the youngest staff member in both of the years I worked with them on. Do you think I should mention that or would it sound too pompous/excessive?</p>

<p>Other stuff/Miscellaneous:</p>

<ul>
<li>Made a little Electrical-engineering-based invention and I'm gonna apply for a patent. Though, to be fair, with hindsight, I think it's not very efficient, but oh well, the journey of making it was great, even if the end result wasn't very useful/handy.</li>
<li>Organized TEDx events in Saudi Arabia.</li>
<li>Volunteered in Resala foundation in Egypt, as well as many others in Saudi. I don't have count but I'd say it's definitely over 200 hours of community service. Most notable activities were/are fundraising to help people in slums in Saudi Arabia and helping people below the poverty line in Egypt.</li>
<li>Participated in several MUN and GIN conferences, local and international. Say about 6 or 7. PS: I won the award for " best smile ". Having a good smile on campus is appreciated, no? xD</li>
<li>Participated as a presenter in lots of scientific exhibits, mostly presenting about/advertising robotics.</li>
</ul>

<p>Music:
- I play guitar, self taught.
- I'm a DJ, as well as an Electronic music (trance, house) producer. Also self taught.</p>

<p>I have big plans scheduled for next year, but I didn't mention them above because they're still not complete, some of which include:</p>

<ul>
<li>starting a tutoring club at school next year.</li>
<li>organizing a few TEDx events.</li>
<li>starting a fundraiser for Somalia, and ones to build wells in Africa.</li>
<li>Organizing an MUN conference for college students, because the MUN culture is almost exclusively spread amongst highschools around here.</li>
<li>Giving practice at my school for the RAM1 test, the Saudi-colleges equivalent of the SAT.</li>
</ul>

<p>Looking back, I think I could've done better for my CV, but oh well, better late than never. Sorry if I kept on blabbering for too long :) </p>

<p>Many thanks,
Sherif</p>

2

<p>I think you’d be a very competitive applicant, though, as you note, a higher V score would help. I don’t think Grinnell puts much weight on the writing score. Are you able to take the ACT where you are? Many people find the verbal parts of that test to be more straightforward than the SAT. I don’t think anything you’ve said here is pompous.</p>

3

<p>err…what’s a “higher V score”? you mean writing?</p>

<p>And thanks a lot for your reply! It’s very much appreciated :)</p>

4

<p>oh btw, not to sound too demanding, but off the top of your head, what other schools would you say would be good for me? ( in terms of matching while disregarding personal preference)</p>

5

<p>About six months ago, there was a front page article in The New York Times about foreign students inundating Grinnell with applications. You should read it for general information. Interestingly, it said that 1/2 of the students who apply from China have perfect 800 SAT scores in math.</p>

6

<p>V is for Verbal.</p>

<p>Reading your list of interests and activities, I’d think you’d want to look at some schools with engineering programs. At Grinnell, you could do a 3-2 program only (3years there, 2 at another school).</p>

7

<p>Floridadad55: Thanks for the heads up! I read the article and it definitely offers an interesting perspective on the matter. I don’t know if it applies to me though, because I’m not sure of the number of Egyptian applicants to Grinnell, but I’d guess they’re not anywhere near the number of Chinese applicants.</p>

<p>bethievt: Yes, I am actually looking at Engineering schools, a lot of them, but I’m also looking at liberal arts ones because I’m still unsure of my major of choice. I’m considering Electrical Engineering & Computer Science should I go down the science route, but I’m considering Economy as my social studies choice.</p>

8

<p>I think you sound like a great candidate. To me, it looks like you’ve taken advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you in your community, and that’s what colleges look for. As for your job, if all the staff members were adults and you were the only kid, i would mention that. It shows that they considered you a peer and a very responsible person.</p>

<p>I don’t think Grinnell considers the Writing score. And, your 720 in Math is just fine. You will not be compared with the Chinese applicants. Grinnell wants to maintain diversity on campus! But, taking your SAT again is a good idea in any case.</p>

9

<p>Perhaps I missed it, but am I correct that you need financial aid? How much?</p>

<p>You look like a good candidate - and Grinnell doesn’t consider the writing score - although other schools do and I assume you are applying elsewhere as well.</p>

<p>I’m not sure how the financial aid angle works if you do a 3/2 program in engineering at Grinnell - I doubt Grinnell offers aid for the last two years at another school. Can someone shed light on this?</p>

10

<p>SDonCC: Thanks for the advice. I’ve decided to include the fact that I was the youngest staff member, on my applications. </p>

<p>M’s Mom: Well, yea actually, I am in need of financial aid, but if I go to Grinnell I don’t think I’ll enroll in their engineering program, which is why I’m applying to other schools which have better academics and reputation as Engineering schools.</p>

<p>I have to say that I’m feeling much more confident now that I’ve seen people tout me as a good candidate. I’m always stressed out/paranoid about the whole college application thing, but then again, I’m sure most of the applicants are. Thanks a lot everyone :)</p>