I realize similar topics have been beaten to death, but I feel the need for affirmation & a reality check so I don’t end up applying somewhere (especially as ED) with no realistic chance of getting in.
Demographics:
- Male
- Singaporean of Indian origin
- Small semi-autonomous school with IB classes only
Academics:
- 38/45 for IB (school doesn’t do GPAs)
- Internal school grades were not good due to difficulty & my extra commitments as well as a depressive episode I faced in 12th grade
- 7 in Econ HL, 6 in Math HL
- 1590 SAT on the new scale (790E/800M) with 22/24 on the essay. This converts to 2370 on the old scale, splitting up into (790R/800M/760W) <-- they’re not supposed to add up
- Plan to take Math II, World History and Literature in October, should be able to get 800 in math but not sure about the other two
- Class is not ranked but because of the way schools work here (attend on merit, not proximity) it’s pretty bad, although my IB scores are above the nationwide average.
- Planning to take AP CS later in the year.
Awards
- Several honorable mentions from Model UN conferences
- Several awards for service to the school
- Special recognition by the Education Ministry for Achievement, Leadership and Service
Extracurriculars:
- Photography, executive committee member and trainer. Organized an annual convention.
- Model UN Society, chaired councils and organized MUNs for two years
- Editorial board, kind of an ‘elite’ photography club
- Sergeant in the National Cadet Corps
Other commitments:
- Organized a TEDx Conference in school
- Fundraised for the YMCA (about $150,000)
- Did overseas volunteering in China, raised about $4000
- In the process of pioneering a program to give free tuition and mentorship to underprivileged and academically challenged students
- Run a website for IB students answering common questions and publishing articles
- Play the violin for the National Orchestra, also hold a leadership position as coordinator & sound engineer
- Did a three month internship for a corporate law firm and wrote out/proofread legal contracts worth several million dollars
- Currently in the military, mandatory for all Singaporeans
Recommendations:
- Counselor: 8-9/10. He worked with me on TEDx and we have a lot of common interests so I think it’ll be favorable.
- Economics teacher: 7-8/10. We had a kind of rough relationship for a while because of a depressive episode I had in 12th grade but she knows me well and although it’ll be slightly critical, I’m confident that it’ll be realistic.
- Haven’t decided the last one yet. Will likely be getting a peer recommendation and a supplementary one from my orchestra conductor.
Planning to apply Dartmouth ED. If this isn’t enough I’m open to other school recommendations in line with my profile.
Thanks!