Ivies ?? yes or no

Student Lounge International Students
1

Hey I’m in year 12 (equivalent year 11 US) and doing IB Diploma. I want to know schools I have good chance / low chance of getting in and above all, if I have a good chance of getting into ivies and other top CS.

Demographics: Asian, No US citizenship, have studied in an English speaking country for 1 year
and rest I studied in a public school in my home country.
Intended major: Econs and/or engineering / philosophy / history

SAT 1 - 1440 + essay 8/6/7 (1st try) 1540 (2nd try - 750 + 790) <should i="" retake="" my="" sat?="">
SAT 2 - Math lvl 2. 800, am taking Physics and US history in June SAT
GPA (34/35 - yr 11 semester 2, 39/42 - yr12 semester 1)

Pre IB Mathematics 7 English Literature 7 Spanish abinitio 7 Science 6 Humanities 7

IB semester 1
(almost done with my first year!)
(these are my semester 1 grades and numbers next to arrows are what I’m expecting for semester 2)
HL Economics 6 → 7
HL History 7 → 7 (or very high 6 :()
HL Phyiscs 6 → 6 (or very low 7)
HL Mathematics 7 → 7
SL English Literature 6 → 6 (or very low 7)
SL Korean Literature 7 → 7

I also took AP Calculus BC and expecting 5 or at least 4 for that.

EC:
School vice president (year 9)
School student council (year 12 term 1)
Boarding house house leader
A completion certificate of geoscience department in Seoul National University Science-Gifted Education Center (1 year)
Leader of : UNICEF, two volunteering clubs for children, MUN (+ regional MUN student ambassador)

school magazine Korean editor

Sang in local church for half a year
School debating club - competing in the regional finals

I also play a traditional instrument - have performed in school talent show & korean’s day

(national) economics competition(high distinction)
(national) Language Olympiad (finalist - top 100)
(national) Math (High Distinction)
(national) English (merit)
(national) Juniors Mathematics Competition (Top 100 listing)
(regional) business case competition - semi-finalist (top 25)

I think my essay is pretty strong because I did have some ups and downs in my life.
Thanks <3

2

The Ivy League is a “reach” for you, your chances of getting into these schools are small. Not because you don’t have the stats or accomplishments, but because these schools have single digit acceptance rates – and lower for international students. If you’re serious about studying in the U.S. you need to apply widely, including to schools that are less known, and less selective.

3

Look at schools that offer credit for your IB HL scores, like Case Western Reserve University, schools in Florida, Georgia or Colorado, where the IB diploma credits are actually legislated by state law, to give students college credits. (you still must score well, look up the required IB scores school by school, there is no consistency in the USA for credits awarded) .
Taking credit for your hard IB work in high school, will allow you to take more advanced classes during your undergraduate years.

The Ivy League in part is well connected to jobs in finance in New York City and the Northeast and also has the international reputation you may be looking for, too, but there are hundreds of other American schools that have very similar educational quality in many fields. Korea may value some US schools over others, try to figure that out if you hope to return to Korea to work.

Also look at Canadian and European three year programs, if you do believe you can earn an IB diploma.
The IB diploma counts as a full year in Canada and European higher education systems.

Students from our IB World High school finished in three years at Canadian schools like Concordia U in Montreal,
and then headed to law school a year early. Depending on your goals, schools other than the Ivy League may
get you there faster.