My school grades out of a 100(doesn’t weight gpa), and my overall GPA for my first three years is 92/100 - which is fine? maybe. But some of my individual grades on classes are low - some 65s and 75s sprinkled in there and I failed physics one semester (though my grades went gradually upwards) Does this kill my chances of admission at an Ivy? My SAT score is 1520 (waiting on subject results). I did the IB (hardest workload offered at my school). MY extracurriculars aren’t the best in the world but I’ve been consistent with MUN (4 years, multiple awards), debate (3 years, many training, an award), community service (visiting low income schools around my country and doing various activities with the students every year, was the head organizer in some o them), photography (3 years, a kind-of award, and a blog), I wrote for the school literary and science magazines and am the visual editor of the school paper currently, did an internship in a creative sector, have been playing the piano for over 10 years (although no competitions or such attended. Do I still have a fighting chance at the ivy league or should I just let them go completely? (also i’m an international student that needs financial aid…)
Acceptance for international students at Ivies and equivalents are high reaches for even perfect stat students. While adcoms understand grading systems are very different outside of the US, failing a semester in a core course is probably going to be a red flag.
I’d apply to a reach school or two but focus your attention on finding affordable match schools, which will probably be in your home country.
Seconding momofsenior1. International admissions usually aren’t need-blind, which hurts your chances, but your stats are decent enough to merit an attempt. Mine are honestly probably worse and I’m applying to three Ivies. Don’t cross them off your list completely, just don’t expect much and make sure you apply to a safety and match school where you’ll be happy.