<p>I'm from Poland (2nd class of high school) and going to apply for USA colleges. Here are some facts about me:</p>
<ul>
<li>attend one of the best high schools in region</li>
<li>I'm in the best non-IB class at school, I'm the best student in class</li>
<li>I'm in TOP 5% students at school (high GPA)</li>
<li>in last class of lower secondary school I was a finalist of local physics competition and got a distinction in "Kangaroo" international math contest, official the best student of school award</li>
<li>first class of high school I was a finalist of local math contest</li>
<li>now in 2nd class I was a semifinalist of physics olympiad (prestigious)</li>
<li>do brazilian martial art since 2 years (2h a week)</li>
<li>do bodybuliding since 1 year (8h a week)</li>
<li>do brazilian jujitsu since 0.5 year (1h a week)</li>
<li>attend local university classes for talented in physics since 1 year (4h a week)</li>
<li>in lower secondary school second and third year had individual program of learning at school in maths and english (4h a week additional classes)</li>
<li>have individual program of learning at school since 1 year in maths and physics (2h a week additional classes)</li>
<li>head of school magazine's section of science</li>
<li>will have great letters of recommendation</li>
<li>will take SAT and SAT math II and physics soon, SAT score in practice test - 1900</li>
</ul>
<p>Please indicate safties and some univesrities with mid-chance for me, I need full financial aid, dream is MIT. Give some tips to improve chances.</p>
<p>I got 1900 SAT but that was my FIRST attempt ever solving SAT. I’m going to take up exam in april and work hard before it so I have some time to improve it.</p>
<p>You need a high SAT/ACT score, plus top scores on the SAT subject tests, to break into an Ivy. My sister went to Dartmouth and majored in math. Her composite ACT score was 35, with 36 in both math and science. If you want to go to MIT, you’d better have extraordinary scores and other aspects to your app. Find other schools you’re interested in that aren’t as selective for your safeties. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for reply. I still have some time and predict math II and physics both on 800. Still try to develop and think of some more experiences and interesting hobbys.</p>
<p>Could you indicate some safties good for me?</p>
<p>it is not enough just having a 2400 sat and perfect sat2s. internationals, esp. ones needing fin. aid, are judged on a much higher scale than others. you would have to be imo gold medalist to get it.</p>
<p>Still chance to become I know that academic achievement (i.e. SAT) aren’t the main factor. Do you think becoming kind of medalist on international stage would be more vital than for example volunteer EC or interesting hobby?</p>
<p>I don’t know what to focus on. I’m one of the best in physics in my hometown (which is one of the biggesst in Poland) and also like sport and train hard especially bodybuilding, maybe will take part is some competition but I don’t volunteer. </p>
Internationals requiring financial aid do not have any safeties in the US.</p>
<p>I’m going to be perfectly honest: your chances are low. Internationals I know who have gained acceptance to MIT for physics have international awards like gold in the International Physics Olympiad, and not just local physics competitions.</p>
<p>Their SAT scores are pretty good too, around 2250. It was their first and only time at taking the SAT.</p>
<hr>
<p>Other schools that are good in science that give good financial aid are:
Grinnell
Macalester
Rice</p>
I know that academic achievement (i.e. SAT) aren’t the main factor. Do you think becoming kind of medalist on international stage would be more vital than for example volunteer EC or interesting hobby?</p>