<p>I know the dealine passed more than a month ago and (of course) I sent in my application^. I just want to know if I may stand a chance this year with my stats:</p>
<p>1>Personal information
- International applicant (from Vietnam)
- Currently taking a gap year
- Applying for financial aid, expected contribution: 4-5k/year, but if necessary my parents can borrow some money. I think 10k is possible</p>
<p>2>Standardized tests and GPA
- IELTS (sadly I didn't take TOEFL, but the admission officers told me its ok): 7.0 overall (approx 100iBT I believe), with 6.5 speaking 6.5 listening 7.0 reading and 8.0 writing
- SAT: 1960 superscore (yeah I'm devastated already)
- SAT II: Math I 780 Math II 800 Physics 770 (they don't care about SAT subject tests, do they?)
- GPA: tenth grade 9.1 eleventh grade 9.1 twelfth grade 8.8 on a scale of 10
--> in Vietnamese education system there are only three grades in high schools, and we have to study like 10 or 11 subjects each year. Grading standard is also different but according to other Viet-abroaders my GPA should be about 3.7-3.8. I'm just a bit worried about the downward trend :-s
- Rank: 1/58 of my class (yup the class here is a bit different), and overall must be in the top 1%</p>
<p>3>Activities and awards
- Art: Drawing since second grade. I sent some of my Manga drawings as supplement
- Athletics (four years since ninth grade): Only swimming and badminton, but I enjoy them very much. I was contacted by Coach Glen of the swimming team asking about my seriousness and performance in swimming, but my performance was so-so, I guess.
- Design staff core member of English club (three years). Speaking of which, I also had a chance to attend 2month English course at University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK in summer 2007.
- Class vice president (three years)
- PR member of an environmental organization since summer 2008 (I decided to take a gap year so I engaged in this activity)
- Merit certificates for excellent and outstanding performance at high school ( I received three in total, 1 each year)
- Third prize in the Inter-school Physics Olympiads</p>
<p>4>Essays and recommendations:
- I guess the recommendations are good because I kept a very friendly and well-respected relation with all teachers and counselor.
- My Math teacher told me she emphasized on my ability in Math- I guess/hope this is a good thing, as Math is my highest-achieving subject at school and at SAT also.
- Essays: I think mine are okay, I hope not too bad. I tried really hard to keep the short answers within character limits.
- Supplemental recommendation: my close friend also sent a recommendation and I was really amazed. It was sincere, sweet and included many small details of my characteristics I barely notice</p>
<p>*Side note: I also sent in a brief resume with my photograph attached (no harm rite?) </p>
<p>So, what do you guys think of my chance? Ah certainly I applied RD. I would greatly appreciate your comments.</p>