<p>Hey everyone, I just graduated from my HS in Australia last week and have my final Examinations in a weeks time. I am applying to eight universities in the USA, all of which, bar 1, are ranked by USNews as the Top 10 in the country (no I wasn't overly influenced by the rankings, it has been my dream to attend most of these since I was in primary school). Here are achievements/extra-curricular's</p>
<p>ACADEMIC:</p>
<ul>
<li>Academic Entrance Scholarship 2001</li>
<li>Academic Excellence 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005</li>
<li>General Proficiency 2001, 2005</li>
<li><p>Academic Tie (most prestigious academic honour) 2005</p></li>
<li><p>Gold Medal (For Highest Score in State) in UNSW Mathematics Competition 2000</p></li>
<li><p>2nd Placing in WAJMO (WA Junior Mathematics Olympiad) 2002</p></li>
<li><p>High Distinction in the International Tournament of the Towns 2002</p></li>
<li><p>High Distinction in the Mathematics Challenge Stage (with Perfect Score) 2002</p></li>
<li><p>High Distinction in Noether Enrichment Stage 2002</p></li>
<li><p>High Distinction in the AMC 2001, 2004</p></li>
<li><p>Distinction in the AMC 2002, 2003, 2005</p></li>
<li><p>Participated in the Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad 2002, 2003 (with Distinction)</p></li>
<li><p>1st Placing in the Have Sum Fun Maths Competition 2003</p></li>
<li><p>2nd Placing in the Have Sum Fun Maths Competition 2002</p></li>
<li><p>Distinction in UNSW Science Competition 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005</p></li>
<li><p>High Distinction in the Australian National Chemistry Quiz 2004</p></li>
<li><p>High Distinction in ACER Exams 2002</p></li>
<li><p>High Distinction in Alliance Francaise Competition 2004, 2005</p></li>
</ul>
<p>End of Year 12 Statement of Results:</p>
<p>Physics A
Calculus A
French A
Applicable Mathematics A
English Literature A</p>
<hr>
<p>EXTRA-CURRICULAR:</p>
<p>2005</p>
<ul>
<li>Mens SBL (State Basketball League) [Cockburn Cougars] Squad Member (Departed team in March due to school commitments)</li>
<li>1st V School Basketball; School MVP & PSA (Private Schools Association) All-time Record for Single-Game Points Total and Triple-Doubles in Season</li>
<li>School Debating</li>
<li>1st IV School Chess</li>
<li>Division 1 Interschool Athletics</li>
</ul>
<p>2004</p>
<ul>
<li>U18 Division 1 in WABL (WA [State] Basketball League)</li>
<li>1st V School Basketball</li>
<li>1st IV School Chess</li>
<li>School Debating</li>
<li>Organisation of School Table-Tennis Club</li>
<li>School Physics & French Clubs</li>
</ul>
<p>2003</p>
<ul>
<li>U16 Division 1 in WABL (WA [State] Basketball League)</li>
<li>10A School Basketball</li>
<li>1st IV School Chess</li>
<li>School Physics & French Clubs</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>MISCELLANEOUS:</p>
<ul>
<li>Web Design / Graphic Design</li>
<li>Competent with the Microsoft Office 2003 Bundle</li>
<li>Ability to touch-type</li>
<li>Adequate knowledge in web/graphic design through the programs Adobe Photoshop CS & Macromedia Homesite 5.0</li>
<li>Internet programming languages known: HTML, CSS & JavaScript</li>
<li>Competent with Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 & Sony Vegas Studio 5.0 for multimedia/video production</li>
<li>Amateur Photography</li>
<li><p>High School Tutor, Yrs 8-11</p></li>
<li><p>National Schools Basketball Tournament (Ballarat) 2003</p></li>
<li><p>Exchange Program to France for 4 weeks 2004</p></li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>As you can see a lot of my high academic achievements are in 2002, 2003 (grades 9 and 10), and I'm pretty sure this will affect my application, because it is indeed true that I have had lapses over the years. I am, however, affirmed that I have overcome this year, and have been consistent throughout the academic year.</p>
<p>My Year 12 course is the most rigorous that a student can do in Australia, apart from adding Chemistry to that (which I absolutely detested in Yr11 and dropped out off). And, given that I have all A's, I suppose I have a GPA of 4.0...</p>
<p>With regard to my formal application and rankings, I project I will finish up in the top 0.3% in my state, and will rank 2nd or 3rd in my school (we have 178 Year 12's graduating, i know this is small, but my school is rather prestigious)</p>
<p>Furthermore, I am yet to sit my SAT I's or II's, but I will be doing the Reasoning test in November and again in December. I also plan to sit the SAT II's in January.</p>
<p>My family can be considering above-average middle-class; both work at Universities, however we moved to Australia from Europe 10 years ago, and do have a lot of financial troubles, so I will be applying for a significant amount of Aid as well.</p>
<p>Any opinions?</p>