<p>Okay, so I am applying for the class of 2018.The application process has started to show its effects on me.I am pretty tired of thinking about my ECs, which I think is pretty much the same case with most of the Indians who are yet to apply.My school has very-very limited oppurtunities for extra curriculars.Hence,I have very limited EC's.
They are as stated below:</p>
<p>1.)Grade : 9
I was the editor of a magazine which was created by our class.The magazine had contributions from our class only.Almost 50 students contributed and it was about 90-100 pages thick.It was solely meant to showcase our class's own work.It took us aroung 6-7 months to get it ready.
I even headed the whole process of compiling,typing and designing the magazine.After completion it was released in front of the whole school and is now shelved in the school's library.</p>
<p>2.)Grade : 11
Attended a C++ programming course.It was 52 days long.Became certified.</p>
<p>3.)Since grade 10 and still continuing!
I have self taught myself Java and Python.</p>
<p>4.)Grade 10 and 11 (approx. 2 years)
I have been teaching 'computers' to the poor kids.It started out on my maid's insistence and she brought everyone who was willing to learn(yes,they all were poor).I didn't perform it for the sake of ECs.Not sure if it counts as an EC.</p>
<p>Now that I am done "tooting my own horn" :p, I want you guys to tell me whether or not,I have a good shot at the decent privates if I get the other areas to the competitive level(academics and essay).How can I cover up for this area.
Suggestions of any sort are very much welcome.I plan to major in CS/CE.</p>
<p>PS : sorry for the length of the post, couldn't compress it much.</p>
<p>Your experience with computers and especially teaching computing to underprivileged (the US univeristy approved word for ‘poor’) kids is awesome. It’s charity work that shows initiative and plays into your skill set: literally ideal. This should be a major selling point of your application. I would probably write an essay dealing with experience. I’m not sure how feasible this is, but because your work is independent and not with a registered/common charity, it may be a good idea to include a ‘reference’ from one of the kids you’ve helped or maybe from that maid talking about how much of a difference you’ve made. This is obviously dependent on their time/writing skills but most top Univerisities allow you to submit additional references and this might be a good instance to include one.</p>
<p>How do universities define poor?
Do the references have to be in english?I mean, how can they work as they won’t be in english?
I am pretty confused whether they would find my work legitimate or not! :(</p>
<p>Well if they’re your maid’s kids then they’re probably considered poor. There’s no hard and fast definition. If they don’t have access to the same kind of resources as you and wouldn’t have been to learn computing without you than that makes them “underprivileged.” </p>
<p>If the references can’t be in English then don’t worry about them. I’m not sure how many schools would be okay with this but you could always translate them and then have the original writer sign saying they approve the translation. </p>
<p>They will find your charity work legitimate, it just never hurts to have additional references for cases like this. Either way, I would recommend writing at least one of your essays on this topic.</p>
<p>well I don’t know your scores and I’m not particularly familiar with the Inidan education system but your ECs look good for those schools. The rules are a bit different for applying to top computing/engineering universities…whereas more Liberal Arts oriented universities like Harvard (and Cornell actually) want you to be well rounded, schools that know you want computer science and are focused on that area will want a demonstrated interest. Your volunteer work teaching computing and taking C++ programming on your own will all be good indicators of your interest. </p>
<p>out of curiosity, what school are you referring to by “uiuc”?</p>
<p>I am asking my chances assuming that I get everything else up to the mark.That includes "numbers"and essays.
And yeah I meant University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign :)</p>
<p>Ah okay. We just call if U of I here in the states. Like I said, ECs will matter less to a school like U of I especially if you want computer science/engineering. Your scores will definitely be the most important part of your application. If you don’t have any scores I really can’t say anything towards your chances. As a rough marker, you’ll want 33+ on your math ACT section if you’re doing that and a 750+ on your math SAT section, higher if you want scholarships. As an engineering/computer science student you’ll get more leeway on your english/reading/writing side of things and you’ll get even more leeway as an international. I would aim for 640 or so SAT in those sections, 25 or 26 + ACT. Keep in mind you’ll also have to pass the TOEFL (usually they want 100+ I believe). So if you did well on whatever qualifications you’re doing, get high math SAT/ACT, get adequate Reading/Writing scores, and pass your TOEFL then yeah, you’d have a very good shot. Also worth keeping in mind that if you’ll need money, most of these schools won’t offer it to internationals. You’ll need to obtain merit based scholarships. To get those you’ll need to be one of the top students they admit so it might not be a bad idea to aim a bit lower if you’ll need money.</p>
<p>Hmm!Thanks for such an elaborate response.That helps set goals pretty much.Don’t know if will manage such scores but will study as hardest as possible.
Also what do you think about CMU and Cornell,they are like the best schools in my list?I believe my ECs are quite weak considering my international status.
I am assuming you are a High school senior,eh?</p>
<p>Nope I’m going into my second year at University in the UK…but I’m from the US, applied and was accepted to several top US universities. I’m a social sciences student but my family is all engineers and so are many of my friends so I’m very familiar with the process (especially U of I because that’s my state school!). </p>
<p>Sorry I can’t find your list of schools…where are you applying again? For computer science CMU is a great school, as is Cornell (although many would consider Cornell, though a better school overall, lower than top public universities like U of I or UMichigan for engineering).</p>
<p>Oh sorry, just saw your list. MIT is the top computer science school just an FYI. If you get fabulous scores, it wouldn’t hurt to throw that one in the mix too (and they meet demonstrated need for internationals whereas public universities won’t). Caltech is also good, as is Georgiatech.</p>
<p>Oh great to hear that you are in UK. Which university?
By asking how CMU and Cornell are, I meant to ask about my chances?Maybe I’m a bit nonchalant with writing posts on CC
Yeah, MIT is great too.I’d rather say GOD at engineering.It’s everyone’s dream in India.
I think shooting for it is useless for me. That would get me nowhere. We Indians are over represented minority at the colleges in US, and that ups the competition in our pool.I guess one would need an Olympiad medal or something of international stature of the likes to get in.</p>
<p>Again, your ECs sound very good to me. It’s a common misconception amongst internationals that US unis want everyone to be captain of three sports and MUN and whatever and whatever and whatever. This is actually not true. Think of it this way: Harvard gets thousands of MUN captains and award winners every year but how many students who used their own time and resources to help the poorer children in their area learn an essential skill for the future do you think they get? </p>
<p>Anything you do that shows initiative is a major plus. volunteering to help those kids will look great, ESPECIALLY because you did it on your own with no organization. Teaching yourself C++ also shows initiative. Your ECs look really good to me, just be sure to “spin” them so they sound as impressive as possible. You don’t want to come off like you’re just bragging but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to spin beginning teaching “on my maid’s insistence” into, “my maid brought to my attention that the poor kids in the area were unable to learn computing. I know what a vital skill computing is and will be in the future and felt that it was unfair that these students would be at a disadvantage later in life because they did not have the same opportunities as me…” something vaguely along those lines. You see how that sounds better than your maid insisting you tech them?</p>
<p>Wow Cambridge! That’s really cool. How does it feel to study over there? I have heard its a lot different from the US.</p>
<p>It’s very humble of you to talk about my ECs so highly. I hope they appear good to the adcoms too. I really want to go to Cornell or CMU.
I guess your word on the essays is good to get me thinking. Thank you so much!</p>
