<p>I'm terribly confused as to where I stand. My SAT scores are at best, average. I'm expecting a 1900 at most. I have a solid weighted GPA of 4.3, however, I haven't taken every challenging class possible.
Part of the discrepancies in my academic record can be attributed to my atypical situation.
Right after I was born in New Jersey, my parents and I had moved back to South Korea, where I lived two-thirds of my life. There I attended an international school from pre-school to first semester of second grade and sixth grade to first semester of ninth grade. At the international school in South Korea, English was the primary language, however, Korean and many other languages were also prevalently spoken. Because students from many different countries attended the school, most students did not speak English fluently or correctly (in a gramatical sense). From second semester of second grade to fifth grade my mother, little sister, and I emmigrated to America while my father worked as a head hunter in South Korea to support us. From second semester of ninth grade till twelveth grade, which is now, a generous Korean pastor's family had accepted me into their humble abode. </p>
<p>I understand my explanation was a little obscure so to put it simply, I have been emmigrating back and forth from South Korea to America. Now I am living with a pastor's family in a suburbian city in Ohio, while my family is living in South Korea. </p>
<p>People will assume that I am completely American because I speak fluent English, but I'm aware of the subtle differences in the English language that I cannot bring myself to master. This may be part of the reason why my verbal scores on the SAT (around the low 600s) aren't stellar. I am also not a math oriented person so my math score (around the high 500s) also detracts from SAT scores. All in all I am terrified about the admissions process because the SATs are a BIG component in the admissions process. And mine, as you can see, are...yes, average. I haven't been able to take all the honors and AP classes because my previous counselor advised me not to because I transferred schools from South Korea. And because honors and APs should be taken after all prerequisite classes I couldn't take all the APs I wanted to take. </p>
<p>Ever since I was little I have apsired to go to a prestigious college where I can learn to my fullest capacity. My dream college was Brown, but ever since I had discovered Wellesley's brochure (and many nights of researching Wellesley's website/ hearing beautiful comments about Wellesley) I fell in love at once! </p>
<p>I will apply to the following colleges (I am aware ALL of them are reaches)
1. Wellesley (will apply for early decision)
2. Brown
3. Cornell
4. Duke</p>
<p>And of course, other safety colleges. </p>
<p>Here's an outline of my academic record:
GPA
9th: 3.3 (bio 9, CP Alg, Eng 9, Fine Art I, PE, Music, Spanish I, US History 9, World History)
10th: 3.7 (Acting I, Aerobics, Bio II, CP Geometry, Government, Honors Eng; Mental Health; Spanish II, US History 10)
11th: 4.0 (first semester: accounting I; AP psyc; Chem 1, CP Alg II; honors anatomy; honors english; Spanish III; second semester: Adv. Chem; Adv. Spanish III; Alg II, Anat/Phys; AP Psyc; Adv. Eng Religion 11; Speech)
12th: 4.3 (AP Spanish; AP English: Religion 12, Ap Government; Adv. Physics; Calculus; Ceramics/Graphic Arts) </p>
<p>(Please keep in mind these are all weighted.) </p>
<p>SATs: expected 1900 (based on new scale) </p>
<p>My extracurricular activities:
Great Miami Youth Orchestra (First Violin) - two and half years
Grace Korean Church (Violin for Choir) - two years
Science Fair (first place at international school in South Korea) - 9th grade
Su Casa (community service) - one year (sr. summer)
Chesterwood Village Nursing home - one year (jr. summer)
NSLC (National Leadership Conference) - (sr. summer)
Creative Writer's Workshop (Summer program at Duke University)
Spanish Club (President) - 11th grade and probably through 12th grade
Babel Tower (a multicultural club I had started at school) - 11th grade
Psychology Club - 11th grade (no longer available in the school I transferred to.)
Big Sister, Little Sister - 11th grade (no longer available in the school I transferred to.)
Student Government - 9th grade - president; 10th grade - just transferred student; 11th grade - transferred to a new school so missed the chance to become elected so I became Rep.
I've also helped Korean immigrants who have been invited to the pastor's house with adjusting to the American culture and English.
From middle school I've worked as a translator (korean - english).
Summer of my sophmore year I visted my parents in South Korea and worked as an intern/receptionist at a executive search firm for my father. </p>
<p>I missed many chances to get involved in the NHS and clubs of that nature b/c I had transferred high schools three times. Also I had no one to provide transportation for after school activities I couldn't be involved in sports. However, I really did try to make the best out of what I had to work with. </p>
<p>I really and truly am enthusiastic about Wellesley. Seventeen years of my life had been built up towards this moment! I would most gratefully take in any advice you can give me to help me with the admissions process. I cannot rely on anyone for guidance concerning colleges except my counselor and I wish to not say this but she isn't really attentive to my needs. The pastor and his wife have shed great spiritual light unto my life, but they are not familiar with American colleges and their admission processes. My parents in South Korea are also unfamiliar with American colleges.
I'd GREATLY appreciate your advice. Thanks for taking your time to read all of this!</p>