<p>Is it impossible for an international student to get into an Ivy?
I mean English is not our native language, there is no way we can score high on SAT (Since scoring high on TOFEL doesnt really mean anything).
And how in the hell can u possibiliy participate in EC when your english is not good and feel like an outcast (I live in the US for three years).
I am a senior in high school and I feel very odd when compare to all those native speakers with top grades and full of ECs.
Everyone tells me that its impossible for me to get accepted in UPenn, but its my dream......
I tried the very best to get good grades and take APs, but ....its still only 3.7...I'm totally sad</p>
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[quote]
Is it impossible for an international student to get into an Ivy?
I mean English is not our native language, there is no way we can score high on SAT (Since scoring high on TOFEL doesnt really mean anything).
And how in the hell can u possibiliy participate in EC when your english is not good and feel like an outcast (I live in the US for three years).
I am a senior in high school and I feel very odd when compare to all those native speakers with top grades and full of ECs.
Everyone tells me that its impossible for me to get accepted in UPenn, but its my dream......
I tried the very best to get good grades and take APs, but ....its still only 3.7...I'm totally sad
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<p>There are several internationals at Ivy League institutions. Just because English isn't our native language doesn't mean we can't compete on the same level as Americans. Google and Yahoo were both founded by immigrants.</p>
<p>I used to feel like an outcast too. Explaining India to a bunch of hicks (my middle school peers) is a task unto itself. I was mocked for my accent, culture and even skin colour (they equated everything brown with Osama Bin Laden). If anything it's made me tougher.</p>
<p>About ECs, I don't see any barrier. If English isn't one of your stronger points, then work on it. Don't sit in a corner sobbing that you can't do it. I obviously can't compete with my more affluent classmates in terms of academics or even ECs to an extent, but that doesn't stop me from trying. You should've tried ECs that emphasised community service, Math etc than speech (Debate, SGA, Political Forum).</p>
<p>If it's your dream don't give up. I fully understand how it feels to be in your shoes (I've been in United States for 2 and half years) and what you must be going through. We all have moments like these.</p>
<p>P.S. Feel free to rant all you want in the Cafe/International Section/High School Section.</p>