<p>(I know some of these are extreme reaches but I thought I might as well give them a crack) haha</p>
<p>SAT I: M 720 WR 640 CR 630 Superscore=1990 (really hoping to push 2000+ in the December SAT because 1990 seems a tad low)
SAT II: Math level 2: 740 Physics: 720
GPA: Approx= 3.9(we dont have a GPA system in Australia) Unweighted**
Class Rank: Top 5% in Graduating Class of 380 students in 2011 </p>
<p>Academic Achievements
-Top 5.8% in all of Australia in the end of year examinations with a national percentile ranking of 94.15/99.95
-Top 1% of all Business studies students in 2010 (Nationwide)
-Distinction Top 10% in PWC Business Studies Competition (International)
-Distinction Top 15% in Australian Mathematics Competition (National)
-Overall Academic Excellence for 3 years (School level) </p>
<p>Extra-Curricular Accolades
-For the last 2 years I have been a part owner of a Café where I am now its Accountant, Head Barista and Human resource manager within the last 1.5 years (gap year) and improved sales to experience profitability after this economic crisis. I have been able to do this by cutting costs through efficient labor use and promoting/marketing our coffee to increase our customer base. We have gone from weekly revenue sales of $5000 (operating at a loss/breaking even) to sales of $7000-$8500 and are now experiencing profitability
-In my senior year I was School Prefect which is the highest role of leadership voted by peers and the faculty at my school and was part of the Student Council and Student Govt for 4 continuous years.
-Senior School Treasurer and President of the Business Club where I was responsible for all funds regarding school events and charitable donations to an excess of $45,000 of cash per year.
-Vice-Captain of Varsity Cricket team and member of Varsity Cricket team for 4 years also competing at a State level in Cricket
-Member of Varsity Baseball team (Champions 2010 and 2011) competing at a state level
-Volunteer Tutor at Old aged home teaching elderly citizens how to use computers and access the internet and volunteer tutor at Sudanese Refugee organization (130+ hours per year)
-Member and leader of Social Justice Club-involved with achieving social justice outside of the school community
-Interned within the Finance department of Australias biggest online betting agency-Sportsbet
-Awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Award (Bronze level)</p>
<p>Essays: Hopefully will be interesting and will paint a holistic picture of myself as a person and a student. Talks about a heartfelt experience while tutoring a Sudanese refugee and my activities essay is about operating a café a partly own and outlining what I have learnt from operating a small business and the difficulties involved during such tough economic times revealing my passion for business and all things related.</p>
<p>Recommendations: Should be great! From teachers I have known for more than 3 years and hopefully have lovely things to say about me.</p>
<p>I appreciate any replies and thoughts on my chances at those schools! </p>
<p>NYU: High match
Harvard: Reach
Duke: Reach
Yale: Reach
U Chicago: Reach (write stellar essays and you will have a better shot)
Princeton: Reach
UPenn: Reach
Cornell: Reach
USC: High match
Stanfod: Reach
BU: Low match
UNC: High match (OOS hurts you)
Villanova: Low match
MIT: Reach</p>
<p>Fellow Aussie here. I would think only a 99+ ATAR student would be able to get into the Ivies or MIT but I definitely think NYU and USC are both really good schools that you have a pretty good chance for. If you don’t mind me asking, I’m curious as to why you want to go to the USA for college? For me its because the major I want to do is basically absent in Aus, but places such as University of Melbourne and UNSW are both world-renowned schools that would rival places like NYU and USC.</p>
<p>yeah I’m just giving it a go hoping my essays/ec’s get me through…</p>
<p>I have a spot at The university of Melbourne but I just think that the experience of college in the US is more beneficial and just a lot better. Along with that, the opportunities available for internships and exposure to more diversity and activtities is a huge plus for me.</p>
<p>Definitely agree with the whole experience and diversity thing. As my username suggests, I’m hoping to major in film though I start year 12 next year so I’ve got a year to go. I have a predicted ATAR 99+ and SAT practice scores 2250+ so I reckon I’d have a chance at some of the Ivies but I really just want to go to NYU or USC as they’re top film schools. </p>
<p>How weird do you reckon it’d be for Aussies on campus? I’m actually from WA which is so boring and non-diverse though I know Melbourne’s a little better. But its going to be so weird to be on a campus where there are people of all races, in fairly equal proportions, as opposed to predominantly white in Aus. </p>
<p>Btw, if you get in, bring a lot of Tim Tams. I hear they don’t have them in the states and you’ll instantly be the popular kid with the choccies :)</p>
<p>Well I have spent 6 weeks on campus over in the states at a couple of schools in Boston and trust me they love aussies.</p>
<p>Personally, I regret not working harder during VCE to get my Atar up and also I did have an operation a week before my first final exam but no point dwelling on that…</p>
<p>I’m just gonna give it a good shot and see what happens.
Haha mate if I end up there i’ll be giving tim tams away like crazy dont you worry.</p>
<p>good luck with year 12 and your endeavours for college</p>