<p>Hey guys, I am an Australian and would love a few replies about my chances (if any).</p>
<p>I am applying to the following schools:</p>
<p> NYU
Harvard
MIT
Yale
Princeton
UChicago
UMichigan
UPenn
Villanova
Stanford
Boston University
UNC (Chapel Hill)
Duke
Cornell
USC</p>
<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>Thanks guys</p>
<p>ECs are acceptable, but your grades and SAT score are a little low for some of the schools you listed. </p>
<p>Your best chance would be to apply for a business program since your most impressive EC is being able to raise a lot of money, successfully managing a business. This matches with your high Math scores on the SAT. I could see an impressive admissions essay from you. </p>
<p>But assuming your admissions essay is average, the following is true</p>
<p>• NYU - match
• Harvard - reach
• MIT - reach, they really care about high test scores
• Yale - reach
• Princeton -reach
• UChicago - reach
• UMichigan - high match
• UPenn - reach
• Villanova - match
• Stanford - reach
• Boston University - match
• UNC (Chapel Hill) - high match
• Duke - low reach
• Cornell - low reach
• USC - high match</p>
<p>Haha yeah I have a feeling most of those are reaches… Thanks for your reply! I’m also hoping for a bit of luck, haha we all need it. </p>
<p>Anyone else have any thought???</p>
<p>Because your business experience is quite unique, I could easily see you get into one ivy. Capitalize on your strengths.</p>
<p>I reckon if I can get my SAT score up over 2000 it might add a new dimension but definitely the essays will play a big role in admissions.</p>
<p>anyone elseee?? bumpppp!</p>
<p>I hope that I am seen as unique because that might help me. I think my essays will have to be very intriguing and unique too. I just need that SAT score above 2000 to give myself a better shot.</p>
<p>Thanks bubbles!</p>
<p>Anyone else? Would love a reply!!</p>
<p>do you need finaid? that’s a big factor in international admissions</p>
<p>No I’m not applying for aid even though I could use it haha.</p>
<p>that’s definitely a point in your favor, then! I think you have a fair shot for admissions at schools which are reaches for anyone and should definitely be fine at most other schools.</p>
<p>thanks bluenotebook 
lets hope it works in my favor </p>
<p>anyone else?! any replies?? would love some feedback/criticism/thoughts…</p>
<p>I think you need your subscores in the high 600s, low 700s to make you really competitive. Those ECs and your grades are really good.</p>
<p>my personal opinion (a high school senior w/ two older bros and bunch of older friends)</p>
<p>NYU
• Harvard: reach
• MIT: reach
• Yale: reach
• Princeton: low reach
• UChicago: low reach
• UMichigan: match
• UPenn: high match/low reach
• Villanova: match
• Stanford: reach
• Boston University: safety
• UNC (Chapel Hill): high match
• Duke: high match
• Cornell: reach
• USC: match/high match</p>
<p>You might want to look up some safeties to have so you have at least one college you can get into.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply stalker! Much appreciated,</p>
<p>I don’t want to add to this list or change it because I have chosen these schools and if i don’t get accepted I will stay here in Australia for university.</p>
<p>Hopefully I can improve my test scores and get my subscores in the high 600s or low 700.</p>
<p>bumpp anyone else??? :)</p>
<p>If you get your SAT score up to 2200, then I think you will probably get accepted into an Ivy. With a 2100, you still have a chance but you need to write one hell of an essay.</p>
<p>NYU- match
• Harvard- reach
• MIT- reach
• Yale- reach
• Princeton- reach
• UChicago- reach
• UMichigan- high match
• UPenn- reach
• Villanova- match
• Stanford- reach
• Boston University- match
• UNC (Chapel Hill)- high match
• Duke- reach
• Cornell- reach
• USC- high match </p>
<p>based on your current stats</p>
<p>I’ve read things where people have gotten sub 2000 and have written brilliant essays which got them through. Even without any outstanding ec’s I think you also need a bit of luck and it depends on how you are represented to the admissions office through your essays. haha I could use some of that luck! </p>
<p>Saying that, I think by getting at score of 2000+ you are at least improving your chances and improving the chances to be lucky (if that makes any sense)</p>
<p>Thanks mate for your reply! :)</p>
<p>School in the US could cripple you financially. It may be far more efficient to get a 4 year degree in Aussie and then get an MBA here in the US. Think about it. Also, if you feel you must come here for undergrad, try the ACT as well. My kid performed far better on the ACT and all school accept them.</p>
<p>There is no experience involved in university in Australia compared to a school in the US. Living on campus, dorms, fraternities, internships… it’s all very limited here.</p>
<p>I have taken a whole year off and am simply just not going stop applying. I tried the ACT but bombed it bad 
got a 28…</p>
<p>My parents are happy to fork out the cash (even though it is going to be very hard) but it’s ultimately worth it… and will pay off.</p>