<p>Hello, I am a student of an APS (CBSE)and I will be in 11th in the matter of about three months. I had got 10 CGPA in 9th and will hopefully get the same in 10th as I've got all As so far.
I am going to take the SAT and have taken a practice test in which I got 2100.
I have about 250 hours of community service and will make it 600 hours by the end of 12th.
Also, I will be taking calculus AB and calculus BC AP courses this Summer.
My ECs-
I am a pretty good basketball player and have going for basketball coaching for over two years. Unfortunately I've never got to take part in any competition as yet becase my school didn't have any cometitions and didn't take part in any as YET.
I have numerous achievements in art and have also won the first prize in the Times Of India drawing competition.
I have also won plenty of English Essay writing competitions.
I am the school editor and was also the school CCA and discipline captain.
I took part in the Google and Intel Science Fairs. My project went upto the regional level in the Intel Science Fair. I will be participating in both once again.
Well, as of now these are my only achievements. APS ( or at least the APS I am in ) does not promote ECs half as much as other schools do and so I've not got much to show here. I know how to play the guitar , piano and I know 10 different skipping patters but all these seem to be of no use since I've got nothing on paper. What can I do? It's my school that promotes a very limited range of ECs and so I will look for participating in things outside school if I find any opportunities. </p>
<p>Please chance me for UC Berkely and CalTech (This was one universtiy that asked to show strong achievements and interest in any ONE EC) and University of Michigan .</p>
<p>I know I've got nothing more than good grades and decent hours of community service but will the University hold it against me for having poor ECs? But I will certainly increase my ECs over the next two years. My school also said that it will be getting a basketball court and they'll have a girls' basketball team. </p>
<p>PS-I want to major in Physics. I will be taking MPC in 11th but I was wondering if It'd help if I took Bio as well. I don't really like Bio as much as I love Physics and am not very keen on taking it but at the same time I don't mind taking it. Should I take bio? Will it help since I wish to major in a Science oriented field.</p>
<p>If you dont like bio, don’t take it. Its simple really.
If your school doesn’t offer Ec’s make some of your own. Find the things you do like and take part in them! If your school has clubs you could start a physics club for those interested in it like you.
If you can, I advise you finish all your standardised testing in 11th itself so 12th won’t prove to be too hectic for you, what with having to manage your college applications as well as academics.</p>
<p>Thank You! Yes, I was planning to finish testing in 11th itself. However, this would be the first time I’d be officially writing the SAT and hence I would write it again in 12th. And clubs…Those things are foreign to my school…:P. But it’s a pretty good idea. Thanks! If I’d propose the idea for a club then I could by the first student to start the first possible club in school! Now, I can’t wait to talk about this to my principal! </p>
<p>@quiverfox You mean to say that I do have a chance at UC Berkely? Thanks for giving my confidence a boost. I expected replies like " Your ECs are bad. Aim for reachable apples "</p>
<p>You dont really have to take Bio since you want to major in Physics. Take it only if you are interested in it.</p>
<p>Also, a lot of Indian kids are on the same boat as you : No ECs/Less ECs at School. Though you seem to fare better than others in the EC department.
Now if you want to get involved in ECs more, start looking outside school? Maybe join basketball coaching/club ? I hope you have those in your area .</p>
<p>Also, as xNorth pointed out, start testing in 11th. So that it doesnt become much of a burden for you in the end, you dont want to try to squeeze both SATs and Apps in a limited time space, trust me.</p>
<p>Also, start your college apps early, maybe Aug? Since CommonApp starts from 1st Aug.</p>
<p>And contact your teachers and counsellor for recommendations and reports ASAP too, since Indian schools are not well equipped/informed about admission processes abroad.</p>
<p>UCB, CalTech and UMich, even without aid, are not so easy. So maybe add a few more colleges IF YOU WANT TO STUDY ONLY IN THE STATES. If you have a backup here then dont. ( Say if youd rather attend an indian college rather than an okay-ish american one). Though you should be aware that admissions are a crapshoot , since theyre holistic, so you can never accurately chance. I feel that youre on the right track though. So all the best.</p>
<p>Hope I got myself across.
If youve got any more questions, feel free :)</p>
<p>@guyinblue I do have other mediocre US collages (with an acceptance rate above 40%) in my list as a backup. All I wanted to know is that if it was worth applying to these top collages and if I stood a chance in any of them. Well, thanks for clearing my queries. :)</p>