<p>I am currently in 11th grade (CBSE) and I want to go to US and major in Physics. Here are my stats-
SAT-2200
9th-10 CGPA
10th-10 CGPA (I know the results aren't out yet, but I'm confident about this)
11th-Let's assume that I'll get above 80%
12th-Let's assume that I'll get above 90%
I will be giving AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, SAT Physics Subject Test and Math 2 subject test.
ECs-
-My passion and my best talent is art. I've won more than 20 drawing/painting competitions. I don't think this will count but I love drawing manga and am working on my own manga.
-Sports: I can play basketball and badminton very well. However, until now I've not got the chance of participating in any tournament as my school doesn't have a girls' basketball team yet. It might this year. I do have a certificate that says that I have received basketball coaching for 2 years.
-I have won various essay writing and handwriting competitions.
-I am the school editor.
-My articles and art have been published in the Hindu newspaper.
-I was the school CCA captain for two years.
-My school never had clubs. I was the one who put forward the whole club idea. I organized the general classes, timings, members, budget etc. My school now has a science, math, art and music club.
-Music-I have a certificate that says that I've learnt guitar. Part of the school band. I can also play the piano.
-I will be applying for a fellowship in IISC after 11th and hopefully will be selected for it.
-Okay, now this is important. I've always wanted to volunteer for an organization but never got the opportunity to do so because of school. I did volunteer at an old age home for about 30 hours and have a letter that says that I did that. You think that'll help? Will the fact that I don't have a strong background in community service hurt my chances? I have donated old books to ITC and have significantly contributed towards the maintainance of my school garden.
-I won many poster making competitions.</p>
<p>I feel that my ECs are very poor. I haven't done anything outstanding. Can you please sugegest something I can do? I come from a school (APS) that dosen't care about ECs. But I do have great letters of recommendation from this school.</p>
<p>I want to get into universities like-
University of Michigan
UC Berkely (dream university)
Washington University
If at all my ECs improve and I do something outstanding (unlikely)...Caltech </p>
<p>Please chance me.
P.S.-I am very passionate about Physics. I want to do somthing to show that. What can I do? Any suggestions? How can I improve my ECs in general and in the field of Science? Also, about the community service,...I feel like I haven't done much. What can I do about it? How can I improve my resume?</p>
<p>The key word is ‘passion’. If you say your passion is art, You need to work towards it. My sister is a painter and she auctions her paintings online. This is what counts. What matters to you, matters to your college. Personally, I am passionate about technology. I am attending Stanford because I love technology. If you are passionate about physics, Show it. Teach physics to young children in your school and do not do it to increase your EC’s. Adcoms are experienced enough to realize the intensity of your passion. Do what you love. If you love art and physics which trust me is a killer combo, You can get very very easily into Caltech. Even, I got into UC Berkeley. You don’t need to do something outstanding to get into your dream university, You need to do what gives you joy, what makes you happy , what makes you feel that you deserve a peaceful sleep 
</p>
<p>For me that is science. For you that’s art & physics. You should also try international Olympiads. They test your logical ability and it is perfectly fine not to win. The idea is to challenge yourself. Explore . All these universities have online courses. Read about them. And do not do community service to do community service. Do it if you want to do it. I did not do it and that is what I wrote. Do not write things to show that you are all in one. You need that one passion. That one thing that makes you what you are. Art or Physics. Explore :)</p>
<p>@Maverick…You got into Stanford?! You must be a freaking prodigy! And thanks for the motivational reply. Looks like I’ve got a lot to explore… :D</p>
<p>Thank you so much… But honestly, All you need to do is follow your passion. Even if you do not get into a very good university, you will become very successful in life. Do not do things because others tell you it is the right thing to do. Listen to your heart and explore your passions.</p>
<p>I wasn’t going to comment but I noticed this “I don’t think this will count but I love drawing manga and am working on my own manga.”
This so definitely counts. It’s unique-ish and shows a different side of you than the average applicant who claims to like both Physics and Art in an effort to portray themselves as a diverse person in front of the Admissions Committee. Work on this. Put it online maybe and make sure you link it up in your app. Show them you’re sincere and dedicated to what you’re doing. Everything else has been well-summed up by Maverick so toodles.</p>
<p>Just a heads up, UCB is a greeaaat university and have started accepting indian students lately but they have to pay full fee - no scholarship. The fees are in excess of 1.2 crores for a 4 year period. If you afford it, great, but of not then bad luck!</p>
<p>@Maverick: I am amazed :O! Stanford!?! Can you pleeeeeassssseeee post your stats?</p>
<p>@Robots156…not when they are offering you more than 3.4th of that amount as scholarships ;)</p>
<p>maverick…awesome job 
and @abc…art+sciences is something only a few people can carry forward together…great job :)…your combo. already puts you ahead of scores of kids with your same stats. Dont be worried about what they will like…show them what you love…mostly they’ll accept you for that If they don’t …Its their biggest loss :)</p>
<p>@quiverfox Does Cal offer scholarships to international students?! That too, an amazing 75% of the total cost of attendance?</p>
<p>To the OP, there is nothing any other person can answer. You already got answers.</p>
<p>i was a wee bit lucky…:D…from that company i sold my goods to :)</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I feel confident now. At first I thought that showing off my passion for drawing/sketching would be of no use as it isn’t a performing art or a sport and so I would not really be making any significant contribution to the University for them to feel the urge to accept me. But now I feel exactly the opposite!
One last question-What are the other high ranking universities which accept a decent number of Indians , unlike MIT whose acceptance rate for Indians seems unrealistically low?</p>
<p>I believe Cornell and lately UCB take in a large no of indians. No other Ivy League or equivalent college takes in that many…</p>
<p>Hm, alright, looks like maverick put forward a lot of great points. Here’s my 2cents, though, for what it’s worth…
Firstly, realize that you just got ahead of 3/4 of Indian applicants because you know your goals at relatively early, and you also have a great SAT score at hand. So be positive!
- Try the sat again, but only after you’ve done LOT of practice tests and are confident of improving your score. Personally, I did pretty good on my first sat without preparing, thought I’d do better the next time, and dropped by 80 points. So prepare, and try to improve! Sat scores are still pretty important because even ‘super’ applicants do well. Also try the ACT, cause a perfect score looks hot on an app. Take the subject tests one o two at a time. M and C can be taken in 11th, but don’t forget there is a grading curve.
- It’s very nice to see that you like art! So flaunt it! People do send in portfolios as well. If you have a blog, be sure to bring it to notice. And mention how imp. it is to you through your essays. Play on your strengths.
- Getting anywhere in life is neither as easy nor as hard as you think(iit/america/wherever). I’m probably repeating maverick’s advice, but find what you like and work on it. I’m pretty sure universities are starting to realize the ‘olympiad fad’, but do it if you really like it! Focus on one or at most two subjects: the reason most people don’t clear olympiads is cause they confuse passion with producing results. So if it isn’t your thing, don’t stress. Look at internships, research, ISEF, whatever is your thing. But don’t bank on landing one, life isn’t always the most meritocratic in its ways! Have backup plan, and use your summers wisely.
- Keep your school grades up, vital. Don’t listen to the ‘11th is hard, grades fall’ story. It’s easy if you ration your time wisely.
- Again, pick strengths, find your flaws. From your post, it looks like you’ve got a lot going your way, but pick the best ones. That’s what matters in two years. Don’t give up on anything you like doing though.
Once you’ve got your queries out of the way, stay off CC unless you have an imp Q. It’s honestly mentally taxing. You don’t gain much from gauging competition, because you are losing time while doing so. Eyes on the prize, if I must objectify!
And don’t have a dream school, because it’s better not to be disappointed/arrogant haha. All the best, I really hope this helps!</p>