Questions

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hey guys</p>

<p>I'm new to the forum and really in need of advice. I'm a year 12 girl in sydney, australia and I have recently taken to the idea of going to a US college. Here is my dilemma: firstly, I think it would only be worth the time and effort at this stage to prepare for the sats and college applications (i'm looking at fall 2007), if I know I at least stand a chance at getting into the ivies, and yet I have no idea where I stand. On the one hand I feel that my resume would be no where near impressive enough and on the other, I don't know to what extent I can make up for that in other areas.</p>

<p>So firstly, (i'm sorry this is turning into another what are my chances thread) but i'd really appreciate it if you could read what I could offer so far (EC-wise)in an application:</p>

<p>Gold duke of edinburgh award (100 hours community service as part of this)
Selected to attend Australian National Leadership Camp
3rd place (2 years) at Australian Heads of Independent Girls Schools Speaking Competition (current affairs section)
Senior Counsel on school team for Bond University Mooting Competition 2005 (involved reading high court case on constitutional law and mooting based on similar concepts)
Passed Intermediate (8th grade) BBO ballet exam with merit
First places in National Chinese Reading Eisteddfod (but i only participated when I was younger)
Life saving awards (highest level achieved was Bronze Cross), qualified in Senior First Aid
Member of school debating team
Member of school choir
Member of school Interact club
Volunteer for Salvation Army Red Shield Appeals
School Prefect</p>

<p>As you can see, I don't really have any outstanding talents, or at least if I do I haven't chosen to pursue any in any great depth. Things are so different here in australia, and the emphasis is really on participating on a wide range of activities rather than excelling at one or two. The thing is, I don't know whether I can make up for the above very average EC-list with academic achievements (which are also good but not outstanding):</p>

<p>Distinctions and High Distinctions and medals in various Australiasian Schools Competitions (english, maths, science, computing)

<p>(So possibly):
Dux of a very prestegious private girls school plus several other academic
prizes
UAI of 99.9 or above (i.e. top 0.1% of state for final year exams)
Top of the state in one or two subjects
Mention on Premier's list for all-round excellence
Scholarships to various unis here in australia</p>

<p>So what do you think my chances are? I know I'm giving a very incomplete picture (in asking you to assume that I get the above academic achievements, do brilliantly on the sats, write brilliant essays and get brilliant references), but like I said, what I'd like to know now is if I put my very best effort will I have a chance at ivies? Cos I can't change what I've achieved in the past and it's a bit too late now to add anything to the list, but can that be remedied if I try hard enough? (oh and also taking into account that the only sat scores I'll submit will be from the last available test date - i don't know whether this gives a negative impression)</p>

<p>And my second question is, I know that my real talent and passion lie in firstly literature and secondly language learning, but there haven't been any opportunities in the past for me to demonstrate this. But I really do believe, in regards to literary analysis in particular, that what I would have to offer would be quite considerable. Do you think there could be any way to convey this to the admissions people? Would talent in such a field be impressive or appreciated in any way?</p>

<p>And lastly, I would like to know everyone's opinions, particularly those of students from Australia (or even better Sydney) on which which calibre of US colleges would be worth going over there for. I'm quite unfamiliar with all of this. So obviously everyone's dream would be the ivies or comparable institutions like MIT, stanford etc. But do you think going over there will really be much more beneficial for you and worth it in the long run, than say doing an arts/law degree with a scholarship from the university of sydney? where are you guys drawing the line as to 'I will only go if I get into these unis and above', and why?</p>

<p>Thanks for reading this and sorry for such a long post.</p>

2

<p>Sorry, just something I forgot to mention:
with my extra-curricular things, another issue with all that even the little bits of it that sound impressive aren't really all that impressive in reality (e.g. national leadership camp wasn't difficult at all to be selected for, it was very random, and 'australian heads...' speaking comp was hardly australia wide, maybe like 25 schools involved at the most.) so just to clarify things in order for you to make an accurate assessment. On the other hand, how do you clarify such things to colleges? Will they go and look up what things mean themselves, cos wouldn't it be somehow dishonest in simply putting down the title of your achievement without telling them how much it actually means in reality?</p>

3

<p>I think it'd be good for you to delve deeper into public speaking/debating, since it's the one thing that stands out in your ECs. I'd love to do this stuff, but my stupid school screwed up our registration for the All-Asians debating competition...it would have looked so good on my app if I had went (I was already chosen to represent the school). :(</p>

<p>If you're absolutely brilliant in literature, I think some universities (e.g. Harvard) wouldn't mind accepting samples of your work. You have to be a genius, though, not just very good. (Take music for instance; a lot of applicants are good or even very good musicians, but that doesn't count for anything unless they're the next Yo-Yo Ma.)</p>

<p>Since you seem to be leaning towards humanities subjects, it might be a good idea to consider LACs which can provide an excellent education, if not the prestige that would come from the Ivies. Often these colleges are eager to take in students of Ivy calibre but who for some reason didn't make the cut. (A few examples might be Grinnell, Macalaster, etc.) Williams and Swarthmore are a couple of really prestigious LACs which you might be interested in.</p>

<p>One thing which would have a lot of impact on your chances are whether or not you require financial aid. If you don't, your chances are massively boosted. If you do, you might be screwed. (This doesn't apply if you only look at international student need-blind universities/colleges such as HYP.)</p>

<p>It's a good idea to consider whether you really want to go to America and why. The University of Sydney isn't a slouch when it comes to academia, so why are you interested in the US? Do you prefer their "liberal arts" system which emphasises a well-rounded education for the sake of learning, instead of the more focused educational system in most Commonwealth countries?</p>

4

<p>Thanks for replying. yeah, i don't know why exactly i want to go overseas. i suppose just to broaden my horizons, to give myself more opportunities. i mean, i could probably have a very attractive future here too, but when i even begin to look beyond australia - it just seems so much better! i do love the idea of a liberal arts education - though the only downside in my mind is afterwards you'd have to go to a grad school before you'd get any kind of work right? whereas here, yes i'd really love to do postgrad stuff but i'd be doing it part time. </p>

<p>yeah, ivies aside - what do you think my chances for the top liberal arts colleges like williams might be?</p>

<p>ahh i really need to get off this forum and get this whole us thing off my mind! i've got so much other important school work to do!</p>