Dear everyone!
My name is Kamil and I’m currently a student at a secondary school in the UK, studying A levels. My nationality is Polish and I came to study in the UK in September 2014 as I wanted to challenge myself by improving my English and getting better quality of education. However, the “dramatic” change of language resulted in me struggling to achieve “good” (ABDD) grades during my first year. (known as the AS level). However since then I improved greatly, mostly because I was studying English very hard, with my average standard of work from Economics and Maths being at a B+ level.
So now you may think “what is he therefore trying to tell us?”.
As I have no comparison nor any stats for students from the UK at American universities, I was wondering if any of you have some knowledge on what are average stats for international students at my choice of school, what factors are considered for admission and what chances, in your opinion, I have for getting into these schools. (I would also appreciate any suggestions of schools that would be a good fit for me).
I’m applying for Business Management/Entrepreneurship to the following: Arizona State University, Morningside College, Baruch College, Babson College, Quinnipiac University, Seton Hall University, Pepperdine University, DePaul University, University of Illinois at Chicago, Florida State University and Syracuse University. Babson, Florida State and Syracuse are probably my reaches, if not impossible, but I would still love to hear your opinion!
My stats are:
AS level grades:
- Economics B
- Polish A
- Maths D
- History D
A level grades (AS + A2, which is the overall grade for the end of secondary school)
- Polish A*
- Maths B (predicted)
- Economics A (predicted)
- History C (predicted)
My IELTS (english proficiency):
- Overall 7.5
- reading 8
- writing 7
- listening 7.5
- speaking 7
My SAT:
- Overall 1720
- critical reading 470
- maths 680
- writing 570
And as I know, extracurricular activities are also very important, however unlike in the US they’re not very popular in the UK as there are very little opportunities (my opinion) if you’re boarding at a countryside school like I do. Nevertheless I tried my hardest, not for the application as I had no idea they will be considered (not considered for entry in the UK), but for my own satisfaction, to take part in as many activities as I could. Here are the ones I did/do:
- Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award (almost finished after 1.5 year, only expedition left)
- Student Investor Challenge
- Local primary school help/teaching
- Maths tutoring (I know, I know, I got a D in the exam but it REALLY doesn’t reflect my Maths skill/knowledge)
- Player at my schools basketball team (unbeaten through the season)
- Basketball Club
- Money Management General Studies
- Law General Studies
And lastly, I have 3 Honors from my school in Poland (last 2 years as they’ll also be considered for admission):
- Diploma with Honors (year 10)
- Lauerate of the Voievodeship English Competition (year 10)
- Middle School Project (top marks on the topic “How weapons changed/improved throughout the time”) also year 10.
Thank you very much for any feedback/comments! I appreciate every opinion! Take care everyone.
Kamil
