<p>I’m a 10th grader from India, interested in biology. I’m also female, if that helps .</p>
<p>Will be applying for class of 2014.</p>
<p><em>Won’t be needing financial aid</em></p>
<p>Let’s split this up into sub-fields, so that it’s easier to read.</p>
<p>Grades:Awesome. Top few students in the class. No problems here.</p>
<p>Standardized tests: Taking the ACT in October, let’s see how it goes, but I’m getting 34’s in practise tests from the Rea ACT Book. SAT 2’s should be pretty good as well.</p>
<p>EC’s (where I think I need to focus):</p>
<p>National level athlete
Zillions of sports at the school level
Heavy involvement in MUN.
School magazine stuff.
Over the next 2 years, I’ll probably be highly involved with in-school and some state-level cultural activities.
Gonna start biological research in a few months.
Plan to do quite a bit of volunteer work from next summer on (I’ll have a 2 or 3-month break in May)</p>
<p><em>These EC’s are the ones I’ll be continuing till I’m done with school</em></p>
<p>Recs: Should be pretty good. I’m on amazing terms with all my teachers</p>
<p>Essays: Expect them to be good, I feel I’m quite a good writer</p>
<p>Amherst’s open curriculum sounds awesome. It’s New England location is also a great plus point (for me at least). The small size and atmosphere all fit with what I’m looking for in a college. Might I be there in 2010?</p>
<p>However the OP is a sophomore sitting in India, intending to apply as an international student and who has not taken the SATs. No one can offer her any perspective on her chances and she is wasting people's time trying. It is terribly naive and presumptuous. She, in fact, does need to go out, get a life and accumulate real-life experiences that can better serve her in her applications, rather than sit at home on the computer obsessing about her chances at the most elite US colleges. BTW, she has posted elsewhere:</p>
<p>I want Brown. Do you think Brown would want me?
I like Bowdoin, think I can be there?
Think Pomona would want me?
Think Amherst and I can 'happen'?
Duke - Is it possible?
Do you think I can land up at Hanover in a couple of years' time?
How am I looking?
Am I on the right track? Tell me and...</p>
<p>While I am more than happy to be supportive of those genuinely needing and accepting the advice of the group on CC, I am put off though by those who are so far off the beam that they strain the credibility of the group. More direct and straightforward feedback is often called for on CC. </p>
<p>Or are you suggesting that we should simply open new sections on CC called "Lonely Hearts Club" and "The Mutual Admiration Society?"</p>
<p>Well from the perspective of another int'l student from India, I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with her research so far. When I was in the 10th grade, I had no idea about what I wanted to do for college, and probably the only US college I could've named was Harvard. That led to a terribly researched college list, with no matches and just one safety (where I am now). So, while maybe the OP doesn't need to be this intense this early, it really might help her later on. </p>
<p>And for the record, I think you have a decent shot at it. The people I know from my school who got into UPenn, Wellesley, Brown, et all, had similar high school records. Just concentrate on the boards if you're in the ICSE/CBSE system.</p>
<p>"Go get a life"
So Ballet, how is life as a pot?
I believe the OP might say life as a kettle is rather pleasant.
Reprimands on a college admissions forum are, of course, quite possibly the strongest indicator that the one issuing the reprimand does indeed have a life, and that the reprimanded does not have said life.</p>
<p>I think it is wonderful that you are starting to look to your choices now, instead of panicking next year. As to Balletgirl, you know there really are rude people in all cultures. I am sorry that you had to run into one this early. I have met a lot of the Amherst students, and am sure I never met this one, since the ones I met were nice and helpful. Many of us started our college searches early in order to have the time to truly investigate the schools and cull the list down to a manageable 8-10. When the time comes, make sure your essays are truly great, and you show who you are. Good luck!</p>