This wont take long! :)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I’m a student from Australia and I want to apply to these colleges:</p>

<li>MIT</li>
<li>University of Pennsylvania</li>
<li>University of Michigan</li>
<li>Carnegie Mellon </li>
<li>NYU</li>
<li>UC Berkeley</li>
</ol>

<p>Im planning on completing a Business degree at one of these schools. </p>

<p>Could someone asses my chances on getting into these universities?!?!</p>

<p>Academics
I am currently in Year 11 over here and will be doing SAT I in June this year and SAT II later next year. </p>

<p>Predicted SAT Scores:
SAT I: 2350-2400
SAT II: 2370-2400</p>

<p>Courses:
Our school system is way different over here, but generally our exam (HSC)are IMO twice as hard as American courses and at least on par with GCSE and IB work.</p>

<p>These are the courses I am taking:
Advanced English (AP Literature equivalent I think…)</p>

<p>Economics (AP Micro and Macroeconomics this year, harder stuff next year)</p>

<p>Software Design and Development (focus on software design not as much practical work although I know Java)</p>

<p>4 Unit Mathematics (Covers ALL calculus, overlaps with college mathematics a bit i think, since we do Conics, Mechanics etc.)</p>

<p>Physics (Harder than AP stuff with more content)</p>

<p>I might do AP exams as well</p>

<p>These courses count for 12 Units of work, which is the optimal workload for all students. NOTE: These are EXTREMELY difficult and long courses!!! </p>

<p>My school does not offer an overall ranking for students. But there are 180 students in the grade and I have ALWAYS come in the top five at the end of the year and I have subesquently won certificates and awards for that. I probably will become Dux of my school.</p>

<p>My ranks will be either First or in the top 5 in my school for these subjects, and I will come top ten in the country for at least some of them. </p>

<p>I currently hold a full scholarship at the most prestigious school in Australia, to the tune of $50,000 or so. </p>

<p>I have studied Chinese before, and I could probably get a 4 or 5 in the SAT II Chinese with Listening test. </p>

<p>EC’s</p>

<p>Honors and Awards:
Academic awards relating to end of year class ranking x 3
Prizes and awards for coming first in subjects x 8
Year 10 Science Competition: High Distinction
Won Australian Plan Your Own Enterprise competition</p>

<p>Athletic Status:
School Basketball - ok
School Soccer - not that good
Martial Arts </p>

<p>Leadership Positions:
President of the Junior Toastmasters Club</p>

<p>Volunteer/Service Work:
School Social Service Programme - worked in school kitchen and nursing homes
Work Experience Programme
Planning on doing more Volunteer work…</p>

<p>Others:
Opinions Writing Group
Cadet Corps
Internship at University of Queensland</p>

<p>Based on these predicted credentials what are my chances of getting into my desired colleges? HOw can I improve my chances? </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>With an SAT score like that I think you would be competitive for all of those schools. Just a few things- SATII is out of 800 and I think you confused the scoring for the SATII Chinese with that of an AP exam (you said 4 or 5, but again, its out of 800). I don't really know anything about how much more difficult it is for foreign applicants, so I can't really be of any real assistance. Your stats look great though, but your ECs look kind of weak.</p>

3

<p>As obaig89 just mentioned, you seem to have misunderstandings about the American University System. </p>

<p>Your ECs seem pretty strong to me but you come off sounding a little pretentious, no offense. First of all, there is really no expecting that you'll get SAT I/II scores as high as you expect (especially since the subject tests are out of 800...). Second, I'm wondering how you can rank the rigor of American AP courses in comparison with your own. Granted, some courses here in the States are easy, but it would be hard to assert (especially to American universities) that your courses are "twice as hard". Third, I really don't understand why a student interested in a Business degree would be applying to the nation's top math/science school....</p>

<p>Just so you know, international students have a harder time than American students in the admissions process.</p>

<p>Having said that...
If you manage to get the scores you're projecting and maybe soften the ego in admissions essays, I could see you having a decent shot getting into the schools you want.</p>

4

<p>Look at the numbers for internationals students admitted to the schools you mentioned (or all schools for that matter) they are pretty low. Also, I agree, try to come off sounding a bit less pretentious.</p>

5

<p>Business at Carnegie Mellon? They're not quite as good as some of the other schools. Have you looked into it much at all?</p>

<p>I wouldn't predict SAT scores. Also, given the rest of your application, SATIIs aren't out of 2400. Again, how much have you looked into this? You also haven't taken any AP exams, and follow by noting that somehow your courses are still twice as hard.</p>

<p>That said, you're a strong applicant. The ranks are fine, the Plan Your Own Enterprise thing is fine. What business did you develop/propose?</p>

<p>In improving your chances -focus on the SAT and standardized tests. Take the APs if you can -given that the same tests are given to Americans, you'd be able to demonstrate how you compare on similar courses. If you do anywhere near as well as you think you can, you'll be fine.</p>

<p>Then go for the essay. And try not to be an ass. Essays are always huge, particularly for international students. There are people with 2400s and people who've won national competitions that don't make it in on the essay -having demonstrated that they can't write, don't fit the college as a person, or both.</p>

<p>Then again, there are people with much, much lower that do get in. And there are, of course, people with 2400s and national competitions that make it in.</p>

<p>Try to demonstrate how well you fit the school. Not as in writing "I would like to go to MIT because...", but just letting the personality come through in something revealing about you.</p>

6

<p>MIT: not predictable, but you seem very competitive with your SAT
UPenn: Again, ivies are always a crapshoot, but i'd say your highly competitive as far as admissions go.
U Michigan, honestly, I have no idea about this school
Carnegie Mellon, no idea either (sorry)
NYU: Safe Match/ Match
UC Berkely: Safe Match/ Match, UC schools try to accept California's best students first, then oos</p>

7

<p>I can help :)</p>

<p>I would be very suprised if U Michigan didn't take you. Your SAT scores are excellent, and so is your entire academic record as a whole. Also, Michigan likes admitting international students, especially ones as competitive as you.
I'm not sure about the other ones, but like everybody else is saying, Ivies are a toss-up, but your chances are apparently better than most.</p>

8

<p>"Junior Toastmasters Club"</p>

<p>hehe</p>

9

<p>Is it just me or has nobody bothered to notice he's said "Predicted SAT Scores"? He basically has no advantage on that front because he's not yet taken the SATs. Lol.</p>

10

<p>Hey, I mentioned it.</p>

11

<p>a very competitive candidate man</p>

12

<p>"SAT II: 2370-2400"</p>

<p>maybe s/he means the total for 3 SAT II tests.</p>

13

<p>Sorry, np99sky. I was more talking to the posters #6 and #7.</p>

14

<p>thanks guys!</p>