What are my chances at Harvard, Yale and Northwestern?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I am an international student from South Korea, currently attending an international school in South Korea.
I have 1550 on New SAT, 800 for Math 2, 800 for World History, and 800 for Literature.
Our school is an IB school, so I have gotten into a full IB-Diploma Program.
I have taken: English A HL, History HL, Korean A HL, Theatre HL, Chemistry SL, and Mathematics SL. On the IB exams, I have gotten all 7’s except for English, which I got a 6.
I took IB Philosophy and Film online, getting all 7’s, and took AP Literature and Composition online, ending up with a 5.
I also took online writing course called “Gotham Writers” on fiction writing, screenwriting and comedy writing.
Speaking of extracurriculars, I have served as a member of Student Council for 3 years — Vice in my junior year, and President in my senior year for the Student Council Chair(meaning for the whole high school, not just a grade).
I have founded the Korean Association for Children with Leukemia and Cancer(KACLC) Club, in collaboration with the association and have made around 15 wishes of children with severe illnesses as a club(examples of wishes were getting a macbook, meeting a K-pop star, going to an amusement park, etcetera. All money collected through fundraising)
I have participated in various drama productions, including musicals which I have always gotten lead roles, and I was nearly scouted by an actors agency with my performance. I am also a part of a community theatre group outside of school, which is a group of young aspiring actors and actresses.
I have a great interest in writing. I have been in a publication class of my school since freshmen year, becoming the editor-in-chief in my junior year. I have also written in a magazine called Teen 10 Magazine(magazine for English speaking teenagers in Korea), and served as a Editor-in-chief since my sophomore year.
With my interest in helping ill children, I volunteered for Samsung Seoul Hospital(biggest hospital in Korea) for 3 years. And inspired by a few children I’ve met during this experience, for my personal project, I have written a 200 page novel, which was published in Korea. It sold quite a few copies, and I have donated all profits to the KACLC Association.
I have been in JV basketball team in my freshman year, and Varsity since sophomore year, and have become the captain in my senior year.
I have worked with Save the Children Korea for all 4 years in my high school, volunteering there during every school breaks. I was a translator – translating letters from the sponsored children into the Korean sponsors(English to Korean).
Plus, I have hosted a podcast for teenagers, getting the most number of downloads out of all teenage podcasts. I also have written few scripts for it too – which made it to the actual recording.

Lastly, since my sophomore year, I have worked as a staff member in professional musical and play sets, and also worked as a tour guide for foreigners staying in this youth hostel, travelling with them all around Seoul.

I have written my essay, and received recommendation letters from my counselor, newspaper teacher, and English teacher.

I would like to pursue writing and acting in my undergraduate years. I have once gotten a B in English during my freshmen year. Will that drag me down?

How are my chances?

2

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

3

Your chances are as good as the vast majority of other accomplished high school students who apply to these universities. The admissions statistics speak for themselves, and these schools are among the most competitive in the world for admission.

Are you also looking at other outstanding US universities that have somewhat higher rates of acceptance?

4

Hi, I’m also an international student, currently studying in Taiwan
I think it is a high match in Northwestern, which means you should give a shot. However, it is kind of hard for Harvard and Yale. This is why:
Based on personal experience, the international pool is extremely competitive. I know people (my friends) who are competing for the same spots. They have one or more of the following achievements:

  1. Same academic achievements as yours, and the representative of Taiwan for International Biology Olympiad (won gold medal at last).
  2. Same academic achievements as yours, and the representative of Taiwan for ISEF final round. Won silver medal at last.
  3. Same academic achievements as yours (she also take IB), and first place in national piano competition (federal one).
  4. Same academic achievements as yours, had an intern in Stanford, representative of Korea in a famous international competition (I will not specify it as I know she doesn’t like people to know it).
  5. Same academic achievements as yours, one of the representative of Korea for an international debate competition. She is also an active MUN participant and chair in international conference. She got accepted to Columbia at last.
    For the list above, they also have balanced life style: which means they also play sport and organise volunteers.
    I’m also trying to apply to Harvard, and this is my chance me:
    http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1906955-harvard-john-hopkins-cornell-cornell-chances.html#latest
    (I don’t think I’m getting into it, however, I’ll still give a shot)
5

I think you’re really impressive and I can sense your passion for your various volunteer commitments. I think you stand as good a chance as other international applicants who will try to distinguish themselves with “writing/volunteering” - what you should do now is to make sure your essays are amazing (especially since your spike is writing) and heartfelt (might be good to write on your volunteer work with a unique perspective) and leave it up to fate (and the admissions officers). Please make sure to apply to more than these 3 schools as well, for sure.