<p>Korean international student in Canada (came to Canada in Sep 2000)</p>
<p>Rank: 1/109
GPA: 95%
Full IB Diploma Candidate</p>
<p>SAT: 2260 (800 math, 710 cr, 750 writing)
SAT II: math 2c 800, physics 800, chem 790</p>
<p>Extracurriculars listed
- Varsity Basketball Team - co-captain, all-star
- Canadian Blood Services Youth Committee - Vice-President Operations
- Northern Alberta Brain Injury Society Youth Org. - Vice-President Operations and Finances
- Science Olympics / Mathematics Club - Team Captain/ Club President
- Biotech Research - Team Leader
- Grad Council - Treasurer
- Performing Arts Orchestra - 1st Trumpet</p>
<p>Work Experience
- Tutoring
- Heritage Youth Researcher Summer (HYRS) Program (summer research program at U of Alberta)
- English-Korean translation</p>
<p>On the common app additional info section, I basically explained in more detail what I've done in each of those activities.</p>
<p>Awards
- various math awards (including 13th in Alberta in Alberta high school math comp., 5 in AIME)
- some science awards (including 2nd in Edmonton in Science Olympics and 1st in Alberta in Michael Smith Science Challenge)
- 10+ school subject awards (given to students who get highest mark in the subject)</p>
<p>Interview
I got an interview for all three; I thought it went alright. (No disasters)</p>
<p>I also sent an additional reference letter from one of my volunteer organizations</p>
<p>Strengths: good essays, many leadership positions? well-rounded?
Weakness: generic?</p>
<p>asked for finaid, but the schools specifically said that they are need-blind even to intls.
what are my chances at MIT, Harvard, and Princeton? Thanks in advance for replying.</p>
<p>they are need blind for international students. infact, MIT, Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, Williams College, and Middlebury College are all need-blind for international students.</p>
<p>I am the parent of a senior and would like to respectfully share my thoughts. After a certain threshold, let's day 2200, higher SAT scores lose their importance, same with SAT 2. These scores are used as a first cut. I believe adcoms then see if you have taken the toughest curriculum your school offers. Year by year, subject by subject they probably look to see if you have ascended to the next higher subject. They expect 4 years of English incl literature, 4 of foreign language, 4 of math and 4 of sciences. Actual study and grades because of imortance of performance in class. Someone with all sorts of AP exams, Micro and Macro Econ, Geography, etc will be laughed out if these do not form part of an ascending core subject group. You will come across as pretentious. If I were an adcom I will value someone who has 2 APs, the only 2 his school offers but in solids like Latin or Calculus to someone who has a mass of APs in Stats, Environ Sci, especially if they are just exams. Contrary to popular view, beyond AB Calculus this too loses value. Calculus in college is taught differently, so adcoms are not impressed by Asian math grinds with diff algebra. One or two extra curriculars pursued thru all 4 years shows dedication, seriousness and someone not out to impress. The more the ECs the less value, I think. It shows a superficial engagement. Everyone in college business knows student research is adult managed. So, all that neuroscience at Rockefeller U merely means some prof allowed you some credit. I am not responding to a particular post, just general thoughts on admissions. It is very damaging to game the admissions process. Take acad solids, do one or two ecs you want to do, be different, follow your unique interests and your life itself will be fulfilling, not just the next 4 years.</p>