What are my chances of getting admission into the ivies, MIT, and UCB?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’ve applied to MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Princeton and UCB.

Here are my stats:

SAT: 1390 (Yeah, that test really went quite bad, owing to some personal circumstances, but hope that the college admission officers won’t take my application down because of it)
SAT II: Perfect 800’s on three SAT Subject Tests (Mathematics + Physics + Chemistry)
TOEFL: 107
Class 9: 92% marks (ICSE)
Class 10: 96% marks (ICSE)
Class 11: 95% marks (CBSE)
Class 12: 93% marks (CBSE [first trimester; I’m still in the high school])
Other Awards and Recognitions: 13 international ranks in olympiads, 8 national ranks, 6 state ranks, and 8 district ranks (I’m talking about some of the major ranks, worthy to be noted)
Extracurricular activities: I have a bit less record in this field, but here’s what I have done so far. I’ve voluntarily worked as a tutor for some of my fellow classmates and juniors. I’ve worked on a number of science projects, including building robots or demonstrating some of the most important science principles (I could not submit a maker’s portfolio, again owing to some personal circumstances). I’ve also participated in a number of sports events, winning a number of medals at school and district level.
Work Experience: I’ve got a work experience of four years as a published writer and author worldwide. I now have my own team of about 250 international writers and hope to open a company soon (though some really close person will be handling this team once I go for studies in US). I’ve also worked as a freelancer (I guess it was about 3 - 4 years ago).
AP: I am currently enrolled in six AP courses (1 chemistry, 1 mathematics, and 4 physics), and shall be giving their examinations this year.

Do you guys think I’ve a chance of earning admission into any of the universities I’ve applied?

PS: I’m a bit worried, mainly because I haven’t participated in any research work, interns or any official company project. They’re simply uncommon in India, and almost no one knows that you can participate in researches when still in high school. I was even working on an app development project (it was a personal project), but was quite discouraged by almost each of my relatives, saying that making it live (and a bit famous too :P) might be too costly for my family to bear, and I might not be able to handle thefts of my application, if I managed to get it live. Yet, I’ve worked as a leader, have taken a number of risks and decisions on my own, while working as a team leader of more than 250 writers. Ohh, and maybe I did not mention this above, I’ve trained them personally to be able to always develop the content that they have been asked. Also, I’ve managed to change most of their lives, since most of them belonged to that section of society that had its talent unused and unpolished. Almost each of my writer is now working full-time for me (and the person whom I love the most {not my GF, BTW :P}), and earns a decent salary to get themselves a nice status in the society.

BTW, I’m looking forward towards majoring in Computer Science from one of the above-mentioned universities.

2

You’re in a tough spot. To be blunt: your low SAT will very quickly put you on the ropes during the review process. Your devotion to your olympiads might help a little, but computer science is generally the hardest major to get into at most schools, and I wouldn’t be surprised if all of the places you applied to rejected you, especially if you can’t afford to pay their full tuition and fees. If you really want to go to a university in the U.S., you better have applied to some less-selective ones.

3

Your SAT is very low for ivies and there is nothing exceptional about the rest of your profile.

4

Completely agree with the poster above me. Also keep in mind that the international acceptance rate for these schools is around 3-4%, lower than the overall rate. For instance, last year, MIT took 3.1% of international applicants. Indian students make up a large amount of the international applicant pool so that doesn’t help your case either.

5

Thanks for all of your advices!

Well, isn’t there any way I can get through the process? Unlike other candidates, I’ve quite a considerable amount of work experience, I have my own team of writers (internationally), I’ve won a number of national and international awards (most probably, the other candidates have earned them too), etc…

6

There isn’t really another way you “can get through the process.” Like everyone else, they’ll review all parts of your application. You’re work experience sounds pretty interesting, and I’m sure that made for some great essays. Frankly, you just don’t seem to stand out. There are tons of other applicants like you. While your sat is a great score, it’s just not really up to par with these schools. I hope you applied to some matches and safeties; even though there’s a chance of you getting into these schools, it’ll be very difficult and you need some schools that fit you better academically.

7

“Well, isn’t there any way I can get through the process?”

In a word: no.

8

Maybe Berkeley. The others are very unlikely.

9

I meant, "Don’t they check other parts of the application if your SAT score is a bit low? I’ve worked well on my essays, I’ve got some awesome teacher’s recommendations, I’ve put up all my ranks in a separate document and mailed to the universities, I’ve put in all my work experience there, I’ve portrayed my leadership skills, risk-taking abilities, and other skills via my work experience, I’ve shown that I’ve been academically better than others via the olympiad results, and everything else on the application. Will all my efforts go in vain just because of that 1390 SAT score? Would they simply overlook rest parts of the application just by having a glimpse at my SAT scores? I’ve performed well in SAT Subject Tests and TOEFL, I guess. Would they be simply overlooking everything?

10

Your problem is that you are an international candidate and you come from a country where every other citizen wants to come to the US and major in CS. Your countrymen are coming with higher scores. (Just read some of the posts on this site.) Its all about test scores and GPA. EC’s help but they are secondary in selection.

The universities need to build a class and they look for students who look like they will add something different and unique to the class.

The schools can look at your record and say, “why does he need this university education if he is already claiming success where he is?”

11

A lot of colleges say they’re “holistic” which I think is the word you’re looking for. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that while they look at everything, having an SAT that low as an international admit will really hurt you. Kingbibi had a really good description in that that would put you on the ropes quickly. Maybe you can fight your way back with ECs at some of these places, but remember, the people they’re admitting internationally may have everything you have, and a perfect SAT and GPA. Hopefully you applied to some safeties, I don’t think you’ll get in any of those places, especially for CS.

12

@ProGenius You definitely have an impressive profile, but your SAT Score is going to hurt you severely.
My sincere advice is that you take a Gap-Year and prepare well for your SAT. Within that time frame, you may also indulge in some more EC’s.

Olympiads are a big plus point in your application. If you manage to get a 1500+ on the SAT, then you do have a shot in these top-tier colleges.