<p>Hey everyone.</p>
<p>Here are some details about me:</p>
<p>Nationality - Indian
Gender - Male</p>
<p>I went through a CBSE high school. While not as internationally recognized as the IB or not as supposedly tough as the ICSE board, CBSE is supposed to be quite demanding and intense.</p>
<p>Class 10/Sophomore Year - 95.4%
1. English - 91
2. Sanskrit - 99
3. Math - 98
4. Science - 95
5. Social Sciences - 94</p>
<p>Class 12/Senior Year - 87.4%
1. English - 95
2. Computer Science - 95
3. Math - 86
4. Chemistry - 84
5. Physics - 77</p>
<p>SAT Reasoning Test - 2280/2400
1. Math - 780/800
2. Critical Reading - 770/800
3. Writing - 730/800</p>
<p>SAT Subject Tests - English Lit: 760/800 and Math (Level 2): 790/800</p>
<p>TOEFL - 120/120</p>
<p>Extra-curricular activities:</p>
<ol>
<li>A total of 4 first prizes in debate/extempore/speech events in high school.</li>
<li>Participated in the school's Table Tennis and Soccer teams. Have certificates.</li>
<li>Very, VERY highly ranked in two international-level Olympiads - one English, the other Cyber (by a privately-run organization, though.)</li>
<li>Doing a writing internship with AOL India at the moment. Will be doing it for some time.</li>
<li>Am teaching street kids in an organization. Will have logged in 50hrs by the time applications are due.</li>
</ol>
<p>I plan to study English there, by the way.</p>
<p>So, thoughts? Please be honest!</p>
<p>You should be fine. The Physics grade is a blemish, but you look very strong in every other field.</p>
<p>Obviously, your test scores are great, your extra-curriculars are impressive and your sophomore year grades are fine. Where are your junior year grades and how would you explain the downward trend in your grades? Other than that, you look like an excellent candidate. Have you already graduated from high school?</p>
<p>Hi.</p>
<p>I only posted grades from these two years because they are the “important” ones in India. The examinations for these two years are conducted by the Board and the ones for Freshman and Junior Year are conducted just by the school.</p>
<p>I actually got just 78.4% in Junior Year. Will that be a huge blemish? This is all par for the course in the Indian education system, by the way. But maybe the drastic uptick in the Senior Year scores will alleviate that?</p>
<p>Yes, I have already graduated from high school. This is gap year for me; I moved away from my parents to a different city and started living alone. I’m spending my time volunteering and interning with AOL India and becoming “more independent.” This was the acid test my parents set because no one in my family has gone abroad for studies till now and they were queasy about my prospects of living independently so far away.</p>
<p>The gap year sounds like a great idea. Other than somewhat low grades after sophomore year, you have very impressive credentials. Work hard on an essay and good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you very much! I’ll work hard on the essay. Will it be okay if I PM it to you so you can have a look at it?</p>