<p>Senior, Class of 2008
Washington State Resident, but immigrant, i came when i was 8th grade
1st gen college kid (parents didn't go to US colleges) <-advantage?or disad?</p>
<p>GPA: 3.639
class rank: 111/almost 500
taken SAT 2 times
Oct, 2007 SAT
SAT Reading: 490
Math: 780
take it again in December
SAT II
Chinese: 800</p>
<p>taken AP calc AB<-5, AP physics<-3,
1 year of Honos English
almost 200 hours of community service TAing in weekend Chinese school
and other volunteering in food banks, Vision Link, National Honor Society,
played sports, but no Varsity
that's all i can think of ...</p>
<p>(if you know...) how can I make my Essay stand out?</p>
<p>You seem like a strong candidate. The only problem I see is your SAT reading score. If you study regularly, you can bring it up -- especially if vocabulary is your weak point. That is perfectly understandable, given that you are an immigrant, but you will be expected to be able to read and write at a high level for college.</p>
<p>Being the first generation to go to college is a plus for you. As for your essay, write it from your heart. The obvious choice would be to make it be about coming to America, your feelings about leaving your home country behind, how you have adapted and changed by being here, etc. Have a couple of people read it with critical eye -- your English teacher, plus another adult who is a native English speaker. Rewrite as needed.</p>
<p>definitely agree with moomimama. I have heard that many successful essays come from comparing one's home country with that of America-and the dreams, passions, and actions of citizens of those countries. Be sure you have teacher or adult read it over as well, it REALLY helps.</p>