What univeristy can I go to? Please Help!!!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi. I am an Indian male living in Singapore going to an international school. I have just turned 17 and have started 11th grade a few months ago. I will be applying to universities in about a year's time. Could anyone please tell me what sorts of universities I can apply to with the following qualifications. Note, these are the qualifications I have currently, so it is likely I will have more by the time I apply. I am undertaking the International Baccalaureate program. I am thinking of applying to the US (undergraduate level) for one of the following as majors (or minors): human biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, political science, economics, history, ethics. I am also planning to apply to the UK for one of the following: history, economics, biochemistry or MAYBE medicine.</p>

<p>Predicted IB Score:
At present (after first prediction): 40-41
Likely to be: 43-45 (hopefully)</p>

<p>IB Subjects: At higher level (Biology, Chemistry and Economics)
At standard level (Chinese B, English Lang/Lit and Mathematics)</p>

<p>Although I don't study it anymore, I also have a strong passion for History.</p>

<p>SAT I Score:
Haven't done them yet. Doing them soon. First attempt will be likely to be somewhere around a 2100-2150 judging from practice tests.</p>

<p>SAT II Score:
Haven't done them yet. Planning on taking Biology, Chemistry and another subject test (undecided).</p>

<p>Teacher Recommendations:
Likely to be good. Not much development as of yet as I am new to 11th grade.</p>

<p>ECAs:</p>

<p>In School</p>

<ol>
<li>Leader of History Club (Grade 9 and 10)</li>
<li>Grade 9 History Award and Grade 10 History Award</li>
<li>Awarded "Most reputed tutee" award in class.</li>
<li>Vice Chair of Bombay Leprosy Project (helps fundraise for lepers in Bombay) (Grade 10)</li>
<li>Recently became Chairman of Bombay Leprosy Project (in school) (Grade 11-12)</li>
<li>Short term member of SHILPA GC (group supporting a school for the mentally disabled in India)</li>
<li>Member of the School Ambassador Committee (helps look after new students, organize school events, student body communications)</li>
<li>Member of the forum committee (helps organize forums regarding contemporary topics, world issues, economic problems in school)</li>
<li>Previously worked as a journalist for two school magazines.</li>
<li>Volunteering/volunteered for numerous charitable organizations</li>
<li>Singapore Airlines MINDS Center for mentally disabled
-Helping organize activities for primary children at my school </li>
<li>Volunteering at a home run by the Red Cross</li>
<li>Volunteering at Make-a-wish foundation Singapore. Administrative Work mainly.</li>
<li>Selected as delegate to represent school at Harvard Model Congress Asia 2013. Part of Arab League Committee</li>
</ol>

<p>It is also likely that I will be joining an ethics society, a Medical Society and a tutoring program for younger students in school. I may also try my hand at developing an iPhone app - as I have gained knowledge of how to do this from a course.</p>

<p>I have also undertaken the National Youth Achievement Award in Singapore - it is also offered by some other countries.</p>

<ol>
<li>NYAA Bronze Award</li>
<li>NYAA Silver Award</li>
<li>Will be getting NYAA Gold Award this year</li>
</ol>

<p>Expeditions:</p>

<p>NYAA Bronze trip: Pulao Ubin Island (Trekking on island)
NYAA Silver Trip: Hong Kong (Trekking in mountains)
NYAA Gold Trip: Perth (Trekking in mountains)
Discover Korea Expedition: Seoul (Trekking in mountains)
Chiang Mai (Thailand): White Water Rafting
Tioman (Indonesia): Kayaking</p>

<p>I will also be traveling to Tioman for a HL Biology field course this April/May.</p>

<p>Outside of School:</p>

<ol>
<li>Tennis experience of almost 7 years (2 years on school team)</li>
<li>1st degree black belt in karate. Likely to be 2nd degree black belt by the time applications start. Almost 6 years experience so far. Style is influenced by taekwondo and so I am able to perform many kicks.</li>
<li>Hindustani Classical Vocal Music training for 5 years. Also participated in group performances at cultural festivals in Singapore.</li>
<li>Learning Chinese outside of school.</li>
<li>I am fluent in 4 languages: English, Hindi, Marathi(Indian dialect) and Chinese (relatively fluent).</li>
<li>Knowledge of several types of computer software - word, excel, powerpoint, bento, dreamweaver.</li>
</ol>

<p>I was considering schools such as UCLA, UC Berkeley, Johns Hopkins and MAYBE Brown (I'm not really targeting Ivy League Schools but advice on them would be great!). But I really doubt I would get in. Can someone please tell me if this in indeed true, and if so, how can I boost my chances of getting admission? If any kind visitors also have advice on boosting chances for UK universities, the information would be much appreciated :)</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>Also forgot to mention. I have taken the (I)GCSEs - these are equivalent to O-levels or 10th grade exams and are commonly considered more difficult than the British GCSEs.</p>

<p>SCORES</p>

<p>Cambridge International Examinations Board:</p>

<p>CIM Mathematics A
ICT A*
Economics A*
English Literature A*
Chinese Foreign Language A*
Co-ordinated Science A<em>/A</em> (Double Award)</p>

<p>Edexcel Examinations Board:</p>

<p>English Language A*
History A*</p>

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<p>Please help! I am an international student so I really don’t have much of clue as to the regards of the application process + the likes and dislikes of university admissions officers from the US! Any advice would be appreciated!</p>

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<p>Major and budget please… then we can recommend schools for you.</p>

5

<p>Fair enough! Say if I were to pick a biochemistry major? What universities could I possibly get into? Which would be a good match? Will I be able to get into the ones I have mentioned in my initial post? As for my budget, I would be preferring to attend a school for which annual school fees are USD 60,000 or below.</p>

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<p>UCLA: Match (if full-freight)
Berkeley: Match (if full-freight)
JHU: Reach (it’s more reachable than Brown)
Brown: Reach</p>

<p>Try U Washington, UBC or U Wisconsin…</p>

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<p>Thank you so much!</p>

<p>Another quick question! What sort of chance would I stand in the following universities?</p>

<p>-Emory
-Rutgers
-UCSD
-UC Davis
-Middlebury College</p>

<p>My parents have also been insistent on me applying to CORNELL. Personally, I’m not too keen on it but I don’t really mind applying to Cornell as both their academics and ECAs look amazing. However I have heard that it is very tough to get in. Would I stand any chance at all?</p>

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<p>Emory: High match
Rutgers: Safety
UCSD: Low match
UC Davis: Safety
Middlebury: High match</p>

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<p>Thanks for replying so promptly @BuBBLES FoR SALE!!!</p>

<p>Would anyone also have any idea regarding my chances at:</p>

<p>-NYU
-Cornell
-Rice University
-USC
-University of Notre Dame
-Georgetown University
-Carnegie Mellon</p>

<p>Again! Sorry for listing so many universities but I really have no clue as to where I should apply and I am anxious about my application considering my unfortunately low SAT score prediction, my ECAs, my teacher recs and the fact that I am an international student!</p>

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<p>2150 (if you get it) is by no means a low score. Considering your “many” achievements - I’d suggest you put some effort into the SAT and score 2300+.</p>

<p>Basically, if you are at the top of your class then you CAN apply to any university in the world, even the Ivies, and have a good chance of getting in, and I’m not kidding.</p>

<p>All the univ you listed (except Cornell & maybe CMU) are practical matches or safeties for you. Follow this process and I bet you’ll have a better idea after it–

  1. List out the probable majors you’d like to pursue.
  2. List out your other priorities - country/etc.
  3. Go to topuniversities.com( their ranking’s the most accurate) and make a list of universities. Or alternatively use collegesearch on CC or on collegeboard.
  4. Then see the admission stats for the universities & maybe check out admission decisions on CC to see how you stack up against those admitted.
  5. Keep shortlisting and once your list is ~ 15, then visit the websites and check out if you are willing to spend your next 4 yrs there!!</p>

<p>And then you will have your final list of colleges!! All the Best!! :)</p>

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<p>@rishav17</p>

<p>Thank You so much for the excellent advice. You clearly wrote out these steps for me and now I know exactly what to do!</p>

<p>If you don’t mind sharing - what sort of scores did you receive on your SAT I Reasoning and your SAT II subject tests? And what sort of universities did you apply to?</p>

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<p>-NYU: Low match
-Cornell: Reach
-Rice University: Reach
-USC: High match
-University of Notre Dame: Reach
-Georgetown University: Reach
-Carnegie Mellon: Reach
-Emory: Match
-Rutgers: Safety
-UCSD: Low match
-UC Davis: Safety
-Middlebury College: Reach</p>

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<p>@uniproblems - Your welcome!!</p>

<p>I got 2180 and a 780/760 in Math/Phy. And I applied to all reaches and no safeties!! :stuck_out_tongue:
Pton,Dartmouth,Cornell,Northwestern,Upenn,Columbia!! :D</p>

<p>But that’s because I decided that I will only go to U.S.A. for undergrad if I get into the TOP universities.</p>

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<p>@rishav17 </p>

<p>THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE HELP AND THE GREAT ADVICE</p>

<p>@Catricia</p>

<p>Thanks so much for rating the schools. I was just wondering if you could specify what exactly is meant by “reach”. Does it mean I am just barely making the boundary, or does it mean that I have to work harder to get in. And if I do need to work harder to get in, what sorts of things would anyone recommend? Thanks! :)</p>

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<p>The schools I listed as reaches are reaches for just about any applicant.</p>

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<p>@Catria</p>

<p>Thanks again! Obviously you seem to have a lot of experience with this sort of thing! :slight_smile:
So do you think it would be worth applying to Brown, or would it probably be a waste of time and effort because I am unlikely to get in?</p>

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<p>^ You are GOOD to apply to all the Ivy’s and top universities, though you should keep in mind that you might not be happy at every top university!! </p>

<p>I think what Catria means is that Ivy admissions and other Tier I university (Standford,Duke,etc.) have a pretty unpredictable admissions process. While a 2400 SAT, 800/800 SAT II, Valedictorian may get rejected – A 2100 SAT, with decent grades but lot of promise and passion may get accepted!!
And hence no one can really label such universities as a <em>match</em>!! So it is a <em>reach</em> for every applicant and general advice is that applicants must not bank on admissions to these universities and should keep a few safeties/matches - just in case!!</p>

<p>That said, I highly believe that you’d be accepted at atleast 4/10 top universities!! - Which ones will accept you & which ones will not, that can only be known next march!! :)</p>

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<p>Another word of advice – don’t start parallel chances threads!! </p>

<p>College searching is an exciting thing - but that doesn’t mean that you will ask for a chance to every college you hear off. Try using SAT mid 50 percentiles & GPA mid 50 percentiles on college search websites to sort out which ones you have a chance at!!</p>

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<p>Do you ever sleep? I think you have a great chance at any of the universities you mentioned, although it’s always harder for international students.</p>

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<p>Don’t know specifics about whether those schools are reaches or matches for you, but the extra-curriculars are really interesting. They seem really unique, and I think that’s what most colleges are looking for these days.</p>