hey everyone, I’m an international student currently studying under the british GCE or A-Level curriculum. I’ve just finished my AS Levels, or 11th Grade as per the american standard, and will be applying to universities starting this fall for the starting semester of september 2019.
I’ve looked into application process but I thought it’d be nice to have some more opinions on schools that you think would be good for me to apply to, I’m also looking for financial aid/scholarships (if that helps).
Tests:
- The New SAT: Took it in December without studying and scored a 1310, 21 for Essay (Math: 690, Eng: 620)
- I'm retaking it this august and have bene preparing, so I'm confident for a 1450+
- Considering taking the Math 2 and Eng Lit SAT Subject Tests as well, aiming for anywhere over a 700
My IGCSE subjects were Mathematics, English Literature, English Language, Science (inclusive of bio, chem, and physics), Business Studies, ICT, and Geography
The respective grades were: A, A, A, A, A, A, A
with my A grades all being 90%+
My current AS Level subjects are Physics, Computer Science, and Mathematics
I’m predicted an A, A, A in them respectively by the end of my A-Levels.
Extra Curricular Achievements:
For a bit of background, I’ve been attending a school of which I’m the first graduating batch, and I’m graduating alongside about a class of 65 students. My grades put me in the range of the top 5-10 students on average. Since we’re the first batch, we don’t have as many opportunities as other schools in the area, but I’ve participated in a number of national-level competitions as well as charity events.
In school:
- Member of the School Council for 4 years and counting
- Served as school’s Head-boy years 2016-2017
- Engaged in general student leadership activities, ie volunteering with younger school, helping out staff, specialty in arranging end of term assemblies, weekly meetings, in school charity events, etc
- Undertook role of making end of term school videos, have a passion for videography and music
- Certificate of volunteering with the Emirates Red Crescent (equivalent to the Red Cross) charity organisation and organising events with them within school.
- Multiple subject/leadership related certificates
Competitions:
- National App Development competition for a well known bank in the country (Grouped, Finalist, Youngest Participants) 2016
- National Microsoft Student Ambassador Competition (Solo, 7th in the nation, Awarded title of Microsoft Student Ambassador for my school)
- National UAE Hackathon 2018 (Grouped, Honorable Mention, Youngest Participants)
- Duke of Edinburgh Digital Entrepreneurship Award (Duke of Edinbrugh visited school, I recieved the oppurtunity with 4 other students to be his guest to observe a Business Competition at a prestigious and royal palace)
Hobbies:
- Self taught musical producer, i’ve always been interested in musical production, but was never able to take up any instruments or any sort of lessons as a kid. Since last year, I’ve taught myself digital production and have gained a following of 500 people, with a cumulative 120,000+ plays on media platforms (soundcloud & youtube)
Internships:
- Looked for these myself since my school is relatively new and we don’t have as many connections with organisations.
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Summer 2017: Worked and completed a introductory program for Amadeus Travel Technology at a certified Travel branch in my home country (Pakistan). So I have basic industry level certification for their global travel ecosystem software.
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January 2018 - Current: Junior Volunteer at the Make a Wish Foundation; I gained this internship solely through my own intuition (scouting for internships myself) and was offered an internship here. I applied and recommended it to my friend as well, both of us have been working with Make a Wish ever since. We’re the youngest volunteers out of the group and certified & trained volunteers. Myself, along with my friend, were also the first Volunteer trainers for the organisation in the UAE; we trained other volunteers as well as presented to the Regional Managers and other heads of the organisation regarding professional videography and photography (something that stemmed from doing it regularly at school). We’ve attended multiple charity events with them as well and we’ve become well acquainted with everybody at the organisation.
Some past, more junior school achievements:
- Participation in organising and helping out during Debate competitions, participating in Model United Nations (good public speaking, leadership activities, etc)
- Runner up in Whole school art competition, awarded trophy by a prestigious artist in my home country
Interesting life moments:
- Did 7th grade in three different countries, one of which was actually Uganda - a place where I’d never even imagined living. Came runner up in a science fair i participated in over there (and have certificates of achievement for the short time I was there) but the experience of going to school there was unforgettable for me and one that I treasure (and serves as a story which is hard for my classmates/friends to believe!)
Based on this information, I wonder if you guys could recommend good schools for me to look into that I could be offered some good aid/scholarships with. I’m considering applying to NYU, UNC at Chapel Hill, and other universities of the sort, and I’d like to apply to an Ivy as a dream school and maybe somewhere like Duke as well. I’m trying to stay clear of Liberal Arts colleges and would like to move in the direction of private schools, places that offer good STEM degrees and will help me get a job so that I can stay in the states after I graduate.
Any advice/input is appreciated, thank you!
