<p>From what I have heard, Cornell is much easier to get into if you apply early because it has ED whereas Harvard is 'apparently' just as strict with their EA applicants as their regulars. To which should I apply early considering that I have an uncle who works as proffessor at Harvard? I would like to get into at least one IVY, and perhaps it would be more worthwhile applying to cornell early.</p>
<p>Please, any advice?</p>
<p>BTW (I am an international student)</p>
<p>OO a friend of mine was Botswana at an MUN conference :P. That is so cool!</p>
<p>Apply to whichever you want to go to the most. If you want your options open or you need financial aid, don't apply ED.</p>
<p>any more pearls of wisdom...</p>
<p>It's hard making any kind of judgment without your stats. Also, statistically, a higher percentage of EA people get into Harvard than the people who do regular admission, so you might want to keep that in mind if you like Harvard more than Cornell.</p>
<p>My stats (already posted)</p>
<p>Is this enough info for anyone to base their judgement?
please, any comments are welcome.</p>
<p>SAT I: 1980 (M: 750, CR: 650, W: 580) - (I could probably hike the score up to about +/- 2080)
SAT II: </p>
<p>Math I: 780
Math IIC: 740
Literature: 680</p>
<p>Subject marks for school:
Computer Studies: 83%
Maths: 88%
Additional Maths: 94%
English: 80%
French: 70%
Science (Physics and Chem Combined): 84%
Accounting: 86%</p>
<p>(These marks are on the IEB matric system, simmilar to the european IB)</p>
<p>Average: 84%
Aggregate: 92%</p>
<p>Rank: Top 5%</p>
<p>Merit Awards (Grade 9,10,11 and 12)
3 Subject Diligence Awards
2 First in Subject Awards
1 Most improved mark award</p>
<p>Maths Olympiad (Round 2 for 3 years)
Exemption Certificate in National Science Olympiad
National English Olympiad Bronze</p>
<p>EC's:
Rotary Interact Society
Member of the Blood Donor Representative Council
AIDS orphans Soup kitchen
Photographic Society
Debating: (2nd Team: 2yrs)
Botswana Harvard Partnership: Volunteer Work
Khazimula Project: Helping to build a school for AIDS orphans</p>
<p>Leadership:
Academic Student Leader
Volunteer: Teaching Support Classes</p>
<p>Sport:
Tennis: (4yrs: Various teams represented)
Hockey (2yrs: C and D teams represented)
Squash: Played socially
Golf: Played Socially</p>
<p>Work Experience:
1 month for an Engineering Firm - I.T. related
1 week working for an Actuary - AIDS statistics for UN related work
2 weeks working for the government in AIDS related research
1 week working for The Botswana Harvard Partnership</p>
<p>Also:
- I will need financial aid
- Decent Teacher Recs
- Decent Essay
- I go to a private school</p>
<p>maybe you have a chance at cornell, not harvard</p>
<p>Perhaps you don't understand just how selective Harvard or even Cornell is... Especially if you are an international applicant and want financial aid.</p>
<p>In his defense, a lot of international schools have tougher grading standards than American schools. I was in India last year, and although I was at an IB school, I heard a lot about the Indian school system. In particularly tough classes, a passing grade could be as low as 30%, and an A could be a 70% or 80%. Of course, I don't know the size of his class or the quality of his school, but this could be an explanation as to his relatively low marks but high class rank.</p>
<p>I'm sorry, but it seems really unlikely that you'll get into either in your current situation. Your SAT score is low, and you don't really have any recognitions other than participation in a few olympiads, which isn't going to look very good next to relatively low scores in the area (for instance, a 740 Math IIC). If you want to apply, definitely work on the SAT... I just think that you shouldn't have your heart set on the Ivy League.</p>
<p>anyway you don't need to go to an ivy. going anywhere in america should be great.</p>
<p>Thanks but in my defense these marks are very good for the IEB (Matric) system which exists in South Africa. They easily place me in the top 0.1% of the country and are comparable to A levels. A straight-A matric is just as hard to get as a straight-A result in A levels. Harder in my case because I am taking a seventh subject, part of which I am having to teach myself. My Counsellor will also write that I have taken the hardest possible course that my school (A private, very competetive school that is ranked no. 1 in the country according to academic results) offers. I have been told (by a US conuslate official) that the results that our top 5 students are getting are comparble to a perfect GPA. </p>
<p>With regards to Olympiads, at my school these are not focused on and we are only given the opportunity to write on odd occasions. Often we don't know when it will happen. In SA there are schools that prepare their best students every year for the Olympiads so that they can do well. This just makes it harder for students from my school to compete. </p>
<p>SAT wise, I can probably push my SAT 1 up to around 2100 and my SAT II Math I can take again and hopefully get around 800.</p>
<p>There are also no such things as National merit, research opportunities ...etc in SA so we are not given the opportunity to put these things on our resume.
We are only give the opportunity to write 4 olympiads, whereas in the States they have olympiads for every subject. </p>
<p>BTW:</p>
<p>80% = A - A very difficult mark to get
33% = Pass Mark
Not to mention that All of my classes are taken on what is called 'Higher Grade' - A level that is equated with the US 'Honors' or AP subjects.</p>
<p>Also: My uncle is a proffessor at Harvard. Would this make a difference? If so, why?</p>
<p>please BringUpMyPost</p>
<p>Your SAT score is 50 points lower than mine, how to you expect to get into Harvard?</p>
<p>Vyse:</p>
<p>-Top 5% of Class
-Good Essay
-Good Marks (+ The Most difficult courses available)
-Pretty decent EC's (For an intl)
-I can raise my SAT score (As I have already mentioned)</p>