About me: I was raised in US, left after 7th grade for China. Skipped 8th grade, did 9th this year, and planning on either doing 9th or 10th next year(not because of low grades, I’m just worried that I didn’t learn much this year and 10th grade will be overwhelming in the new school). I am an asian male with good grades(straight A’s) but not many EC’s yet(not much opportunity in current school) except for some key club.
I am to transfer to another school next semester, and I am worried that if I attend this school(which is also in China), I will count as an international student, which I’ve heard can kill one’s chances at many schools. However, this seems to be a good school(I think the term is ‘Magnet school’?), with 10-20 odd students every year(out of 200) going to very prestigious schools(HYPSM NYU UCBetc), and 60 some% of each graduating class going to top 50 schools. My question is; do you think this school will hurt my chances of getting into an elite college? Thank you in advance!
Yes, I hold a US passport (the school only allows foreign passport holders by the way).
It’s not the rigor of the new school but the fact that your residency is in China that will hurt you the most. Selective schools seek geographic diversity. Your application will be compared to other students in China holding a US passport, and there is a huge number of them.
You race will also make it more difficult, as asian-americans are over-represented at the most coveted schools, and you will be compared to other asian-americans. That is a tough applicant pool to be in.
Oh noes! I had sort of pieced that together from lurking on the forum for a while, but never had it told to me directly. So basically I have no chance now?
Obviously you have a “chance”; otherwise this wouldn’t be occurring as you report:.
Alright, I’m just worried that if I’m not that top 10-20 odd, or even the 60% then I’m toast.
Thank you for the info though!
No matter how great a candidate you might be, prudence would dictate you apply to a range of schools: matches & safeties, in addition to the reaches.
Don’t fall too in love with any school until you are accepted. Picking the reach schools is the easy part. Make sure to spend plenty of time to CAREFULLY pick match and safety schools you like.
If money is a consideration, then you must make that your safety is a financial safety, too.
Thank you for the advice! I will definitely keep this in mind when the time comes for me to apply.