I am currently a junior from South Asia and I have almost perfect grades. But my Extracurriculars are not that high level. I mean I have a lot of ECs but they are mostly just school level. So I am relying on my talent to become unique: writing. I will be writing a novel this summer and have it completed before EA deadline. I have also founded and led a literature club for 3 years. Plus, I took part in 1 international flash fiction competition and 1 World Youth Essay Competition in which I won an International Writers Excellence Award. Along with 1500+ SAT, great essays and recommendations, decent community service and several speech competitions/debate competitions do you think I have a chance at Richmond, Lehigh or Kenyon? What other top 50-100 college do you think I might have a chance at?
Yes, I do believe that writing would be seen as a spike! Depending on how well you do in your writing competition-wise (not that you already are not very accomplished), you may have a good shot at many top colleges, even above the ones you listed. Apply to anywhere you see yourself enjoying your college experience, even if it seems like a reach. Good luck!
Thanks a lot for your reply. I didn’t know One positive answer could be such a great motivation
If you have a 1500+ SAT score and have had literary success, you should consider applying to schools in the top 50’s. You should very likely get into Kenyon, Lehigh, and Richmond. With your talents, which will certainly be considered a spike, you should regard these aforementioned schools as safeties and find some reach schools that you would consider going to. If your writing is extraordinary, it may make up for a lack of extra-circulars, as a reader would suppose that instead of volunteering, you were writing. By the way, my one friend who went to Lehigh went for a year and transferred because he did not like it; if you’re set on going there, then I hope you get in. He just said that it was hard to fit in as a non-Pennsylvania person (we’re from Southern California). Good luck!
Oh really? I just researched Lehigh a lot and loved it. But my EA choice is still Richmond. As you said, I’m looking for more colleges and I’m thinking of applying to a wider range now like Cornell, Williams, Swarthmore, Syracuse and Duke (love everything about this university but not sure I can get in). All these are universities I can picture myself at.
Thanks for your reply, Im planning to do a lot more this summer now so that I would actually be considered at a top 50 college.
You have definitely have a chance to get into top 50 colleges, so shoot for them. What my friend said about Lehigh is in no way characteristic of the entire school, just wanted to let you know that he was very excited to go there after doing lots of research as well and ended up not loving it. He’s also very awkward so that may have very well played a part in it. Obviously, research is very helpful, but it’s hard to get a feel for a school without seeing it in person. With you living on a different continent, it may be difficult to visit these schools, so make sure that you really research the schools before applying. For example, I go to Berkeley, and it’s advertised as a pretty good school, but the city of Berkeley is kind of dangerous. There’s lots of crime, with armed robberies and assaults. Some highlights this year were two armed robberies on campus and someone getting shot one street west of campus. Schools aren’t going to advertise things that are negative. Bottom line, that’s good that you love Lehigh, I’ve also read that it’s a fun school, but research isn’t necessarily the gospel truth and can be misconstrued to convey a certain point of view.
As @BingBong284 said, if you haven’t visited a school, then what you ‘love’ is mostly marketing. Be able to picture yourself at any swishy school is not hard, but some of the schools you list are so very different that I think you may not know as much as you think you do. For example, it is very hard for me to imagine a student who would be equally happy at Lehigh & Swarthmore. And I would be willing to bet that you would find that irl the Duke you think you ‘love everything about’ is very different from what you imagine.
And: that’s perfectly ok. The important thing is to know it. Your stats and ECs (which are not a ‘spike’, btw) make you a credible candidate. BUT: you are an international candidate. Most of these schools have about 10-15% international students so your odds are longer (and if you are looking for financial aid it’s even more problematic).
So, yes: pick some of these schools and apply. Target them carefully. Remember to think about what you bring and how you would fit, not just why you would love the school. Choose some schools with higher admissions rates(especially outside the NE & CA). If finances are even a tiny question, be sure to figure that part out. And, try not to fall in love!
Though you are right about Lehigh and Swarthmore, i am positive that i will love it at Richmond or duke. My school sends a couple of students into each of these schools yearly and I have talked to many of my seniors that are there. The girl from Duke describes her student life and campus feel, interaction and workload in detail (i know its nothing like actually going there but still, I find everything there so perfect). same with richmond. While I am certain i can cope with these universities’ workload (i am also a video editor and manage a ton of side projects alongside my studies and exercise and writing), I have no way to show it. My coursework is rigorous for me and anyone who learns my subjects but im not sure how 4 AS-level subjects will be seen as? Are they seen as AP classes or some other equivalent. In any case, these subjects are tougher by far than most AP class syllabi I have come across but the profiles of accepted applicants from my country usually show 5-7 subjects and AICE diploma (aint nobody got time for that, or money).