<p>I'm in my last year of high school in South Africa and really want to study abroad. Now it's time to apply but realistically, WHAT ARE MY CHANCES of getting into Yale, Columbia, UPenn. Or University of Chicago?! And should I apply early decision?!
ECs:
Head of House and Silver Prefect (it's the equivalent of a Vice Head of School I guess)
Deputy Head and member (5 years) of Chamber Choir
Member of Senior Diving Squad
Dived in the novices section at nationals
Member of Debating Team
Model UN debator </p>
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<p>Honourable mention for be§t speaker
2nd prize best delegation
Best position paper
Elected Social Responsibility Rep
Elected as member of Junior City Council (group of young leaders that do community service and coordinate community events)
Elected President of the Interact Board
Won Concours de la francophonie (a national competition run by the French embassy. Prize was a trip to do a french course in Nice)
Plays Saxophone and Piano
Member or Jazz Band
Coordinated annual fashion design competition
Attended Round Square Conference Penryn College
Work Experience at Suzlon </p>
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<p>I haven't written my SATs yet but will in May.
GPA: well we don't have that here. But I have an A aggregate.
What are my chances? And will applying for financial aid effect my chances!? Fees are killer!</p>
<p>It’s hard to know how to chance you without an SAT score. Assuming you have a qualifying score and can pay tuition, you will have an average chance at all the schools you are applying to. Granted, the schools you are applying to are all very selective and it is quite possible that you could be rejected from all of them? Do you have a safety/back-up plan?</p>
<p>I’m not sure how your location will affect you. I think the fact that you are from an underrepresented area will make you more appealing, regardless of race since you’ll add diversity.</p>
<p>Anyway, it’s hard to chance you for the reasons I’ve mentioned. Yale is considered to be a reach for everyone, and the other two are probably reaches for you also.</p>
<p>You have really strong EC’s. And you needing financial aid shouldn’t be a problem, considering most if not all schools are need-blind. If you SAT’s are good, i’d say you have a shot. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thre are applicants with perfect SAT scores that get rejected from Yale. Teh SATs are only one part of the application. Write some great essays and best of luck. You should add some safeties to yur list. Consider Arizona State - Go Devils!</p>
<p>Umm, if you’re in your last year of high school, you don’t have time to apply to any of these places as the deadlines have already passed. That means you would have to go to a university in South Africa for a year and transfer.</p>
<p>It’s too hard to tell without a definite GPA and SAT scores but your ECs are great. As far as financial aid hurting your chances- I heard it does but I think it only really will hurt you if you’re application is borderline, like if they’re trying to decide between you and someone else. If your SATs turn out over a 2100 and your GPA is over a 4.0 (or a 4.0 unweighted) then apply.</p>
<p>Academic years run from January to December in South Africa so my intended year of entry is 2014. So I do have time and have not missed the deadline. My applications will be due late this year and early (Jan) next year, if I’m correct.</p>
<p>@fbomb (or whatever your username is) Yale is so selective that no one has guaranteed admittance. Since about 90% of the applicants are qualified, it is really the luck of the draw to determine who gets in. Sorry for taking so long to reply.</p>