what is my chance ?

nns91 · 08-19-2009, 03:56 AM

What is my chance for Bowdoin as an ED international student applying for Financial aid ?

9th grade GPA: 8.0/10 (it's considered A where I went to)

My GPA in sophomore year was 9.2/10

Junior year GPA: 4.0 (unweighted, my school does not have weighted GPA)
No ranking but I think I am in top 5%

Repeating junior year to fulfill graduation requirement at a really rigorous private school (I changed school this year due to visa problem, long story)

Grarde this year:
AP Cal BC: B
AP Physics C:Mechanics: B,
Spanish 1: A+,
English 11: A,
Biology: A,
Choir: A,
Wind Ensemble: A.

Senior Schedule:
AP Lit
AP Physics C: E&M
AP Bio
Spanish IIe
China/Japan (fall) + Economics (spring)
Choir
Band

AP Cal AB: 4 (Too bad)
AP Cal BC: 5
AP Physics C Mech: 3

SAT: 2000 (CR:600, M:740, WR:660) on a practice test, aiming for 2100 this Oct.
Bio M: 700 (should I retake ?)
Math II: to be taken in Nov

Extra curricular:
Soccer team of class: 6,7,8,9,10
Soccer Varsity:grade 11
AFCVN soccer club: grade 10 ( cannot continue due to moving to US to study)
News translator for Arsenal Fan Club In Vietnam: grade 8,9,10,11
Tennis JV ( varsity is super competitive, ranked 7th in the country): grade 11

Choir:grade 11
Piano class:8 years
French horn: 1 years

Young leader club:grade 10 ( cannot continue due to moving school)
CATCH program:grade 11
FIRST Robotics: grade 11 (cannot continue due to moving school)
Community service club: grade 11
Community service trip to Costa Rica: grade 11 (Feb 2009)

Awards:
Silver Medalists of National Spanish Exam: Grade 11
Semi-finalist of Cornell Essay contest: Grade 11
Best GPA at school : Grade 10
Best final exams record: Grade 10
First Prize at School's English Olympiad: Grade 10
Victoria scholarship: grade 10
High honor roll: grade 11
Best Physical project in Science Fair:grade 11
Highest honor in Chemistry:grade 11
High honor in Maths:grade 11
Nominated for National Honor Society: grade 11
Nominated for National Young Leader Conference: grade 11

Leadership: Head of School's Youth Union:Grade 10

nns91 · 08-20-2009, 09:52 PM

any suggestion for me ?

Tzar09 · 08-20-2009, 10:03 PM

Your stats are pretty good (though, if you could get your SATs over 2100 that would be good). The fact that you have an upward trend might let the adcom overlook your frosh GPA.

It seems like you did a lot of things for one year. Was that all because you switched schools? In your app, focus on the things you gave a sustained effort towards.

nns91 · 08-21-2009, 12:49 AM

Yeah, it is because I have been switching schools every year.

Any more comments ? Do I have a shot for ED ?

Hy13rid10101 · 08-21-2009, 09:08 AM

I agree with Tzars advice,

I was admitted to bowdoin with a 3.41 unweighted gpa (weighted around 4.2). My freshman year was about 3.0, but i had a strong upward trend, even as I took more APs.

I did get 2300 (cr:750, m:800, wr:750) which was a big boost for me. However, you don't need need that kind of a score to be admitted. If you raise your score to around 2100 (focus especially on improving your CR section because you're in the bottom quartile), you will be smack in the middle of the pack of admitted students in that department.

Again, tzar is right about focusing on sustained activities. I wrote my essay, in part, about my experience with the soccer team I've been on for 8 years. Ideally, you should show yourself as having sustained interest in a couple of extracurriculars. I understand that that may be challenging for you because of you changing schools. At all cost, you want to avoid any indication of "resume padding," so don't go join 10 clubs or something like that.

On a glance, you look like a reasonably strong candidate. ED may be the way to go if bowdoin is a top choice for you. Good luck!

The Government · 08-22-2009, 01:04 AM

Hy13rid -

My test scores are also high (34 ACT, 760+ on all SAT IIs)
My unweighted GPA is also relatively low (around a 3.50)
My weighted GPA is around a 4.2 too
My freshman year GPA was a 3.00
I have an upward GPA trend as well
I've been playing soccer most of my life (though I'm not looking to get recruited)

lol, you seem to be my twin... except you're in a position, as someone attending Bowdoin, that I'd love to be in (I'm sadly a high school senior)

nns91 · 08-22-2009, 01:18 AM

Thank you guys. I have the love for soccer also so I have been playing at different levels for all my life. Do you think my resume shows this ?

Do you think 650 on CR will sound better ? How about my 700 on Bio M ? Should I retake it ?