Chance a Guy from Borneo (international)? :)

sixfoottall · 11-15-2009, 11:37 PM

Im not sure if this will be a hook - im from an indigenous tribe in Borneo, and a minority group in Malaysia. Didn't grow up in a city, and had a different growing up experience from some of you guys here. i received a government scholarship to study abroad in a foreign country four years ago, and fortunately was exposed to the idea of US education.

do help me out over here.

Test Scores:
SAT 1
1460 (CR+M) 2070 (Total) 690-770-610 (CR/M/W)
SAT 2
Maths 2- 780 Physics- 780 Chinese- 800

Academics:
Predicted final year grade: General Paper (English) A Maths A Physics A Geography A Economics B (No GPA or school rank)
10th Grade GPA 3.57 out of 4.00 (distracted by year-round business research projects)
9th Grade GPA 3.78 out of 4.00

Archery (11th-12th Grade) School Captain
-Represented school in various National level competitions
-Best: 1st Position in Team Standard Recurve for National Inter-school Championship
Judo (8th-10th Grade)
-Represented school at Inter-school competition
-Bronze for individual event at inter-school competition
Badminton (till 9th Grade)
- Second place for Men's Under 14 doubles in State competition
- Borneo Badminton Cup (top 8 Men's Under 14 Doubles)

Social Service:
- Student volunteer for the disabled archers during training on-and-off for approximately a year.
- had weekly visitations to the nursing home for old folks.
- approx 240 hours of community involvement hours
(i know that the hours shouldn't be the main purpose for the social service, just wanted to show the extent of commitment)

Leadership Involvement:
- School Orientation Group Leader
- Peer support leader

Awards:
- Entered the Finals as a top 6 adult team for a national business competition by a university with teams from India, LA, Singapore. (2007)
- Boston Consultant Group Entrepreneurship Competition, a national level business competition which covered a period of one year. (2007)
- Geography Weather Studies Research Competition, semi-finalist, national competition.

Work Internship:
- Service Auditor at a Consulting Firm for a period of 10weeks.

Recs and Essays:
Pretty good i hope. And my counc is pretty experienced and well know among the deans for some colleges.

Weakness:
- probably my SAT1. my reading and writing are terrible. takin again in december, but i have some doubts on improving my scores.
- dont really have much awards in the academic field, like the many science olympiad winners i've seen on CC.

not really sure where i stand. so hoping to get some opinions and suggestions from you all. and if you have suggestions on how i can improve my application, do let me know too!

thanks!

OldbatesieDoc · 11-18-2009, 10:50 PM

I think you look good. Midd doesn't rely as much on standardized test scores. You also may want to look at Bates and other top schools that don't require SATs. Your SATs make you look at least competent, and your background shows determination.

sixfoottall · 11-19-2009, 06:34 AM

thanks. i didnt know that middlebury doesn't rely much on standardized scores. i think i should try one more time to push up my SAT1 scores, if not probably i won't submit them other than my sat2 scores.

thanks for the info!

im lookin at schools like hamilton too. but im still sorting out my school choices.

greennblue · 11-19-2009, 08:58 AM

If you don't need aid, your chances are much better.

Modadunn · 11-19-2009, 09:07 AM

Where was it said that Middlebury doesn't rely much on Standardized test scores. Do we say that because they have a more flexible guidelines there?

OldbatesieDoc · 11-19-2009, 09:52 PM

Yes, and from my discussions with admissions(and coaches) and published materials, test scores are in the second tier, whereas for Amherst and Williams, they are in the first. Courses(they love IB), grades, rank, rigor, character and ECs are more highly valued in their process.

I don't mean "much". I mean "as much", and sixfoot has good scores, especially looking at his other assets.

sixfoottall · 11-20-2009, 11:31 PM

thanks guys for the suggestions and chances. i think most importantly is to work on my essay now, so that i can showcase a mature and unique perspective of myself.

may i ask about the international community at middlebury. i know that it is diverse, much like many other amazing colleges. However, do the international groups tend to circulate and mix with themselves?

just a concern. coz im pretty into meeting different and crazy people and having fun too.

wzr9999 · 11-21-2009, 06:43 AM

hey sixfoot you have such an interesting and attractive background and this will help a LOT! Are you applying ED1, ED2 or RD to Midd? I am applying ED1 and I hope I will get the oportunity to Midd and see ya there. lol

Modadunn · 11-21-2009, 09:05 AM

Yes.. I am thinking ndigenous tribe in Borneo, and a minority group in Malaysia is a serious URM and frankly, just plain interesting! There are so many interesting kids at Midd, and I think they are fairly all pretty outgoing and hugely friendly.

journey919 · 11-21-2009, 11:59 AM

Agree with the above. You have a great background and I think your chances are really good. I can't speak about how kids integrate at Middlebury. This is a concern for my D too- as she is visiting this weekend, I am sure she will pay attention and I will report back what she says. Check out the visit report from Keilexandra. She visited on a "diversity weekend."

sixfoottall · 11-21-2009, 01:22 PM

wzr9999 + modadunn + journey 919:

thanks a lot for the encouragement.

it does give me some sort of confidence. but certainly, i wont put my hopes entirely on my background, cause im pretty sure there are many very very unique and diverse applicants applyin to middlebury too.

wzr9999:

im thinkin of applying for ED2. but im not sure about it yet coz im still lookin around for other colleges, which might be less competitive for financial aid.

cause i probably need it. don't think my parents can afford, plus they're in the 60s, dont think i wanna use up their retirement funds for my own education. dat'll be pretty self-centered.

journey919:

thanks a lot! please please report back!

from the videos i see on youtube, middlebury seems like a very very pretty area to live in, and the people seems friendly, but i cant really judge purely on videos and photos. all the best for ur D's application too!

sixfoottall · 11-25-2009, 12:23 AM

hi all,

i had just finished writing my common application essay for middlebury, i am not really sure if it does suffice to get my application a closer look.

can i ask for some help to take a look at my essay if anyone's willing to do so?

etiese · 11-25-2009, 09:45 AM

Hey sixfoottall,
I'm an international student at Midd right now and i would say you have really good chances of getting in. The school is definitely looking for diversity.
Concerning campus life, international definitely mix with each other. As a matter of fact, internationals tend to spend most of the time with each other (in a diverse way. It is not because you are from Malaysia that you'll have to be with South East asian people). It really makes life at Midd exciting because you get to learn about all types of background (and that's why i think you have really good chances of getting in). The International Student Organization is the biggest student-run club on campus and they really try to bring everyone together. And the administration takes good care of us. A few weeks back, they organized a winter clothing giveaway for int'l students and students coming from warmer climate.
It is very difficult to sum it up in a few lines, so don't hesitate to e-mail me if you have further question. ^^

sixfoottall · 11-25-2009, 09:56 AM

hey etiese!

I just came to CC about 10mins ago and saw ur post immediately!

I ll pm u to get ur email address! im so excited to get in touch with an international student at Midd! it really helps a lot.

take care over there! I guess its pretty cold winter over there right now yeah.