<p>Hey guys, I’d just like to know realistically what are my chances at the schools listed above.
Nationality: Saudi Arab
SAT: 2070 (760 math, 700 reading, 610 writing)
GPA: 3.9 unweighted, 4.2 weighted (2 AP Classes, and 4 honors and I’m taking 4 more AP’s senior year)
SAT 2 Chem 750
*I have legacy at Tufts</p>
<p>EC’s:
Habitat for Humanity member: built houses in a remote part of Europe last fall
MUN Executive member
Effect Club member
JV and V for basketball and football (soccer)</p>
<p>I’m probably doing mechanical engineering as a major, not sure yet. Thank you all!</p>
<p>You’re going to need another SAT Subject Test. Your SAT Math/Reading scores are anywhere from ok to good for most of the schools (might be a bit low for Brown, Berkeley and Rice), but your writing will be a bit of a hindrance. Your ECs are also a bit weak tbh, if you’re only a member of three clubs and do two sports. Habitat for Humanity is always cool, but could definitely be improved.</p>
<p>Unless you take Math 1 or 2, you’re probably not going to get admissions to most of those schools as an engineer.</p>
<p>I’d say you have a good to very good shot at UT Austin (CR/Math are both well above their top 25%, writing is safely around average), but at the other schools you’ll need to improve your scores. Your GPA probably won’t change much so I wouldn’t really focus on it, but I’d say that you really have to take at least 1-2 more subject tests, preferably in either of the Maths. Cornell doesn’t look at your writing score so your CR/Math will definitely help a lot. I think that legacy at Tufts will definitely be a plus, but I wouldn’t really put your chances at much above average. Your SAT writing score is pretty weak and you still need at least one other SAT2 before I can really say for sure. For Brown, Rice, and Berkeley, I’d say that you have ok-ish scores, but nothing outstanding. Your writing is pretty weak for any of those schools, and you’d need to bring it up to at least a 680-700 to be in most of their middle 50%. Your Math might help you a bit, but even then I’m not really so sure.</p>
<p>Good luck. You have an ok shot if you bring up your SAT scores, but even then your ECs are kind of weak and you still need one more SAT 2.</p>
<p>@micmatt513 I plan on taking Math 2 on October/November, sorry I probably should have mentioned that. I might also retake the SAT just to get my Writing up by 30 points, but that really depends on if I see it necessary and my AP Lang score. Thanks for the advice, and I’ll do my best for EC’s.</p>
<p>@Superman22 I see. I would recommend just taking both (Tufts for instance takes either). Getting an 800 on Math II isn’t nearly as hard as getting an 800 on Math I, even if the math is technically harder. For instance, without really studying or even knowing most of the material for either of the tests (I took the most recent SAT IIs and decided to take Math II the night before), I got a 750 on Math I and a 740 on Math II. Neither score is incredible, but they’re also decently respectable. However, the Math I score is ~95th percentile, whereas the Math II score is in the mid 70s. Big difference, even though there’s a small discrepancy.</p>
<p>I’d say that you may also want to take the ACT, just to see if you do better on it. Trying never hurts.</p>
<p>@micmatt513 haha I never thought about that. I’ll take both for sure, and the only problem with the ACT is that its offered only once/twice a year in Saudi, but youre right, trying never hurts. Thanks for everything!</p>
<p>@Torveaux no sadly, I’m not American haha. Thank you though, I’ll make sure that my essays are good to say the least. Also, for EC’s, is it possible to mention that my family and I held several cloth drives/donations or wtv they are called for arab immirgrants?</p>
<p>Sure! Mention any charity work that you do regardless of how formal or informal it is. Most US schools compare international applicants against other international applicants (some are more up-front about this than others).</p>
<p>I guess I should have read all of the details of your original post.</p>
<p>@superman22 I should also ask this question: How much money does your family actually have? This can impact a lot about your chances at getting into certain schools that you’re applying to. International applications especially are judged based on their need based. You don’t need to go into super specific details but how large is your need? Can your family afford to send you to a $60k per year institution?</p>
<p>@micmatt513 the Saudi government has a program where if you meet the required test scores (which I do), they will pay for your university (thank God). So, my family can afford to go to a university with no financial aid.</p>
<p>hahahaha @micmatt513 its a good deal to be honest, the whole purpose of the program is to educate Saudi citizens and transform the country into a more progressive and educated one. I think its pretty sweet :D</p>
<p>I don’t understand how that makes it corrupt. Rather have money going to educate the brightest rather than simply throwing money at anyone who ‘wants’ to go to college. Seems a lot better than the US system to me.</p>
<p>I agree that you’re going to have to take math subject tests. Cornell and Brown are reaches for anyone, but I’d say that you have an excellent chance at all of your schools. Suggestion to you: if you wish to continue with soccer in college, then add a school with a strong soccer program onto your list (eg St. John’s, UNC, etc). Best of luck! :)</p>