Chances of getting into NYU or Boston University

<p>Hi, I am not just asking what my chances are, I am also looking at what events and things that happened in my life could be important or send a message to the university about my personality. I am a mixed chinese and german student who will be applying to the US to study. I plan to apply for history or economics at boston university and NYU. I have studied the British system all my life in an international school. I got 3 A’s 2 B’s and 2 D’d for my IGCSE O levels, and am currently resitting my AS exams this november and A2 next may/June. I am only doing 2 A levels however ( business studies and Economics ) for which I am predicted an A for both of them by my school. I have taken the SAT already, and I got 1900 on it, but am going to retake it in december ( my last chance ). I have very good recommendations from my teachers talking about my hundred percent attendance, as well as my attitude in class ( my school even gave me a 50 percent discount ). I understand that my grades weren’t very good, but I have some impressive extra curriculur activities and a good essay. My extracurriculur activities include being the captain of my school soccer team. I was also part of the national tennis team for Malaysia ( The country I grew up in ) and was ranked second in the under 14 category and the under 16 category, as well as being ranked in the top 60 in Asia under 16 at one point. I was the back up junior davis cup player for Malaysia and have represented my state on many occasions. I also had to travel often to countries all over the world playing tournaments. leading up the My O levels I had missed nearly half of the school year. I had to train hours every day while still studying. Would writing about this show my commitment and dedication level? Just wondering… I have glowing recommendations from my national team coach and a coach of a club I was playing for when I was living in Europe. I moved to Luxembourg in Europe when I was 16 because of my dad’s job and had to change schools and adapt to a new environment and culture. Would writing about this move and having to adapt help my application? I have never been good in tests, all my grades in class were fantastic and I was top of my class in business and economics at all the schools I have been in. I was in fact predicted straight A’s in my O levels and A levels by my teachers but I always choked and messed up my tests. I also went on a trip with friends last summer to Mongolia. We raised 3500 euros each through fundraisers and sponsors to travel there and have a hike to a orphanage and stayed there for 3 weeks helping the orphans, giving donations and doing construction and helping out around the place. I guess my academics weren’t good enough but do you guys thinks I still have a shot at applying? </p>

<p>P.S : i was told that applying as a German would be better than if I applied as a Chinese as they have different internation quotas to fulfill, is that true?
Thanks for taking the time to read all this</p>

<p>Wow, you really have exceptional ivy-level ECs. I’d say if you applied German (not Chinese), you have a good shot at both, especially BU. NYU usually requires 2000+ on SAT, so i’d try to break that in your December test. Asian applicants have it tough, no doubt, so German would be better. I would get started on the essay, but would try to talk about tennis or the volunteer work rather than moving. The moving would best be put in the Commonapp under “explain any other circumstances that disrupted your academics” box. All in all, do not worry, study hard for the SAT, and you’ll be more than fine.</p>

<p>Chance back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1712918-chances-for-uva-villanova-and-unc-will-chance-back.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1712918-chances-for-uva-villanova-and-unc-will-chance-back.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;