Dilemma (UK vs US)

lordan5
Thu, 25 Oct 2012 07:44:18 +0000

Hey guys. I came to cc half a year ago to get chanced for some unis that are generous to Int’l students. Now a lot has changed since then and it was for better, but I do have dilemma now. I’ve got a scholarship, which will enable me to study in UK and an offer from University of Glasgow (cca 50.-70. in world ranking) and will hear form 4 others sometime in spring.

Meanwhile I did what I could to improve my overall chances and was taking SATs. The first one was bad CR 650, M 680, WR 680, so I retook it. On the second time I got CR 690, M 760, WR 680. total improvement from 2010 to 2130. Now the dilemma: Is this score good enough for me to have chance at ivies/hypsm.

The real problem is that in two weeks time I have Physics Aptitude test (Oxford admission) and SAT II test. Now the theme is same, but the type of exam is completely different and I need to know whether it is wort to waste some time on preparation for SAT II. (Mind you I didn’t feel comfortable doing those sample questions on collegeboard site, so I would be likely to receive average score.

Here are my stats so you have better idea. Academics - 3rd year in Highschool
GPA (unweighted - not sure how to calculate it properly with our grading system) - 4,83.
Rank - no ranking in the school - cca top 2%
Languages: English - CAE A (will take toefl later), Czech - native language, Polish - spoken, German - B1, French - A2

EC and other successes
Founding a debating club at my high school (Leadership ?)
Helping establish cooperation between our school and CTY International. (I basically initiated it for our school.)
Writing a Biochemistry textbook for high school level - very little time to do anything else

100 pages plus long book, in color, illustrations, formulas

educational presentations to be used along with the textbook

laboratory demonstrations, photo documented, another set of presentations

original work ofc, nothing similar written in Czech language

currently exploring the options of publication
Competing in “High school scientific activity”

probably most distinguished academic competition/honor organization in my country

1st place in regional round, good chances to win the national
Winning of AFCSLS scholarship

participation in JHU CTY Summer camp - last summer

An article published in national newspaper. - on political situation
Member of student board in school
Playing guitar

Volunteering

Wildlife preservation

Raising resources for wildlife preservation

organizing of local swimming competitions

Work experience

Technical assistant - during school year 8h/week for 3 years - Leadership ? - organizing work for 9 other people

Store clerk - summer

Sports (not competition) - probably not worth anything

Swimming 3 years

Swimming referee 3rd class

Volleyball - 2 years

Skiing - 10 years

Cycling - during spring/summer/winter - 6h/week

Karate - 3 years