International Student seeking advice

HKtiger
Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:42:00 +0000

I am from HK as well, I go to Princeton and I did the HKDSE so I understand your situation.

I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think you will get into Harvard. I’m sorry to sound pessimistic / arrogant, but in the past few years, Harvard has only accepted 1-2 people from HK each year. It is much harder to get into Harvard (or any US university) from HK, because so many highly qualified people apply, and it is even harder to get in through the HKDSE, because it is still such a new system, and most people who get into US colleges from HK did the IB.

Compared to the people I know who got into Harvard from HK, your extra-curriculars (and, considering your HKDSE results, I’m guessing your school results) cannot compete with theirs (top awards at international competitions; student council president at international schools etc.)

My advice would be to make this coming year a spectacular gap year (e.g. independent project like research / volunteer, or an internship at an international / really cool company) - basically something that sounds impressive + which will let you learn a lot - and look for colleges that admit people based more on standardized testing scores (that’s your strength) than personal qualities. I suggest Penn / Cornell for Ivies / reach schools, Rice / Vanderbilt / UCLA / Berkeley / USC / NYU for realistic choices. If you can afford it, you’ll increase your chances at everything except Cornell if you don’t apply for financial aid. (The UC system doesn’t even offer financial aid to internationals away)

I don’t mean to sound harsh or presumptuous, but the sad truth is that applicants from many high-achieving countries (especially those in Asia e.g. China / South Korea / Singapore) are held to much higher standards because there are so many applicants for so few spots. I’m only trying to give you realistic expectations and prevent you from wasting your time or being too disappointed for Harvard. I’m sorry that the education system in both HK and the US is disadvantageous for you, and all the best of luck.