Hey guys, im an international student with a strong desire to study in the US. To put a long story short, I have messed up my high school grades due to personal problems (I take the Alevels) but I have an rather strong GED and SAT grade. GED=3700/4000 SAT=2250. I am looking at specifically New York University, UMich and UColumbia. If i were to be thinking unrealistically, Havard would also be an option. I am willing to work very hard in university and I have been performing well for my previous exams barring my Alevels. What are my chances to be admitted in the schools mentioned above? My portfolio would largely include being a national fencer and several national/international medals and around 50 hours of community service. If GED and SAT is not sufficient, what other tests do you guys suggest me to take to boost my chances? I am not in a rush to apply for an uni as my country has conscription. Thanks in advance!
Your chances will depend on your grades.
Unless you’re a recruited athlete, if your grades aren’t among the top 5% of your school, your odds are slim. Most of these schools accept a literal handful of students from each small to mid-sized country (think 0-25 million population). UMich accepts a few more, simply because it has such a large student body.
We’d need to know your actual grades to chance you.
Even with strong grades in multiple standardised tests? As mentioned before, I have gotten 2250 for my SAT and 3700/4000 for my GED. I am also planning to take the ACT and expect nothing less than 33. If it’s still isnt enough, i am willing to take more tests. For my GCE O’Levels I did really well. I got 6/6 As. For my GCE Alevels, im probably looking at Cs for everything. We dont have a GPA here. I am also planning to retake the SAT again and aim the 2300 range.
Your so-called “strong” SAT score is not really that strong for some of the schools in your list as an international student (such as Harvard and Columbia) …and definitely does not compensate for your low GPA. I think even the other 2 schools could be reaches depending on your actual grades. No matter what other high score you get in future, none compensates for a low GPA!
Your standardized test results are above the level at which these schools are liable to bin your application because of weak test scores. Taking more tests isn’t going to help. Apart from SAT scores, what is there to show these schools that you’re one of the top students in your country? Not a number of Cs on your A-levels, and if that’s what your grades are like, I wouldn’t expect too much at some of the most selective schools in the country (and, in the case of some on your list, the world).
Community Colleges?
Your standardized test results are above the level at which these schools are liable to bin your application because of weak test scores. Taking more tests isn’t going to help. Apart from SAT scores, what is there to show these schools that you’re one of the top students in your country? Not a number of Cs on your A-levels, and if that’s what your grades are like, I wouldn’t expect too much at some of the most selective schools in the country (and, in the case of some on your list, the world).
You’re going to have to apply to another university and try to transfer after having a stellar year or two. When you’re applying to some of the best schools in the country, high test scores just aren’t enough.
Havard is just an unreachable dream that i listed for the sake of listing. When i searched up on A’Levels, they stated it as a replacement for AP while O’Levels is considered as “post secondary”. I am not too sure if I am right about this though. But assuming I am correct with my research, would i stand a chance considering my O’Level grades puts me at the top 3-5% of my country?
“Instead, the US universities will generally ask for GCSE’s and AS levelresults, along with an indication of academic progress in the final (A2) year. 5 GCSE passes at grade C or higher are considered the roughequivalent of a US High School Diploma (without Honors or ‘Advanced Placement’ (AP) classes).” Does anyone have any idea if this information is accurate? GCSE is O Levels and AS Level is A Levels