International Student's (Me) Chances?

DanieleZ
Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:44:20 +0000

Hi, I’m a Swiss student attending a public high school in Switzerland, and my dream would be to be able to attend an Ivy League college in the US (though I’m sure if my choices are really Ivy League) like MIT, Stanford, and NYU. I’m interested in studying Economics or Math.

But from what I’ve read, it takes a LOT of goods to get accepted, so I was wondering what you think my chances are.

I don’t really know how to convert my grades into American letter grades, so I’ll just post them in Swiss form, (6=highest, 1=lowest, Wikipedia for further details)
English 6/French 5/German 5.5/Math 5/Chemistry 5.5/Biology 5.5/Physics 6/Music 6/ Art 5.5/History 5/P.E. 5.5

I’m also aware that grades aren’t enough: I’m taking Economics & Law as my high school “Major”, so to speak (you have to choose a major here); I play piano; I enjoy Drama Club and I’m going to play in a piece by the Stadttheater (Berne’s main theater); and I’m learning Chinese (I’m planning on spending a year abroad there).

Can anybody tell me what my chances are? What’s good? What’s bad? What I can do better?

Thanks in advance.