Damn, you’re good. Yeah, it hasn’t been done yet. Only got the offer a few days ago.
If it is a standard internship at an IB then most people know about it and there is no need to say more it. I thought it was more of a special program sponsored by an IB.
When my kid was applying to our state’s Governor School, to make it into as a runner up was an achievement, and she was advised to list it on her application. Lucky for her, she was actually selected.
I think it’s special in the nature of the competitiveness, the sort of kids who get one, the work they can be exposed to. It does show the drive to try. But colleges like S and H will see it, say check, and keep reading. The risk is in trying to overplay it. It’s great and speaks for itself.
Anyway, congrats. But I stand by my thoughts that your really need to “read” a tippy top to know how to present. They know what they want and applicants need to, also.
I’ve talked a lot about books on my application and my love for stories etc. I was thinking of linking my love for investment banking, politics and how every company/constituent has a story which drew me to investment banking in the first place. Obviously, much more polished.
What do you think? @lookingforward
We don’t know much about you, OP. But we know Stanford’s transfer admit rate is 1%, 20 kids from 2000 applicants. Harvard, earlier this year, said about 12 admitted out of 1400-1500 apps. There just isn’t the attrition to have more spaces. One needs to be stellar. And you’ll compete among kids who meet institutional and dept needs. If a dept is full enough, that’s that. Very different than even as a freshman.
We don’t know why you “need” to transfer or where you are now. The better the college you’re at, the harder it is to show them you need to be there. Nor do we know what other colleges you’re considering. Or stats, rigor, accomplishments.
I think you can see the hints this is more than a personal inventory. They want to see the actions that matter, the proofs. But wrapped up in a nice guy/gal, ready to hit the ground on all fronts.
I don’t think IB internships help with college applications (or transfers) much. Yes, they’re competitive because there’re still too many kids who want to get into IB, even though IB is less lucrative post financial crisis and the attrition rate is very high (probably better than 70% after attrition and self-attrition after a few years). The type of training doesn’t really align with what colleges look for. An internship does help one land a job at an IB upon graduation, however.
IB internships and IB work experience can help with respect to getting admitted to highly selective MBA programs and to undergraduate business schools. Much less significant for one majoring in political science.
I mean my stats are solid but so is everyone else’s. For Stanford, I know they like to take non-traditional students and I’m the opposite of non-traditional. I haven’t had the most easy life but at the end of the day, compared to some people, I’m fairly lucky.
I’m also well aware of how competitive it is to transfer so at the end of the day, I wouldn’t be disappointed if I didn’t get into Harvard/Stanford. I’m applying there and I have a valid reason for transferring. Stanford/Harvard aren’t the only institutions I’m considering.
My current university is probably top 25 worldwide according to US News and I would say it still has a fairly rigorous education.
@publisher @1NJParent I’m majoring in political science because I really enjoy politics, I’ve set up two activist groups at school that I’m president and founder of (we’ve got 4000 signatures for a petition that I feel strongly about and raised money for a local charity in that area), interned in a politician’s office, served on a board, student government at high school, raised $10,000 for local charities, political party volunteer, co-treasurer of my badminton club, I’m currently running for a election as a trustee of my local hospital (if I got elected, I’d be managing nearly $165 million of spending annually with the rest of the board of governors which would look damn awesome).
I know my stats are the average for someone majoring in political science but I do feel like they demonstrate my passion for politics.
I do have a few financial internships on the side and I’m interning at a investment bank. I’m also going to be interning at an asset management firm (hopefully, fingers crossed). And a relation has offered to give me an internship at his private equity firm. I hope that they don’t detract from my interest in political science. I’m just keen to explore all sorts of industries and I find that the skills acquired from a financial firm are useful for constructing policy. So many politicians have been former bankers.
How old are you? It would be very unusual for a typical college age kid to truly co-manage $165 mil, cold and out of the blue. Not sure what you mean about “non-traditional” students. It usually refers to 25+ years old, with some education interruption.
Again, with the confusion: what’s “average for someone majoring in poli sci?” You need top stats for S and H.
You came here askig about one fin internship. You have more? Now it turns out you have more and may get yet another? That will be a confusing picture. I am not saying you delete any. But at the top, adcoms look for an applicant’s thinking. It shows in choices made- in life and in completing the app. This doesn’t “detract” from your app but will leave the adcoms wondering just what you’re thinking (and have been thinking.)
My best advice is you’ve got to understand more of what any target wants. Founding an activist group is not the same as working with an established advocacy group, with responsibilities. You previously thought the petition would go nowhere. And so on.
You have some time to pull this together. But to properly strategize, you need to be informed. I honestly don’t know what sort of advice we can give you, beyond that. Your details are still behind a veil. They aren’t looking for a string of fin internships for poli sci and your interest in “exploring.” Actual accomplishment matters very much.
@lookingforward I’m not really expecting to get in anywhere to be honest. I’m just applying much like the other 2000 people who applied. Regardless of whether I get in, my life will be pretty much fine either way. I’m not exactly going to cry either way although it would be slightly disappointing. With or without Stanford, I know I’ll go on to do great things in life.
And yes, the hospital spends 165 million annually (I was surprised how much money is spent). There are 30 trustees who manage the overall expenditure, the direction the hospital is going in, and strategies for the hospital to maximise patient outcomes. They don’t manage the day-to-day but the overall picture on what services to provide etc. My Dad’s a trustee and he suggested that I should run because the board of trustees isn’t as representative of the local community as it could be. A lot of the board are doctors while they don’t have as many non-doctors on the board. I’m 19-years-old.
Another trustee also said it would be a good idea if I ran, but I have to get certain hospital leaders to vote for me. Election results are announced soon. I’d also then be able to demonstrate that I’ve contributed to the hospital (it runs a deficit right now so I could block votes on spending and put that on my application).
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That will be a confusing picture. I am not saying you delete any. But at the top, adcoms look for an applicant’s thinking. It shows in choices made- in life and in completing the app. This doesn’t “detract” from your app but will leave the adcoms wondering just what you’re thinking (and have been thinking.)
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Again, that’s why I was debating not including a single investment banking internship on the application because I was worried about that.
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what’s “average for someone majoring in poli sci?” You need top stats for S and H.
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S/H aren’t my first choices. They’re my ‘dream’ choices but I’m realistic. I have other choices. Academically, I’ve always been pretty good but average for Stanford/Harvard. 35 ACT, top grades etc.
Do you have experience managing large funds? Can you name the major outlays? I think not. Adcoms will think not and can assume your role is passive. No, it’s not a good idea to just randomly vote against spending. The place needs to run and decisions are not so simple.
I’m not sure if you don’t get it or are teasing us with the lack of info.
I mean I haven’t been elected yet. I’m not even sure I’m going to be elected as there are 3 trustee seats open and 7 candidates. Not teasing anyone - I just don’t want to give that much away because if anyone is reading this is important, my application will be obvious. I’m 99% not going to be elected because other candidates have worked in the hospital/charities for 20+ years.
I assist my Dad with his work. Dad’s been a trustee for over 15 years but I disagree with him on a lot. It can be as passive as I want; if I wanted to attend no sub-committee meetings, it would be up to me. My vote isn’t going to be random as my entire ideology relies on cutting spending and services. I’d cut services because that’s what I believe in. I firmly believe that the hospital needs to cut certain services that contribute to the 14 million deficit. If it were up to me, I’d cut every service that isn’t profitable. I can name the major outlays: remunerations for staff which is why if elected, I’d actively work to cut, cut and cut.
Obviously, I’m not campaigning on that. That’s more of an ulterior motive lol. If I got elected, on the common app, I’d mention something about the hospital saving my life and wanting to give something back blah blah blah.
MODERATOR’S NOTE: Since this has become a conversation between two posters and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, I am closing the thread. The posters may communicate by PM.