my chance? / Improvements

Dr.Avrah
Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:27:39 +0000

ACT: results not in yet, but I have a pretty good feeling and I’ll retake it anyway.

SAT: my biggest weakness, 1900 points

TOEFL: 118 (nearly full points, 120 is max in case you don’t know)

SAT Subject tests: Results not in yet, I hope for 800 in literature, 700 in math 1 and chemistry I screwed up, however, I’ll take 3 more next month.

I’m taking the IB, predicted grades are all 7 except 2 which are 6; TOK predicted grade is A, extended essay predicted grade is A as well; also, I have 4 instead of 3 HL subjects. I’m the best from my school but because we actually don’t rank the applications just say top10%.

I’m extremely involved in the community, founded several clubs, I’m playing in the school’s basketball team, teach the younger students etc.

I’ve been to the Harvard Summer School and got an A; I had an informal interview, write regularly mails and call so that they see I am really interested; I did not have a real interview yet, but I plan to do so soon. I can choose who I want to interview me, some professors (not Harvard professors, but Harvard graduates) are possible. I think that this would be an advantage because if a professor says: “take this guy!” they WILL take this guy (in this case me); however, if he says: “don’t take him!” they won’t take me. What do you think? Should I take the risk? (I actually think I’ll do quite well in the interview, but who knows.) Or should I refuse an interview (actually a bad idea) or just take a non-professor graduate.

I’ve taken part in a one year university program and studied law; however, no grades were given.

I had several jobs and mentioned them in my application.

My recommendations are excellent, almost everywhere I am “one of the top few ever encountered in my career”, they are detailed, reference particular events, I am in the top 10% and my course choice in comparison to the other students at my school is “most demanding”.

Special Circumstances:

I am international and don’t live in the US (but in Austria, if anyone is interested).
My essays are just really excellent, the best thing I’ve ever written (I don’t want to brag but my teachers tell me the same)
I more or less live on my own (shows them that I’m independent and adult-like, I talk about this in my major essay)

As far as I can see, my only weakness are my SAT scores; however, I don’t think that I can improve them. I had 1500 on my first SAT and got with preparation 1900. But I assume that they won’t be too hard because I’m not a native speaker. Also, 600-800 is the range they ask for, and I’m in this range. In any case, my ACT will definitely be in the 30s, so the guy that finally makes the decision won’t even see my SAT scores.

What do you think how my chances are? Do you see any particular weakness (except of the one I already mentioned), or anything I could do to improve my chances? Thanks a lot for your help