My chances for Stanford?

Poseur
Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:59:54 +0000

Well, it’s pretty understandable that your SAT is low, considering that English isn’t your first language! Your 760 in Math shows that you are very good at the subject (that’s probably, like, two questions wrong!), your Math IC and Physics scores are great, and the TOEFL should make up for your lower CR and Writing scores.

I don’t know anything about Bulgarian physics competitions (obviously XD) but your record looks really, really good! Also, having a research paper is a great EC, even better if it’s published (is yours published anywhere?)

Based on your friend’s experience (after all, I know nothing firsthand about applying from Bulgaria), you have a really good chance at Stanford! Just wow them with your essays.

MIT is really into people with math and physics awards, as well as high scores (which you have in everything but CR and Writing), so I think you can get in! Well, let me revise that statement: I hear that they’re really numbers-and-awards-driven, but my friend who got in disagrees. She says that it’s all about presenting yourself as an interesting person; they really look at you as a holistic candidate. So again, acceptance will ride on your essays. :]

Caltech, I hear, really pays attention to scores – but I’m sure they’ll be forgiving of low CR & W scores for a non-native English speaker.

Brown isn’t nearly as numbers-driven. Present yourself as an interesting, intelligent, capable person (as you did in this post!) and you’ve got a really good chance.

Best of luck! I’m sure you’ll do great. :)