SCEA Harvard or ED to Columbia

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I would like to precede this message by noting that I am an international student hopefully with a Canadian citizenship by my time of application. As such, I have plenty of ‘safeties’ within my home country that I may not love, but that I deem acceptable. I also intend on applying to Cambridge. Cost is not a deciding factor here. </p>

<p>SAT1: 770 Math, 770 Writing, 800 CR
SAT2: Will be taking - recent decision to apply US
GPA: 93+ (waiting on a few standardized tests) - in an school with selective admissions and enriched curriculum
Rank: Likely very good.
Courseload: Most rigorous schedule. Have completed Calc BC as a sophomore, independent studies in mathematics (with credit and a final project) for the next two years. I have exhausted the English curriculum- 4 levels in 2 years and am also completing an independent study on religion (the school is secular).</p>

<p>ECs: </p>

<ul>
<li>Research (20+ hours in school year, 40+ during the summer). Done in a specialized field - I have made some advances. While an experimental paper is feasible, it will take too long to go through review. I may try and publish some reviews in undergrad journals. (Have worked in various fields for the past 3 years)</li>
<li>Editor of an internationally recognized Youth Science Journal. We work with the National Research Press and publish student research twice a year.</li>
<li>Hosting a science education event for the aforementioned organization, where I will have students attend seminars by researchers, a Q and A panel and hands on activities.</li>
<li>member of the Minister of Education’s student advisory council: I advise the minister on education, meeting with him for 4 weekends and help organize workshops and a final conference for students in the province.</li>
<li>Youth Advisory Council for the Breast Cancer Foundation </li>
<li>President of the High School science club</li>
<li>Associate Member of Sigma Xi Research Society as a high school student</li>
<li>Started a company unofficially - will not get anywhere by the time apps are due. I am also in the process of writing a book on science education (again, unlikely to be done by EA/ED round).</li>
</ul>

<p>–Non science–

  • Writer for a Youth Think Tank
  • Leader of Model UN club within school; I taught Model UN to students in a class.
  • Debater (less so this year, but qualified for Provincials)</p>

<p>Awards: One of 18 selected to represent country in an international competition (2013), Best in Category for Sigma Xi Online Research Showcase, 2nd in Regional Fair (biggest in country), top 20 (silver medal) for research (2012), various smaller awards for science. Participant in a provincially competitive program for research - gave me 6 weeks of funding. I also used to live in the US and won state awards for writing and business (FBLA - 2nd place, 4th place). Some MUN and speech awards as well. </p>

<p>Other: Difficult family situation - parents were originally living apart, then we had to move to the new country. Some deaths, job losses, so overall very hectic. (The counselor knows). There were 2 B+s frosh year in the US as a result of those circumstances, but overall HS has been crazy.</p>

<p>Last words: Personality wise, I am tightly wound and intense. I obviously love science but I want to have a broad education and know a lot about everything. I like to debate ethics and political science. Harvard has always been a dream but the country I hail from has many top - notch applicants, some of who have had more stable circumstances and been able to win some more awards/get more press. Career wise- I am very ambitious and would like to run a company, work with NGOs/the UN and also be a clinician scientist. </p>

<p>Obviously, I am working on essays but I would appreciate any insight you guys may have.</p>

2

<p>Which school do you like better?</p>

<p>Remember that ED means you promise to attend if admitted and the financial aid offer is acceptable (you won’t be able to compare with other schools before deciding).</p>

3

<p>My parents aren’t overly concerned about FA, if that makes sense. I ran the NPC (though its not exact- as we live abroad) and a friend of mine, whose parents are a bit better off got quite good aid, so that ought not to be an issue. </p>

<p>I just don’t know where I’d fit. I want to have people I can talk to (I have not had that at my current high school). I think the core curriculum at columbia is good and would definitely make me more cultured (which is one of my goals), but I also am considering medical school in the future. Medical school in my home country (I do not want to practice in the US) is quite inexpensive, so cost is not an issue but I do care about having good grades. I can work hard but I am concerned whether I can do very well with music/visual arts writing. </p>

<p>I actually prefer Harvard’s distribution requirements, because they are more flexible but I don’t know how I’d do in SCEA. The people I know who got in through SCEA had many math/science awards, more than I do, but their circumstances were quite different from mine. I am obviously concerned about chances and ‘wasting an EA/ED’. I know its unpopular, but I really would prefer to attend undergrad in the states (I prefer the style) and if I have better chances at one school than the other (which is what an individual who is experienced with Canadian apps has told me), I might as well try there. I just want to see what CCers think- you all have more diverse experiences and I don’t want to mess up this decision.</p>

<p>Edit: I might be able to visit in August.</p>

4

<p>Is your home country in the UK? Otherwise, Cambridge is going to be a financial challenge.</p>

5

<p>No, it is not in the UK. However, my country has an organization that offers a number of competitive scholarships. I may as well give it a try - if it does not work out, it’s fine.</p>

<p>Any opinions?</p>

6

<p>Bump? 10 characters</p>

7

<p>Check the number of students from your school/country that are admitted to Harvard. For example, Harvard has admitted fewer than 20 students from the UAE in the last 30 years and none in the past 2 years. Harvard is not a wise bet for an applicant from the UAE. Columbia accepted over 10 students from the UAE the last two years. For a UAE-based student, Columbia makes much better sense. Should both universities focus equally on your country, I would go for Harvard as Columbia is not as generous with aid for international students. Your friend may have had a lucky break.</p>

8

<p>Is there a way to obtain those statistics? I don’t think they post them, do they?</p>

9

<p>Any more thoughts?</p>