I’m a German (international) student, living in Shanghai, China, looking to study in the United States…
Facts & figures first:
I’m a participant of the IB diploma and take Higher level: English, Business and Geography II Standard level: Mandarin (Chinese), Biology & Mathematics
Prediction: 40 points
Took the SAT and only got 1700. Taking it one more time in October though this year.
GPA will be converted later on when I’m closer to the application process, since the school I attend functions under a British curriculum -but from what I have read, a 39 would convert to something like a 3.8… so a 40 could possibly be a 3.9?
Anyway…now to the more qualitative bits:
- Team captain of the varsity swim team
- Simultaneously a swim coach to help youngsters imrpove their swimming skills
- Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold level
- I tutor mandarin to a 6th grader at advanced level (I’m fluent in Chinese, German & English)
- Went to Cambodia for educational charity for the poor and helped build shelters for the prevalent poverty - 2 weeks
- Head boy & Member of the student council
- Won the creativity, action service award - for extensive philanthropy and engaging with world issues
- Active ECO committee
- Organized a fundraiser (christmas fair) and raised $30,000 - money went to a Tanzanian charity
- 2 week long internship at the Hilton hotel in Shanghai
And a chance on the University of Miami would be great too. Sorry, forgot to mention that.
You need to get your SAT in the 2200 range for UCB/UCLA and around 2000+ for USC/UCSB for a decent chance at an acceptance. GPA seems to be on target. Can you afford the California UC’s at around $55k+/year with little to no FA available for International students?
Yes, I was aware of that. I do not have any concern with the financial aspect within my application. You may also be well aware that all of the schools mentioned above function under ‘Holistic admission’, which means that they take more than JUST SAT scores and GPAs into account when deciding on admission.
Yes, I am aware that the schools listed use “holistic admissions” however, if you take a look at the common datasets for the California UC’s, GPA/Test scores/HS course rigor and essays are highly considered. USC will also look at your LOR’s which are not part of the UC application. Your EC’s will definitely come into play for admissions but again no way to really predict how much of an impact.
You still need to be in the ball park for your academic stats meaning at or above the average for a good chance at an acceptance.
Average SAT for UCB: 2094 UCLA: 2064 and UCSB: 1937 plus you are International which means that acceptances are even more competitive.
Thank you so much 
do you have any information on the university of Miami?
Sorry, not familar with Univ of Miami. Here is a link to the common dataset for this year, so you can compare your Stats to those listed. GPA is unweighted in the common dataset.
https://umshare.miami.edu/web/wda/planningresearch/CDS1415.pdf
Wow @consherbertz, kind of nervy trying to school an experienced poster, like @Gumbymom who:
^has children at a UC, and has been through the process,
^Is a California tax paying resident,
^has a great knowledge-base of information on California schools and how our schools work on holistic admissions.
She was trying to help you understand, in gentle terms, that your SAT is nowhere near getting you into any of the posted UCs.
My children and I, as well as my former students have experienced the same process.
All the UCs look at GPA and Test scores FIRST.
If you can’t pass these hurdles first, then you can assume that the “holistic review” of the rest of your application won’t bear much weight.
High school records, especially from California Taxpayers’ children, is part of that “holistic” review.
Hi aunt bea, I’m sorry if my response to Gumbymom’s reply came across as a bit nervy, it wasn’t my intentention to ‘school’ anybody. I just wanted to make sure that she understood the process, which - you both - clearly do! My apologies.
Since the university of Miami doesn’t request an SAT from international students, is there any way you could chance me?
I don’t know anything about Miami, sorry 
I know a little about Miami. A good amount of kids go there from my school. Your gpa and EC’s are very good. Your SAT is about 150 points below average however. I think you have a decent chance. If you got your SAT somehow up 300 points i would say your definitely in.
Hi MegaMetalHead, thanks for your reply! I actually did some research on Miami and it said that international students shouldn’t submit neither an SAT nor an ACT for admission. Thanks for the chance though.