What are my chances (Harvard and Columbia) as an International student

Chance Me / Match Me
1

I’m an international male student (Southeast Asia), and I’m planning to apply next application cycle. I already took one semester at a local university (number 1 in our country) after I graduated in highschool, but I took a time-off (since December) as I focused on writing and finishing my first novel. I’ve already emailed both Harvard and Columbia regarding my situation, and both said I should apply as a freshman (instead of transfer student).

*GPA:
97/100 in senior high school (11th to 12th grade)
93/100 in junior high school (7th to 10th grade; our grading system had a 95 celing grade before)

Top 1 out of 600+ students in a public laboratory school (operating in association with a state university).

*Test Scores
SAT: 1400 (took only once on December 2017; underwhelming score, I know, but I never really knew what SAT was until I came upon it 3 months before my test date)
ACT: Will be taking it later this year, and I’ve been prepping hard for months now. So far, all my scores in practice tests are ranging from 34-36. If I get at least a 35 here, I’m probably not gonna send my SAT score anymore.

*ECs

  1. University Student Council Councilor- As my highschool operates as a unit in a state university, I was eligible to be a member of the University Student Council. I was initially asked by a college student when I was in 10th grade to run for the councilor position, but I lost and got appointed as secretary instead. I was asked again by another college student when I was in 12th grade to run for councilor, and I ended up winning (Number 4 out of the 7 elected councilors).
    I think this is my strongest EC as it is extremely rare for highschool students in my country to be a part of a student council that operated in such a large scale. Working alongside college students at least 15 hours a week also became a really transformative experience for me as a leader and a student.
  1. Highschool publication- I've been the editor-in-chief of our highschool newspaper for three straight years (10th to 12th grade) and a staff member since 8th grade. Also joined and won numerous journalism contests (but sadly never able to qualify in the National level (the highest I've been in was Regional level))
  2. University-wide writing contests- Won 4 times in different writing competitions against both highschool and college students in our school.
  3. Got published in a national newspaper 3 times.
  4. My first novel is already set to be published by a major publishing company in my country. It is a dystopian reimagining of my country, and I have profoundly tackled themes and issues that are politically and socially relevant.
  5. National literary awards (deemed as the Pulitzer prize in my country)- I have won two literary awards (screenplay and essay categories) last year.

*Recommendation Letters
This is probably my biggest problem, as I don’t really want anybody to know that I am applying for international schools (I just wanna keep everything lowkey).
I have one teacher though that I’ve already told about my college plans before, and she’s been my English teacher for two years. She has also emailed me a lot of times before (congratulating me on my wins on writing competitions), so I think she’ll be excited to write a recommendation letter.

*Essays
I’m torn between two essays of mine. The first one taks about my decision to take a time-off from college and focus on writing my novel. It also talks about my goal to create an impact to my country’s literary industry, and how I used writing as a powerful mode of self-expression, subversiveness, and social activism. This essay substantially contextualizes my unconvential college journey and also highlights my interest in pursuing creative writing or English literatue in college. The second essay, I think, is much more unique, personal, and vulnerable. It discusses my day to day life with my Alzheimer’s stricken grandfather and subtly highlights my compassion and character as an individual.

That’s it. I’d appreciate any constructive feedback. Also, should I apply for Harvard’s or Columbia’s EA? Do you think I have a strong chance of getting in?

2

What are you looking for in a college? It’s hard to answer the question about which you should apply early to when you haven’t said anything about that.
Have you been able to visit them?

3

get ur sat above 1530 for a serious consideration as an international studnet

4

If OP can get 34-35 on ACT as his practice tests show, SAT score is irrelevant. This is good enough for any ivy.

5

@SJ2727
Yes, the purpose of this response is to just indicate a range of standardized test scores in which international students are considered competitive.

It doesn’t matter if OP takes sat or the act

6

I would do the literary essay. Lots of people have elderly relatives with Alzheimers etc, not many HS/first year undergrad students have a real publishing deal, and your literary ability is what makes you a potential star.

7

@cateblanchettt Harvard publishes a searchable index to their international enrollment here: http://www.hio.harvard.edu/statistics Select Show me Students from (your country) at Harvard College. Remember the numbers shown are for students in all 4 years of Harvard College, so picking a random SE Asian country (Indonesia) shows 1 students enrolled, that means that Harvard has enrolled only one student during the last four years from Indonesia. To have a chance of success you need to be the best of the best in your country. Good luck!