Who would stand a better chance?

International Students
1

<p>If two candidates from the same under represented country apply to the same schools who would you think stands a better chance? We both need some aid, but mine might be higher than his. Thank you for your help!</p>

<p>The list includes: Dartmouth, Brown, Amherst, Williams, Pomona, Middleburry. </p>

<p>CANDIDATE A<br>
GENDER: Female<br>
AGE: 17<br>
ACADEMIC STATUS: Will graduate June 2014<br>
GPA: 93/100<br>
CLASS RANK: 10/105<br>
SAT: 2050
TOEFL: 117/120<br>
LANGUAGES: English/Spanish<br>
AP COURSES: 8 (scored 4s & 5s)<br>
COLLEGE PREP COURSES: Two, including one with college credit<br>
ACADEMIC AWARDS: Every year<br>
ACADEMIC DISTINTIONS: Member NHS<br>
SCHOOL INVOLVMENT: Strong<br>
SPORTS: Very involved, several awards local and international<br>
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Super Strong w/recognitions
OTHER INFO: First generation to go to college</p>

<p>CANDIDATE B<br>
GENDER: Male<br>
AGE: 19<br>
ACADEMIC STATUS: Graduated 1 1/2 yrs ago, took a Gap year to travel and now is taking the time to prepare his college applications<br>
GPA: 89/100<br>
CLASS RANK: Won’t disclosse but lower<br>
SAT: 2190
TOEFL: 110/120<br>
LANGUAGES: English/Spanish/German<br>
AP COURSES: 2 (won’t disclose scores)<br>
COLLEGE PREP COURSES: None<br>
ACADEMIC AWARDS: None<br>
ACADEMIC DISTINTIONS: None<br>
SCHOOL INVOLVMENT: Strong<br>
SPORTS: Not significant<br>
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Low
OTHER INFO: Both parents college graduates, brother is a legacy at one of the school’s applying</p>

2

<p>It all depends on how student B spent that gap year. He does have a higher SAT, and knows an extra language, but other than that he is the weaker candidate. However, there may be other seemingly small factors that might make him stronger in the eyes of one of the schools, so it depends on the entire applicant pool, and how both fit within that pool.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your answer. As far as I know, he just took the year off. Traveled a little, but mostly took time off for himself. He decided to apply to an American college sometime during this year, and since he did, he has been enrolled full time preparing for his SATs and applications (taking an intense college prep course), I just started my senior year in High School and have a very strong work load, with 4 AP classes, plus sports & extra curriculars, so I don’t have as much time to dedicate to SAT prep.</p>

<p>He told me this is his fifth SAT sitting, I have only taken it twice, and might take it one more time, but that’s it, I just don’t have the time. He is very nice & very smart… but still, he is my direct competition for applications, so it helps knowing how we would each be viewed. It would help if we were applying to different schools, but I doubt that most schools would take two simmilar candidates from such a small country. I just hope we both get accepted at a good school!</p>

4

<p>Candidate A seems to be the stronger among the two and looks nice overall. The fact that Candidate B has a legacy and travelled during the gap year may have a plus advantage but it all depends how he spent the gap year…</p>

5

<p>Thanks for your input! From what I’ve learned, Candidate B did not do anything special during the Gap year. As far as I can tell, he did travel on a family trip, but has mosty spent time taking SAT classes (has taken the SAT 5 times so far).</p>

<p>Candidate A, has traveled in the past: for sports events & college prep classes.</p>