Chances in these universities?

[Kagesou]

Hi,

I know that this isn't an easy question to answer, as things vary from school to school, and between individuals as well.

I'm interested in knowing how much chances I would have if I had:

38/42 IB

Music, Physics, Math HL

English A2, Japanese A1, Economics SL

2000 on the SAT I (How much would it affect my chances if it was 1900?)

All 720 on Physics, Math II, Math I and Japanese on the SAT II

(570 on TOEFL but I might not take it if I do not need to)

I organise two school activities, I am the leader of the school orchestra.

I also have a few prizes in music competitions if that helps.

That is my current goal - I am in year 12 in the UK system (grade 11 in the US I assume)

What chances do you think I will have in the following universities:

Hong Kong University

University of Michigan, Ann Abor

University of California - Berkeley

University of Manchester (engineering, requires 36 IB minimum for the MEng course)

Imperial college (Physics with musical performance, requires 38 IB minimum)

Northwestern University

University of Texas at Austin

University of Wisconsin Madison

University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign

University of Washington - Seattle

I am going to have to choose 8 out of these universities by November.

Also, my current grades are:

36/42 for IB (all 6s)

1690 on the SAT I (I just took it to see what it was like, no studying at all)

I haven't taken my SAT IIs yet - taking them on May 1st

I organise two school activities, I am the leader of the school orchestra.

I also have a few prizes in music competitions if that helps.

What chances do I have with my current grades? and with my target grades?

Michigan/Berkeley are my top 2 choices so if you think I need more of xxxxx then please tell me (:

thanks!

[Caustica]

You seem to be wanting to study physics/engineering at university, so it would definitely help if you had some ECs in that area, especially for the US universities, for which ECs are of high importance. SATs over 2000 would definitely look better on your application. 36/42 might be alright for Imperial provided you get the 3 extra points, but you should definitely try for some 7s in your HLs, since they often have offers requiring that. I'm not too sure about the US universities - the only one I'm familiar with is Berkeley, and that is quite selective. Good luck

[Kagesou]

sorry whats an EC?

sorry im noob

[slizzie]

extra curricular activities

Edited April 16, 2010 by slizzie

[Kagesou]

oh okay thanks!

the problem is i cant really find engineering/physics related ECs.

im going to an engineering summer course at UC berkeley this summer though, does that helP?

[Caustica]

Sure it does! Are there any Science clubs at your school? Maybe you could join them. I see you're from Hong Kong, btw. Which school do you go to?

[Kagesou]

no science clubs=/

SIS

[Sandwich]

no science clubs=/

SIS

Start one! Even if it totally destroys your social status/rep/street cred and you and some very unlucky chosen friend are its only members, make sure the school agree with you that it's official, turn up for a few weeks et voila, awesome point for your application forms Plus even if nobody else comes, you can say you were the "leader" which sounds even better, more proactive and devoted to science than just turning up would Every year at my school there would be a small proliferation of exceedingly dull clubs created and subsequently destroyed just for this purpose

You never know, you might even accidentally make a good club o.o