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Hey y'all, this may seem a bit far-fetched, me applying to these universities, therefore I have decided that the legends at the college confidential discussions are the only people that can help. Not sure whether any of you guys know how the South African Matric (I am from South Africa by the way!) system works as our marks are slightly lower that that of American high schools and we receive percentages rather that a 'GPA' or alike...
Anyway here are my stats...

Academics:

English - 83%
French - 80%
Physical Sciences - 90% (Combined Phys + Chem)
Maths - 98%
Advanced(Additional) Maths - 98%
Accounting - 82%
Computer Studies - 92%

Rank (1st/2nd/3rd (It changes from term to term) out of 120)

Science Expo Medal Receiver
Maths Olympiad Qualifier

Plus Multiple awards for Diligence and Distinction in various subjects.
4 merit awards for outstand work during the year.
Academic Braid
Academic Colours
Academic Honours
SAT I : 780M 720V
SAT II : 700LIT, 740WORLDHIS., 720PHYS.

Sports:

Tennis (2nd Team)
Golf
Squash
Road Cycling

Extra Curricular:

Mountain and Road Bike Club
Debating: 2nd Team
Webmaster Debating Web-Page
Chess Society
Boxing
Film Society
Wine Appreciation
Archives Society
Art and Architecture

Service:

Community Partnership Projects:
Pietas Interact (Sub Division of Rotary)
AID'S Orphan's Soup Kithen
SOS village maintenence
Active Blood Donor
Blood donor representative council.
SMILE (Rural schools out-reach program)
Maths Support Class (Peer to peer assistance)
About 300 hours in total.


Leadership:

Student Academic Leader
Pietas Interact Chairman/President
I.T. Student Prefect
Captain 2nd Team Tennis
Michaelhouse Leadership development course
Work Exposure at Actuarial Solutions, working on AID's statistics in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Well...
What do you think.

If you think that these universities are a bit out of reach could you perhaps recommend some that aren't???

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 04:03 am: Edit

Anyone...

By Alexandre (Alexandre) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 08:51 am: Edit

No, you aren't aiming too high. You are ranked in the top 3% of your class and you have a 1500 on your SAT. Clearly, you are an excellent candidate. But you need a couple of more realistic schools. What do you want to study and do you require any financial aid or can your family cover the costs?

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 10:06 am: Edit

Thanks for replying. I am considering a career in design (not sure which area yet) or actuarial science. Will definately need financial aid! What kind of 'Realistic' Schools?

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 01:32 am: Edit

Yo Alexandre! You still there? I need your advice!

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 03:40 pm: Edit

WD -
design and actuarial science is an interesting combination - not too many colleges offer the actuarial as a major. Would a math/statistics major work - I can search on that.

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 06:04 am: Edit

Math/Statistic major would work! Do you know any colleges that are particularly good in these fields??? Also,I have just completed research and synthesis for an actuarial paper which I have co-wrote (to a degree) and will be published at the end of the year -- Do colleges like this kind of stuff???

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 02:13 am: Edit

Any suggestions???

By Alexandre (Alexandre) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 04:22 am: Edit

Mathematics:

University of Chicago. Still a reach, but a bit more reasonable than the other schools.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. If you apply in the next 2 or 3 weeks, you have an excellent chance of getting in.

University of Wisconsin-Madison. Great Math program and it should be a safety for you.

By Alexandre (Alexandre) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 04:57 am: Edit

Quick addition. Michigan and Wisconsin do not give aid to internationals.

You may want to look at Liberal Arts Colleges like Grinnell, Vassar, Oberlin, Colby, Bates, Macalester and Reed. They would be matches/safeties given your credentials and they are awesome in Math and they give reasonable aid to internationals.

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 05:50 am: Edit

Thanks Alexandre, Will definately consider those colleges. What can I do to improve my chances at my 'Reaches' colleges - ie; weak areas???

By Alexandre (Alexandre) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 06:57 am: Edit

There isn't much to improve on. You need to write excellent essays to separate yourself from the rest of the applicants. You also want to make sure you apply on time. For example, Cornell has a two-part application process. You need to forward the first part in September. So if you did not yet do it, you may want to hurry and do it now.

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 10:42 am: Edit

Yes, colleges like publications in scholarly journals! In your application, note that your paper has been accepted for publication in X journal scheduled for y date. When it is published, you could send a copy of the article to your schools in your continuing interest and updates letter in January or February.

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 10:54 am: Edit

Another thing, how essential is is to get a review of your essay, or a specialist to make changes ??? Is it really worth a hundred bucks?

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 11:48 am: Edit

I think so. I assume you have had a non-specialist review for grammer, etc. (an english teacher, maybe).

By Midwesterner (Midwesterner) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 12:00 pm: Edit

Here is the best listing I've seen for actuarial schools:

http://www.soa.org/ccm/content/?categoryID=1260076
I think Illinois at Champaign-Urbana has the largest program.

Also look at:
http://www.beanactuary.org/hs/skills.cfm

Most actuarial programs are a standard math/statistics curriculum for freshmen and sophmore years, with specialization coming in junior and senior years. You could major in math almost anywhere and then transfer after two years. This approach would maximize your chance of good finanial aid. In addition, actuarial firms do hire math majors without any actuarial background.

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 02:18 am: Edit

Ohio_Mom -

The paper wasn't for a scholarly journal, it was published for the goverment, and, more specifically, the United Nations as it was a synthesis on the financial burden of AIDS in different work sectors in sub-saharan africa. Will the collges recognise this?

Also, I am only allowed to study on the east coast as we have family there and it would cut air faires a bit! Chicago perhaps though not sure how friendly my parents will be towards this...

Does anyone have any suggestions with regards to wanting to specialise in design, probably architecture - ie; Which colleges ???

By Collegeparent (Collegeparent) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 09:32 am: Edit

Architecture -- Princeton, Virginia, Yale --

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 11:21 am: Edit

WD -
"The paper wasn't for a scholarly journal, it was published for the goverment, and, more specifically, the United Nations as it was a synthesis on the financial burden of AIDS in different work sectors in sub-saharan africa. Will the collges recognise this?"

I would think so. Certainly makes you stand out. You will need to define the work, publication details, etc. You could include an additional rec from one the the adults that is familiar with you and the project. I think the main thing is to get across what the work entailed. After all, its not - Academic Decathlon Grades 9-12 - the usual sort of thing.

Schools that offer statistics and architecture that you might like to consider:

CMU
UPenn
Cornell
Columbia
Penn State University Park
University of Toronto

No idea how good the programs are - but at least they have your majors.

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 11:38 am: Edit

Oops, you have Cornell and UPenn on your list already. Penn State might be a good safety - they offer many classes in a variety of programs, and Honors kids get a lot of perks. One of my son's friends attends and he is happy - got to take beekeeping on top of his physical science courses.

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 07:23 am: Edit

Thanks -
Could you perhapos answer an off the topic question? How does the Early Action system work? Are you allowed only 1 early action collge? does it increase your chances?

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 02:03 am: Edit

bump...

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 02:05 pm: Edit

Non-binding EA means you submit early (Nov. 1 or 15th, typically) and get and an answer early (end of the year or January), but don't have to decide which school until May 1. Good choice if you don't have to submit your midyear grades to support your application or need one more SAT retake to be competitive. Do a search on EA or Early Action in the Admissions or Parents thread - there are some issues you can can into with EA and ED deadlines.

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 10:18 am: Edit

Not being from the states I am not sure whether I will stay there after university. What are the careers I have mentioned (Actuary, Architect) like there??? Well Paid???

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 10:18 pm: Edit

I believe that that actuaries are both well compensated and in demand - it is a very difficult and disciplined field. Architecture is different - the compensation can vary wildly. My dad is an architect; it is a difficult profession if you are a creative person (as most are) because in the majority of cases your creations are subject to severe constraints and limitation. A painter can paint what he wants on his own time. A architect can design after hours, of course, but may never see his vision translate to reality. Obviously, this bothers some more than other, depending, in part, on whether you can see your vision. If you enjoy working in a group, and be happy collaborating on a project (until you have made your name and can do as you wish to a degree) - you might be very happy as an architect. If it is you, and your vision alone - it may be very difficult for you, and the emotionally clearer world of numbers might make for a happier life.

I think that you are very wise in hedging your bets and looking for a college that offers both courses of study. Perhaps if you have the opportunity for an intership in an architectural firm it will help you learn if this is for you or not.

Didn't mean to be quite so down - but I can hardly think of two careers more different.

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 10:25 pm: Edit

WD,
I was just talking with my son, and he tells me to remind you that the drinking age in this country is 21. Wine Appreciation would never make it in his HS, LOL!

By Witchdoctor (Witchdoctor) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 01:21 am: Edit

lol... (Drinking age is 18 over here)