Ivy League Admissions - Case Study #3

Marcel DePaul: International Applicant

Marcel is a cultured, respectful, and polite young man of high motivation from the Middle East. His interests lie in the technical realm and his candidate schools include the most competitive in the world. His command of English is remarkable. His writing sample reveals the deep and early roots of his passion for technology. Marcel's stats:

High school type: Private
GPA: 3.6
Class rank: 2 out of 110
SAT I: 1480 (800 Math, 680 Verbal)
SAT IIs: Math IIC: 800
Writing: 750
Physics: 800
ACT: 33 composite (36 Math, 35 Science, 30 Reading, 29 English)
Senior-year Courses: 4 British A Levels:
Physics
Math
Chemistry
Economics
plus regular school curriculum of:
English
Arabic
Religion, and
Physical Education
Previous APs: Ranked first in nation in British IGCSE exams (5 As, 4 As)
TOEFL: Computer-based: Perfect 300 out of a possible of 300
Extracurriculars: Karate: Black Belt
Clarinet Grade 4 with Merit ABRSM
(Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music)
Member of school band and participant in several school concerts
Winner of most-original comic performance at school talent show
as a member of a comic singing group
Organizer of the first LAN (Local Area Network)
Intramural soccer and basketball player
Prospective Prefect or student government member
Job at a local computer fixer shop
Volunteer work: Volunteering at the local AMIDEAST
Honors: ECIS international math competition winner 97-98
Top IGCSE scores in school 98
International Certificate of Education (ICE) winner with distinction (98)
One of top-3 students throughout high school (#1 twice)
Summer Programs: None
Candidate Colleges: MIT
Stanford University
California Institute of Technology
Princeton University
University of California at Berkeley
Carnegie Mellon University
Cornell University
University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Texas at Austin
Purdue University-West Lafayette
Legacies: None

Writing Sample:

[Marcel explains] This is a copy of the AMIDEAST scholarship search fund essay. The prompt: "Tell us about your future plans and why you wish to pursue them. In addition to that, provide us with a description of your interests and anything that might help us know you better as a person."

Essay:

During the past century, civilization has been progressing methodically towards the use of machinery and technology to improve the efficiency of production and quality of life. The greatest machinery of all being the microchip due to the doors of possibility it opened for technological advancement. Ever since, the field of computer technology has been advancing rapidly and the need for computer specialists has been rising greatly.

My interest in technology in general, and computers in particular, became evident during my childhood. I enjoyed learning more about computers, and experimenting with them to discover new functions and applications. Then my interests in PC inner workings and programming grew. Ever since, I have been a source of information on computers for my colleagues and acquaintances, and I have many a time been called a "computer wiz."

Academically, I excelled throughout primary and secondary school. This led to me being chosen to participate in several academically oriented events and activities such as the ECIS Math League and the Ministry of Education reading competition. I have also been a relatively active member in my school environment and have been voted form captain once.

Such academic involvement had little effect on my extracurricular interests. Throughout my childhood, and into my teens, I have tried to pursue most types of activities including sports, music and reading. Of these activities, my playing the clarinet in particular had a great effect in shaping my character and rounding off the sharp edges of the pure scientific thinking I pursued academically, and in refining my artistic and philosophical side. As for sports, they served mainly as an entertaining outlet and social activity, which I pursued during most of my free time.

I plan to enroll in a competitive college or university excelling in the field of computer science and plan to pursue my education beyond the B.Sc. degree. In college, I see myself participating in areas of sports, music and student government, giving to the college community as well as reaping from it. I imagine my future career encompassing science and creativity, since I love nothing more than to use science as an art and a tool of innovation.

Student Comments: Please note that I am a U.S. citizen by birth only (not ancestry), however, I have lived in the Middle East my whole life and therefore expect allowances for my verbal score. I am applying as a U.S. citizen and indicating my foreign background. Also note that my being ranked second is due to the fact that I am the only top student taking 4 A Level subjects in my school (which is considered the most rigorous possible), which has affected my GPA negatively compared to those who take 3 A Levels only. Also note that my recommendations are nothing short of spectacular, all stating that I am the best student ever encountered in the teacher's career and full of all-out praise.

You make the call. Where did Marcel get in?    Next

Ivy League Admissions - Intro
Ivy League Admissions - Case Study #1
Ivy League Admissions - Case Study #2
Ivy League Admissions - Outcomes & Conclusion