I want advice on how to improve my chances to get into either Harvard, MIT or Amherst. Can someone give me advice?
So..... I'm a Brazilian student, and my country's education system does not offer AP or IB classes. I've been doing SAT and ACT mock tests online to practice until I pay the 98 dollars to take them, and I have a MET English proficiency exam's predicted grades (even though Unis require IELTS/TOEFL). I learned of the opportunity to go abroad only earlier this year. So.... Here's my info:
- My country's education evaluates us in a scale of 0 to 10. The grades on my report card range from 8.5 to 10, with more 10s and 9s than 8.5s. Never below that. Occasionaly I have a 5 on a test, so on other tests I get 10s to make up for them. So, my GPA ranges from 3.0 to 4.0. My best grades are Math, Portuguese, English, Literature and Chemistry. I'm in my sophomore year, so not that many time to increase my odds. Here's my info:
- My extracurriculars are strong. I am my school's Choir lead male voice, my school's orchestra lead ´Bari Sax player, I am part of a volunteer group (freemasonry sponsored) that does beneficiary work, such as planting trees, taking garbage off streets, giving blood and food to my town's food bank. I am also part of my school's theater group. I also won a regional volleyball competition as a mid blocker with my town's sub-17 team. I have a A1 in German certificate by the Goethe Institute. My MET predicted scores are C1 on both parts.
The platform calculated my chances of getting into Harvard or MIT on 3% with no SAT/ACT scores, and Amherst is an 8% chance without standirized tests scores. If a stranger would be so kind to answer this question and tell me how I can increase my chances of getting in (also, a few things to be careful when taking the SATs), maybe to a 15% on each. I don't know how competitive these universities' music undergrad programs are, but I guess being international and needing a full-ride scholarship would bring my chances down I guess.
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3 answers
Hi, first for full scholarship you need to look into programs, cause the universities doesnt give full scholarship.
like fullbright program, etc. embassy-
Hi!
First of all, your extracurriculars are stunning. I would say that the one thing that you could do to improve is take on an individual project. For example, I'm wrote a book that I'm trying to get published. For these super prestigious schools you need something to help you stand out from other students that also have spectacular extracurriculars.
Secondly, I would make sure to get good scores on the SAT and ACT. Many scholarships are based on these scores. They don't need to be perfect, but I would suggest aiming for the ninetieth percentile or better.
Good luck!
I am looking at music major as well. Very few students go to MIT for music thus making it even more competitive. None of those schools are well known for music. I would look at other schools.
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The thing is: those are three of the only five need-blind unis in the US. I think of getting in with an application for music and get a dual-degree program. Probably a Computer Science/Music dual major.