US of A

[appianway]

As I've received a lot of messages on this forum in the last few months, I thought I'd make a thread to answer any questions. Anyway, this thread is basically for people who've already applied, people who've received offers or people who are considering applying. It's pretty daunting to apply as an Australian student (particularly if you don't go to a feeder school like Scotch or Melbourne Grammar), and if anyone's going through the application process, I'd be happy to help out where I can. (:

[appianway]

Copied from a recent message from a user:

Hey!
I just got a few questions about the application process.
I go to a non-feeder school and has aspired to study in one of the many
prestigious colleges in USA, in particular either of HYP.
However, the process seems kinda of complicated, I'm not sure where to find out
which SAT subject tests to take for the 3 universities, because i presume they may have some prerequisite.
Could you advise me on the process, and when i should take the test ( i have not studied at all at the moment).
I will be really grateful for any help.
Thanks Alot!

1) For the subject tests, be careful about what you take. You usually need at least two subject tests for top schools; I think MIT might require three, but I'm not sure. I took three and I took them all on the same day. The sciences might require a little bit of extra study, but not too much (maybe try getting a revision book... personally I didn't use anything for physics, but I did UMEP). DO NOT DO MATH LEVEL 1. If you do specialist, math level two should be at about the right level. I just did methods but took the math level 2 anyway, and I was fine. Be very wary about the language tests, as those tend to be really really really hard... and stay away from the history subject tests, as the US has a different view on world history...

For the subject tests, you might want to take things which are relevant to what you want to study. For instance, if you want to do the sciences, definitely take math level two, as well as physics, chemistry or biology. It's also good to demonstrate that you're well rounded, so if you're strong in another language (I'm talking high 40s-50 in VCE), take the subject test. The literature subject test is also popular, but it's apparently quite hard.

You can find practice questions on the college board website.

Depending on how much of each subject you've already done, you might need to do a lot of preparation or none at all. You can buy practice books on eBay or find very dodgy practice questions on sparknotes. You need to have done the subject tests on or before the december of the year that you're applying (so if you're going into year 12, you want to have done them before december or in december next year - although when I was in year 12, you couldn't sit the SAT in Melbourne in december). You generally register about a month or two in advance for the test. You can also retake the tests, so take them when you feel comfortable, and if they're a complete disaster, you can always pay again and resit (although this isn't a good option financially and also doesn't look as good as taking it once and acing it). 

[Ravit]

whats wrong with math level 1 if i may ask?

[appianway]

There are two main problems with Math level one. First of all, it's much easier in terms of content than math level two, so if you want to show the colleges that you're good at math (and that you've had good preparation), you don't want to take level one. In addition, the curve for level two is much better - something like 8% of people taking math level two get 800, whereas <1% of people taking math level one do, so you can't afford to make any careless mistakes.

[AnnaT]

I have heard that American/Ivy League schools are really big on extra-curricular activities. I don't really do very many and certainly none that are really significant (ie. I havent gotten awards for them or done them since I was 2 years old...) Is this a really big problem? - Should I even bother looking further into American universities?

Thanks

[appianway]

It depends on which schools you're applying for. If you're going for high level schools, I think it's essential to stand out somehow. This might be through winning a lot of competitions, organizing significant events as an extra curricular or playing sport at a very high level. It depends on where your interests and talents lie. If you're not an athlete, you probably want a very high ATAR and SAT scores above 2200 to be considered, and from there, the essay is probably the most important thing.

[Truck]

Did you have to fly over there for an interview? And if so, when did you do that?

Also, did you submit your application before you found out your ATAR?

[thushan]

It depends on which schools you're applying for. If you're going for high level schools, I think it's essential to stand out somehow. This might be through winning a lot of competitions, organizing significant events as an extra curricular or playing sport at a very high level. It depends on where your interests and talents lie. If you're not an athlete, you probably want a very high ATAR and SAT scores above 2200 to be considered, and from there, the essay is probably the most important thing.

OK, so unless I get at least 670 on the CR on the Jan SAT then I'm auto rejected.

[appianway]

Did you have to fly over there for an interview? And if so, when did you do that?

Also, did you submit your application before you found out your ATAR?

I had my three interviews in Melbourne. You can submit your application for early decision/action in october (decisions announced in december) but I waited until I received my ATAR.

[Truck]

Thanks appianway.

Forgot to ask, who did you ask for references for your application (just teachers?), and was your school involved in the application process at all or did you do it all on your own through the common app.

[Surgeon]

I'm going to be applying to Ivy League colleges and am in Year 12 this year. Harvard is my first preference. I'll be sitting the SAT exam and the SAT Subject tests for World History and Mathematics Level 1. I'm hoping to do very well in both of them so I don't think I'll be too adversely affected by the fact that not a high percentage of people get a score of 800. I'll be graduating from one of Melbourne's most elite private schools in 2012 and play in two sports first teams. Rugby and Water Polo. I'm heavily involved in extra-curricular activities at school. I'm the Intelligentsia club captain, Water Polo captain and Model United Nations club captain. I'm also heavily involved in debating and public speaking, taking part in many competitions throughout the year representing my school. I'm also a member of the Labor Party of Australia. I've been doing volunteer work at a Physiotherapy clinic since November 2010 four hours a week during school term and upto 12-16 hours a week on school holidays. I have also been told that I will receive the leadership position of 'Prefect' at school at the middle of the year, this isn't 100% certain though. Do I sound like I have any chance? Also, do they look at your ATAR?

[Eriny]

^ They look at your ATAR. That's the closest thing they would have to an American GPA.

[appianway]

I was speaking to one of my Australian friends here, and apparently when the Yale recruitment people look at Australian applications, they consider ATAR more seriously than the SATs, if your application is submitted after you receive your ATAR. As a consequence, all of us non-athletes here have 99.85+, and most of us have 99.95.

I asked my English teacher and my Physics teacher for references. I could easily have asked for references from outside school, but they wouldn't have added a new dimension - only do that if there's a side of you that NO ONE can see at school. Your application is long enough as it is.

Also, Hopefulstudent, I'm not an admissions officer - I can't tell you if you'll get in or not. You might get in, but remember that there are many components of your application and that you're competing against students who are the best in the country (and often among the best in the world) in their respective interests. Also, why is Harvard your first preference? How much do you actually know about the school?

[Surgeon]

I was speaking to one of my Australian friends here, and apparently when the Yale recruitment people look at Australian applications, they consider ATAR more seriously than the SATs, if your application is submitted after you receive your ATAR. As a consequence, all of us non-athletes here have 99.85+, and most of us have 99.95.

I asked my English teacher and my Physics teacher for references. I could easily have asked for references from outside school, but they wouldn't have added a new dimension - only do that if there's a side of you that NO ONE can see at school. Your application is long enough as it is.

Also, Hopefulstudent, I'm not an admissions officer - I can't tell you if you'll get in or not. You might get in, but remember that there are many components of your application and that you're competing against students who are the best in the country (and often among the best in the world) in their respective interests. Also, why is Harvard your first preference? How much do you actually know about the school?

Many thanks for your reply. I want to go to Harvard because of it's outstanding history. The education Harvard provides its students in my opinion, is second to none. I would love to study at Harvard College because I would be in a community of very like-minded students that enjoy and excel in sports and other co-curricular activities while placing a great emphasis on academic excellence. Clichè or not, it's why I want to go. I'm planning on applying before I get my ATAR and I will sit my SATs on the 5th of May.

[appianway]

I want to go to Harvard because of it's outstanding history. The education Harvard provides its students in my opinion, is second to none. I would love to study at Harvard College because I would be in a community of very like-minded students that enjoy and excel in sports and other co-curricular activities while placing a great emphasis on academic excellence\

What makes Harvard's history more outstanding than that of Princeton, MIT or Yale? What makes its education better than peer institutions? How is the community different from other top schools, considering ALL select on academics AND extra-curriculars?

Make sure you know why you're applying to a specific school. Learn about the culture, the extra curriculars, the traditions, and the courses. It's a big decision in your life, and aside from that, you'll be asked to explain why Harvard at your interview.