Expert: Jake Lanier - 1/26/2001

Question
Hi!

I am a 15-year-old student from a top school in Asia.

I am taking my GCSE ‘O'-level papers for 10 subjects next year. I currently take English, Higher Chinese, Chinese, E. Maths, A. Maths, Social Studies + English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Music.

I wish to go to Oxford/Cambridge University in the U.K. or  the Ivy League in USA after my ‘A'-levels. I plan to take the Arts course [ English, Economics, C Maths, Literature] for my ‘A' levels and attempt 2 S-papers for English and Economics.
I plan to take English, Economics or Journalism for my majors.

I am active in my extra-curricular activities and plan to do voluntary work during my holidays.

What are my chances of getting into the Universities I mentioned above?

How about my chances of getting a scholarship?

What are the above universities looking out for?

Thanks.


Answer
writegirl,
    I cannot easily transfer foreign classes to classes taken in the US, but I can kind of guess.  Being an international student with good grades and strong English skills is a good plus.  You have a lot of the skills that those particular schools desire and I know the Ivy Leagues like to accept international students.  They are very competitive schools and will be looking out for your extracurricular work, writing skills, grades, and scores on the International exam for colleges (which I can't think of the name).  Most scholarships are need-based, but since you are an international student, they have scholarships for that individual category.  I feel you have a good chance of obtaining a scholarship.  I hope this information helps out, and if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.