How International Students Can Get In to the Ivy League (how hard is it, really?)

International students have a much tougher time than domestic applicants when applying to Ivies or other T20 US Schools. In this video, Edward will explain how exactly International Students can bump up their chances of receiving an acceptance letter.

[leodito]

very interesting and useful video! could you do a part 2 where you illustrate the number/proportions of applicants from each country?

[TatchaiBunmas]

Is my chance lowered because I study in the UK as a Thai citizen, because I will be reviewed by a UK AO first - which has a lot more competition?

[sandeepdas]

This is so underrated! Thank you so much for the insight. I applied test optional (also applied for financial aid) to Harvard in REA (English major; Neuroscience and computer science minor) and got deferred. I also wasn't offered an alum interview. According to some people, it does conduct interview for most applicants but Harvard says in its website that it doesn't conduct an interview for all the applicants. Now I'm confused if I should take this as a second chance. And if yes, how do I get off the deferred list?
I'm putting out a short summary of my application here for reference please let me know how can I improve my chances at Harvard. I've been working hard for about 4 years now to get into Harvard.

Ethnicity - Asian (from India)
GPA - 3.8-3.85/4 (not sure as my school doesn't use gpa)
Class rank - 1/300
Test optional
Academic awards -
1. best performer and scholarship awardee in international space science essay competition organised by NASA, AMF and Florida Tech. Got selected to attend Space Science Conference in NASA, Kennedy Space Center.
2. Top 1000 performer and secured scholarships in Lifology Global Fellowship held by a Guinness record-holding organization Lifology.
3. Finalist in The Brain Teaser, a mega inter-school quiz competition held by JCI India.
4. Certification of excellence in IT P&PC by NIIT Nguru.
5. Participated in TIMES NIE School Super League organized by TIMES OF INDIA and BYJU'S and secured a scholarship of 4 years.
6. Developed a Python-MySQL project on Atm Management System in Senior year.
7. Took IIT and NEET foundation and advanced courses in high school independent of school curriculum.

Extracurriculars-
1. Volunteered at HelpAge India to raise funds for the elderly.
2. Awarded 1st place in Musical Drama in high school.
3. Served as a writer and editor-in-chief for nonprofits and supervised the literary department, organized meetings, recruited editorial board members, and finalized processing of literary pieces. Produced articles destigmatizing mental health and dispelling evil social norms surrounding women and the LGBTQ+ community. Awarded Certificate of exemplary contribution.
4. Debuted as an author at the age of 17 earlier this year in july on Amazon.
5. Currently working as a Newsletter writer/editor and marketing head at a small business.
6. Co-authored another book which released earlier this week on Amazon and other global platforms.
7. Did a research internship.
8. Founded a literary magazine which focuses on raising awareness through writing campaigns.
9. Featured for my contribution as an activist in Lean in, an initiative to empower women, founded by former facebook/Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg.
10. Interviewed and featured by an American magazine for a success story segment.
11. Core Member of Être Girls, a mentorship platform that provides free college resources, mentoring sessions with female leaders in STEM, and small business owners.
12. Featured art portrait in TIMES OF INDIA.

I'm also planning to participate in 2 academic competitions—one of which is a summer exchange program to study at Oxford/Cambridge upon selection, and a writing competition. I also have 2 independent research papers— one's English, and another's physics, well sort of physics. I'm also planning to preparr for sat for the upcoming march test date but i'm not too sure about it.
(All my extracurriculars are mostly focused on activism and writing)

[Fatimashobbies]

This video was very useful but I want to know if AP classes are necessary because my school does not offer them

[keujjsx]

I'm sorry but what does "quotas" mean 😢?

[jacobgreene]

how hard for student in china (hong kong sar) thank you for response

[naitiksingla]

So I am just going into 11 grade and have no extracurricular activities till now

So i was wondering if I could get enough ec's worthy enough in the next 2 years?

If someone could please answer my question, I would really appreciate it.

[gamerguy]

Do you recommend/is it possible for international students to take IB and AP classes?

[malakboutahar]

is italy a low country with admissions? And here in Italy we can’t choose what to study so how could i take language courses above english if the school doesn’t offer any? should i pay and take them outside school?

[_Lucas.]

If I hold a USA citizenship but live in the UK, how does that work? Because I know most places have regional admission officers... So I will still be read by the same officer as all other UK applicants

[ctnipaddict]

im confused abt what ap classes are and SATs cuz i do alevels instead

[anthonytesla]

Its almost impossible. Less than 1% acceptance rate. And that is if you're full pay.

[HotDemand]

I studied in a US high school for all 4 years but am not a US citizen nor a permanent resident. Am I considered a domestic applicant or an international applicant?

[fariyanahmed]

are International A levels equivalent to AP classes?