To be competitive for any ivy, you GENERALLY need a 3.8 or higher GPA and a 2000 or higher SAT. I was deferred and then rejected from Penn with a 3.8 and a 2100…and I’m Native American :p. Unless you’ve got something reallyreally special, you have to get that SAT score WAY up. As far as extracurriculars go, quality and not quantity is generally the way to go…I would need more specifics there.

While your academic stats could be better and your extracurriculars do need to be unique/meaningful, each university wants to build a diverse campus. People here say you would have a shot with higher SATs and a better GPA–but Columbia rejects valedictorians and people with perfect 2400s also, while they admit people with lower stats–in the name of diversity.

You have an interesting background in not being born in the US, and while they have plenty of international applicants, this does give you some help. Perhaps in your essay and interview you can really sell them on your unique and valuable personality.

There are so many factors that you can’t rule it out for sure. I got into Harvard this past year with a 2260 SAT and some solid extracurriculars. If you need SAT help check out INeedAPencil.com and its blog.

Who the hell do you think we are the admissions board, or Carnac the Magnificent?