Hey everyone, I’m in 11th grade and seriously aiming for an Ivy League school. Just wondering if my profile is decent enough.
I’ve done a Coursera course from Google and UPenn, and I got 5 A*s and an A in my IGCSE boards. I’m a district-level basketball player and captain of my school team. I’m also into debating and won four medals at the World Scholars’ Cup in Korea.
Outside of academics and sports, I’m a classical dancer with four years of certification and I play piano, getting a distinction on my Trinity initial keyboard exam. I even did an internship at Puma. I’m planning to ace 11th and 12th grade, and my teachers are willing to write good LORs.
So, yeah, what do you guys think? Any tips or advice would be a huge help!
hey @KapoorAaru your profile already looks super solid — Coursera courses, great IGCSE results, basketball at district level (plus captain!), debate wins in Korea, dance and piano, even an internship at Puma. That’s a really strong mix of academics + extracurriculars. For Ivies, though, the trick isn’t just “doing a lot,” it’s showing impact + leadership.
A few things you could add to level it up:
Passion project/initiative – Start something of your own, like a debate club, basketball training for kids, or even a cultural project mixing your dance/music skills. Ivies love to see leadership and originality.
Research/mentorship – Since you’ve done online courses, maybe reach out to a professor or researcher to work on a project. Even a small one can stand out.
International exposure – You’ve already got debating abroad, but if possible, join more global programs, summer schools, or competitions.
Community work with a twist – Instead of generic volunteering, tie it to your strengths (like mentoring juniors in debate or running basketball workshops for underprivileged kids).
Essay prep – Start drafting early. Use essays to tell your story, not just list achievements. Ivies value authenticity big time.
National/International recognition – Try to push one area (basketball, debating, or dance) to a higher competitive level. Having that one “spike” really helps.
overall your profile is already impressive. But if you layer in a clear passion project, leadership, and a bit more depth in one or two areas, plus strong essays and LORs, you’ll be in a great position for Ivies.
@KapoorAaru You’ve got a really solid profile already strong academics, leadership in sports, achievements in debating, arts, music, and even an internship at Puma. That mix of academics and extracurriculars is exactly what Ivy Leagues like. The key now is to keep your grades top-notch in 11th and 12th, prep for SAT/ACT if you’re giving it, and try to build more depth in one or two areas so it looks like a real passion. With good essays and LORs, you’ll be a very competitive applicant