Not Just Luck: How Global Competitions Got These 3 Students Into Harvard, Stanford & MIT

Tina Chulet
Apr 18
4 min read

When it comes to US college admissions for international students, many believe it all boils down to luck. After all, with thousands of applicants boasting near-perfect grades and test scores, how do you truly stand out? Is there a formula, a strategy that actually works?

The answer is yes. And for the students we’re about to talk about, that strategy was crystal clear: international competitions.

I’m Tina Chulet, founder of BlueSkies Ivy League Consulting. I’ve coached students around the world and watched firsthand how competitive awards and honors can unlock doors to top U.S. universities. In this post, I’ll walk you through the real profiles of three students who got into Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Caltech—not just because of grades or test scores, but because of their standout achievements on the global stage.

Let’s break it down.

Key profile achievements for 3 admits of more than 1 of the top 5 US colleges. These students are accepted due to their awards.

Student 1: Harvard Admit with a Global Artistic & Humanitarian Impact

This student had stellar academics—SAT 1560, GPA 4.6, and nine AP exams with 5s. She was also ranked #1 in her class of 31. But what truly made her application exceptional were her achievements outside the classroom.

Davidson Fellows winner for outstanding piano ability — one of the most competitive youth awards in the U.S.
Gold Key in Scholastic Writing Awards for a short story — top ~5% of submissions.
Published five novels with over 9 million international views.
Performed international piano concerts, raising over $10,000 for disaster aid through her own initiative Between You & I.
Completed a business internship helping Nigerian entrepreneurs.

This student’s unique blend of artistic talent, entrepreneurship, and community impact made her unforgettable in the admissions process.

Student 2: Stanford Admit with Olympiad Excellence

The second student had the dream numbers—SAT 1600, GPA 4.8, and seven AP courses with straight 5s. But it was his honors that carried the real weight.

Silver Medalist at the International Biology Olympiad, ranking 4th in theory and 24th overall globally.
Two-time National Science Bowl Champion — a feat achieved by <1% of participants.
Winner of the Ocean Science Bowl at the state level.

He also led a USA Biolympiad study group, captained the Science Bowl team, edited the school’s philosophy magazine, and participated in Quiz Bowl.

This profile showed not just raw talent, but deep, focused involvement in science at the national and international level.

Student 3: MIT & Caltech Admit with Full Scholarship

The third student, a U.S. applicant, earned a 1590 SAT, #1 class rank, and 5s on eight AP exams. But here’s where it got really impressive:

Attended the HCSSiM Math Program in 9th grade (acceptance rate ~10–15%).
Published a research paper in PNAS, a top-tier peer-reviewed science journal with an acceptance rate below 10%.
US Physics Olympiad Semi-finalist (~5% nationally).
US Chemistry Olympiad Semi-finalist (~7–8%).
Made it to the second round of the Mathematical Association of America competition.
Conducted research at Caltech and founded two school clubs focused on physics and biology.

This student built an academic brand around elite research and STEM mastery, backed by tangible proof through competitive honors.

Why Awards & Competitions Matter More Than You Think

All three students had something critical in common: external validation. In an era when top applicants have similar transcripts, competitive awards become the evidence of excellence.

Honors like Olympiad medals, publication in top journals, and invitations to national programs show you’re exceptional beyond the classroom.
Awards come with measurable selectivity—making them easier for admissions officers to assess.
They show grit, perseverance, leadership, and a commitment to your field—key traits colleges like Harvard and Stanford look for.

So if you're planning your college profile-building strategy for top U.S. universities, honors and awards must be front and center.

Is This Really Backed By Data?

Yes. During the Harvard affirmative action lawsuit, internal data on over 160,000 applicants was revealed. Here’s what it showed:

Harvard uses a 1–6 rating system in four areas: academics, extracurriculars, personal qualities, and athletics.
A “1” in any category meant extraordinary achievement, and came with a 15x higher chance of admission.
A “1” in academics wasn’t just grades. It included winning Olympiads, publishing in academic journals, and receiving prestigious honors.

Harvard admissions bell curve of acceptances for undergrad education in the US — Harvard admissions bell curve of acceptances.

In short, if you want to know how to get into Ivy League as an international student, excelling in global competitions is one of the clearest signals of distinction you can send.

What You Should Do Next

Getting to this level isn’t overnight. Many of these students spent years preparing for their awards and research. If you're aiming for the Ivy League, MIT, or Stanford:

Start early. Look into competitions as soon as possible—deadlines often come a year in advance.
Choose your niche. Science, humanities, math, the arts—pick your lane and go deep.
Apply widely. Don’t just aim for the most elite awards. Regional and state-level honors can also make a difference.
Fail forward. Most students don’t win on their first try. But consistent effort is what builds expertise and resilience.
Track and document everything. Your awards need to be clearly presented in your college applications.

If you’re still unsure where to begin or how to structure your journey, I’ve created step-by-step courses designed specifically for students applying to top U.S. universities. These include downloadable databases, competition lists, timelines, and strategy breakdowns.

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