<p>I'm an applicant from India, and have applied to Harvard, Columbia, Dartmouth, Yale, Princeton, Brown and UPenn, amongst the Universities.
I've also applied to the following LAC's: Williams, Bates, Colgate, Grinnell, Swarthmore, Reed and Carleton. </p>
<p>I want to major in Physics, and my scores and co-curriculars are as follows:</p>
<p>SAT 1: 2150, CR&Math=710, Writin=730;
Math Level 2:800;
Physics and Chemistry: 770;</p>
<p>My school transcripts placed me at the top 1% of my class for my 9th and 10th years. However, results have slid down badly over past 1.5 years. </p>
<p>My Co-Curriculars include:
30 odd wins at city, regional and national level at quizzing events.
Several leadership posts at school.
Have won a few national level essay/creative writing competitions, and a handful of national/city level debates and/or Model United Nations conferences.
Over the past 2 months I have received decent ranks in 3 Olympiads, which are held in India, and 7 other countries.
I have helped at a home for the elderly, and have helped to educate underprivileged children from city slums.
Played for my school soccer team.
Have certification in Piano and Music Theory till Grade 5 from the Royal School of Music London.
....etc.</p>
<p>Now, I was deferred by harvard, but that was before my scores for my second SAT Subject Test attempts came in. Would the all-knowing netizens of CC chance this poor soul, keeping in mind that I need full/near-full financial aid?</p>
<p>Your SAT Is are a little below average for your top pics (2250 is average). SAT IIs are good though, which will help a little. Your academic ECs are impressive which is always good. LAC wise I would expect you to get into most of them. </p>
<p>As far as the more competitive universities, Harvard had it pretty right. On the bubble is what I’d say. It’s difficult to give you more accurate measure than that. There’s a lot of luck involved though, so who could say. </p>
<p>yes, i know. Sat 1 scores and my last year’s school transcripts will be huge problems. How’s the financial aid requirement going to affect all this?</p>
<p>Most top universities offer need-based financial aid. So for top tier colleges it shouldn’t have a huge impact (or any, assuming you get in). My school does it solely on parents income (no financial merit-based aid to my knowledge). </p>
<p>thank you. the thing is, after harvard deferred me, i.ve sent in the math 2 800 score, as well as my olympiad results. In addition one of my school techers and a senior of mine who’s a harvard grad, sent in recommendations for me. How does that factor into raising my chances?
Out of the places i.ve applied to, harvard, princeton, grinnell, and upenn seen to attract me the most.</p>
<p>of the liberal arts places colleges i’ve applied to, grinnell, reed, carleton, swarthmore and colgate appeal to me the most and in that order. Could you tell me about their physics departments in relative terms? What are research opportunities like? And most importantly, for me, what are their aid scenarios?
I also have very little knowledge about columbia and brown, to be honest.</p>
<p>while i understand hyp is a real longshot, how would you guys chance me for the rest of the places i.ve applied to. Honestly speaking i.ve seen a person i know, get through to cornell, was denied aid, with a far weaker profile, only beat me in sat1. So is there nothing much left for me to do but hope? :/</p>
<p>I don’t think your chances at Penn are good. From what I heard from my counselor, it is very difficult for internationals to get financial aid from Penn.</p>
<p>Yeah, you seem like a god applicant. SAT isn’t on par and what you said about your transcript is not good either. This combined with FA gives yo a low chance at all the schools. Your very well rounded, however, you have slim chances. Anyway, Good luck!</p>
<p>You’re a great applicant statistically. Your work in the Olympiads is beneficial to your application, but is there a high level of commitment there that can distinguish you?</p>
the thing is, after harvard deferred me, i.ve sent in the math 2 800 score, as well as my olympiad results. In addition one of my school techers and a senior of mine who’s a harvard grad, sent in recommendations for me. How does that factor into raising my chances?
thank you nonetheless!</p>