I know that colleges read the applications of people applying from the same high school or geographical region together.
But if you’re an international student going to a US high school, is your application read alongside others from your high school or read alongside the applications of other international students?
I’m wondering because international admissions are more competitive and have higher-achieving applicants so it would be an advantage if my application was compared to others in my high school instead of compared to other international students.
There are many different types of reading processes…not all colleges read by HS or geography.
Your academics will be evaluated relative to your HS curriculum and peers, but you will be considered in the international pool of applicants.
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And do t20 colleges have a quota on how many international students they can admit? Thanks for your response
See what percentage internationals are to the total at your target schools. It will be roughly the same percentage next year and the year after that. But the college will not call it a quota.
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Most colleges compare your application with others applicants of your school or region. I’ don’t know how then they choose you from others internationals.
Check some colleges with high acceptance rates, not just T-20.This process is very hard for international applicants with financial need.
I take issue with this statement. My children were high achievers. Usually top 5 in a school of over 2000 students. My son was top 3 with high SAT scores and EC’s including athletic awards. My daughters were also top students with athletics and one was an athletic recruit.
It’s not just about grades, it’s about what your passions show. Every college or university is trying to build a class. You will be considered in the international pool because sometimes the international students lack what some domestic students have completed.
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“do t20 colleges have a quota on how many international students they can admit?”
Yes. The top 20 universities in the US get a LOT of very strong international applicants. The international students who are accepted to top 20 universities are a very impressive bunch.
My understanding of the process (which is only from watching myself and then my kids use the process) is that they compare you to students from your high school to figure out how strong a student you are. For example, in some countries getting a 90 average will put you in the top 2 or 3 students in your high school. In some other countries and/or some other high schools a 90 average might or might not put you in the top 20% of all students in the high school. When they have figured out how strong a student you are, then as an international student you are compared with other international students.
Yes, this does mean that you need to be sure that you have picked out at least two solid safeties.
Are you in the US on a temporary visa? A “Permanent Resident Visa” (aka “green card”) would put you in the pool with domestic students.
Also, are you from a country that has universities that would be very good options for you?