asian international asking for aid =/

<p>Gender: Male
Race: Chinese (Singaporean)</p>

<p>SAT1: 2270 (Reading 800, Math 750, Writing 720)
SAT2: 2400 (math2, physics and chem)
A-level subjects / grades: Physics Chem Math KI (aka TOK) + 2 H3s. 3As + 1B + Merit + Distinction in that order</p>

<p>ECs:
- RSI
- Represented country at Asian PhO (didn't win anything though :((( )
- 2 more research projects, one in QM and one in marine engineering. I got a paper published for the QM one, but it was more number-crunching than independent research..
- Champion / Champion team for.. I think four national science quizzes
- student government until grade 10
- a few random outdoorsy events - climbed Mt Kinabalu, 12-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek, scuba diving trip
- school bowling team, 2 years, no awards
- community service: a bit of teaching / tutoring, and web design for an environmental organization</p>

<p>^ A bit lopsided I guess.</p>

<p>Essays: I wrote about my conversion from Christianity to atheism, but basically from a let's-be-rational-yet-moderate pov. Do you think any of my choices are particularly sensitive wrt religion?</p>

<p>Possible Majors:
Physics
Neuroscience
CS</p>

<p>I'm not applying to any safeties yet, as I still have another year of national service, so I can apply again next year.</p>

<p>Applying to:
Princeton
Yale
Brown
Dartmouth
Amherst
Harvey Mudd
WUSTL</p>

<p>I'll be asking for finaid from all of them. Oh, and I've been rejected by Stanford EA already.</p>

<p>Do you guys think I'm aiming too high? Does anything on that list qualify as a high match?</p>

<p>bump</p>

<p>10char</p>

<p>They are all reaches for an international seeking aid.</p>

<p>Princeton - 50%
Yale - 50%
Brown - 0%
Dartmouth - 80%
Amherst - 80%
Harvey Mudd - 0%
WUSTL - 0%</p>

<p>fiona_ might have something different to say about harvey mudd though.</p>

<p>and let's face it, you made RSI, I think you'll get into at least 1 of HYPM. S probably rejected you due to financial aid.</p>

<p>Any reason you're seeking aid? I'm sure - especially with 2H3s - you have more than a decent shot at A*STAR/PSC Specialist/DSTA/IDA even (for com science). I don't know about RJ/HC, but at VJ you can probably count on two hands the number of students doing 2H3s. If it's because of the bond - yeah, okay, I understand ;)</p>

<p>In your situation though it makes more sense to apply requesting aid this year. If you get accepted, good; if you don't, you can apply again next year without requesting financial aid (how iffy are colleges about this, though?)</p>

<p>I think I just answered my own question, there.</p>

<p>I think screwy is optimistic =p, especially in light of the EA/ED bloodbath this year.</p>

<p>haha seriously? I happen to think I'm right on the money :P trust the system. there's a known number of places at top universities, and a predictable number of applicants. Let x be the number of places at top colleges, and if you're in the top X applicants, I trust the system to give you a place, even if through deferrals or waiting lists. It'll work itself out in time.</p>

<p>I don't see a EA/ED bloodbath happening across all colleges, and even if there is one, how does it affect RD?</p>

<p>I do believe the fact that he has RSI, and APhO representation and a published paper means he has great chances at need-blind HYPM Amherst and Dartmouth. The only problem is he should have applied to H and M =/</p>

<p>Great chance @ WashU & Dartmouth. I think if you put your application together smartly you're in (feel free to interpret it however you want :D)
Amherst reach.
Nothing is for sure @ Princeton and Yale.
Applying for aid diminishes your chance @ Brown to close to zero. Brown is stingy to internationals.</p>

<p>^WashU gives out that much aid to internationals?</p>

<p>i duno, but your essay might sound a tad boring ><
i heard rsi writes recommendations right? perhaps that might help?</p>