Can A Haitian student like me make it in the Ivies??

International Students
1

<p>So this is the story: I'm a sophomore haitian student, who wants to be an obstetrician/gynecologist and who hopes to go to either Brown or Yale (Brown being the top choice) </p>

<p>I haven't taken the SAT yet, but im planning to this May, currently my GPA is 3.0 and i'm working on improving it. My freshman year grades are really not good (cumulative GPA is 2.8) but it was a pretty rough year.</p>

<p>First there was that earthquake which i don't know if you've heard about it, but it was pretty horrible. Although it happened in the middle of my last middle school year, it still impacted my freshman year. Second, on the summer right before my freshman year, 6 armed men broke into my house and robbed us. they kidnapped my little sister and one of them raped my cousin right before my eyes (pretty traumatizing experience). My father then came back home, (my mom and him had separated) after five years of absence, Two weeks later, he's crushed in his car by a truck. You'd think life would give me a break by now, but no. Six months later, my grandmother catches a disease and dies, leaving my mom orphan and a widow...
So i was really traumatized and my grades suffered from it.</p>

<p>But now its a year later and i cant keep crying so i want to get into the college of my dreams and be a doctor and make my father proud...</p>

<p>My EC's aren't spectacular: I've danced for ten years, and my teachers now trust me enough to hand me classes to do when they're either late or absent. I've played volley-ball for school for a year and made the team (i had to leave after that, but im planning on going back this year). Starting this summer, ill be working for a gynecologist a month every summer, then i'll take either piano or drawing lessons.</p>

<p>As ridiculous as this may sound to some people, i do try hard, and school in haiti is no piece of cake. Learning in this environnement is tough... </p>

<p>But whatever, i just want your advice: Is there even a chance that my dream schools will een consider me? And if not, can you think of any idea to improve myself and get a better chance at going to Brown?? </p>

<p>Thanks a bunch :)</p>

2

<p>Its difficult to evaluate you as an applicant with so little objective data. Take the SAT and aim for 2100 and in the SAT subject tests, at least 740+ in each subject. Also what is your class rank? Is your GPA out of 4.0 scale? Where do you stand when compared with your class mates? Are your academic courses rigorous enough? </p>

<p>Your circumstances make you a very interesting candidate. However don’t make any excuses for any shortcomings on your part. Show them grit and courage; through your essays show that you are a mature individual, capable of challenging and overcoming whatever obstacles block on your way. Remember that top colleges take students of strong personality and character. Make sure you show these in your essays and make sure your teachers give you their best recommendations. </p>

<p>My condolences on your misfortunes. I hope you have recovered from them and best wishes to you!</p>

3

<p>I’m not sure when you say class rank… i don’t really know what you mean, I’m 8/th best GPA on 45 students… (horrible, i know), I’m usually in the top ten though. </p>

<p>And also, you don’t get to choose your classes here, so I’m doing practically everything, Biology, chemistry, physics, math and English, but also social studies, spanish, french, creole (haitian native language) economy, sport education (or something like that, i don’t really know how to translate it :stuck_out_tongue: ) french and haitian litterature, art history and geology. Now i don’t know how strong they are, compared to the american system, but most of the kids who had my grades and even lower in haiti are doing pretty great in the states.So i guess its not a really different program. Besides, there’s no advanced placement in my school.
And the GPA is out of 4 by the way.</p>

<p>I am willing to work hard, but i know that grades arent enough, so i was just wondering what more i could do to be a better candidate :)</p>

4

<p>Focus on your SATs. There are books and online materials so you can practice. To colleges, a high SAT is a key indicator of your academic achievement. Do try to be one of the top students in your school. If possible, develop a close relationship with a teacher or a mentor who then can write you an impressive letter of recommendation. Top schools look for words such as “the best” “inspiring” “talented” “driven” etc. Don’t worry too much about ECs. It’s expected that international students will have different (and maybe fewer) opportunities than American students. </p>

<p>When it comes time to apply and write an essay, do tell about the trauma/challenges you’ve experienced, but focus on your drive to get past it, and on how an American education will enable you to go back to Haiti and help/give back. </p>

<p>And best of luck. Here’s hoping the future is better for you than the horrific recent past.</p>

5

<p>Do your best on the SAT. Actually I´m with a tear in my eye just from reading your story, if you fought back, help your family as most as you can, you´ve done your job as a human. We all know college admission is far from certain, but they definitely should give a chance to someone who could overcome those tragedies. I´m mean, you are going to be successful, I know it, even without brown or Yale, keep bringing your life experience in order to show what life is really about, it is not some fancy college or a job at Goldman and Sachs but it is the struggle for self happiness and doing more to other that it is simply asked. I hope the very best in everything and I would advice you, I know it sounds kind of weird, but I believe God can make a change in your life. Fell free to pm if you want. Have faith and luck will be in your side from now on.</p>

6

<p>I am really moved about hearing your story. You will be a success.</p>

<p>But Why IVIES? I know they are the best school in the usa, but there are many excellent schools will give you a chance as well. You will be successul anywhere.</p>

<p>You should, of course, try Brown, however the chances to get into Brown is small. So you should cast a wider net. There is a thread on cc that someone had got in Oklahoma University BS/MD program free ride and MIT full frieght and ask for advise. Almost every CCers directed him to OU. So, You should not aim only to the ivies, but also find a school that fits your background and ability to pay. I am sure you need a full ride scholarship to go to school here, thus the suggestion.</p>

<p>Good luck to you on the SAT and Toefl tests, you will need it to open the doors.</p>

7

<p>I really don’t know why im so focused on the Ivies! But I really fell in love with Brown and i will work my a** off to get it. By the way, didn’t anyone go to Summer@Brown? I’d really like to know how it is, maybe it could be my birthday gift :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

<p>And, is it really next to impossible to get a perfect SAT score, and would that help anyway? </p>

<p>Also (excuse the 100,000 questions :stuck_out_tongue: ) could you help me find colleges with a great med program in New-York? </p>

<p>One last: If i go to pre med at one school, getting accepted to that same school for med wouldn’t be easier? is that uncommon though? And is the TOEFL really necessary? I’ve
been speaking English all my life!</p>

8

<p>You should check each school for its toefl policy that apply to your country.</p>

<p>Most likely, each ivy will accept one or two students from your country, you are competing with all the overachievers from your country and to get into Brown PLUM is so difficult that I don’t think your stats will do, to be blunt. You say you are not the top student in your class, that diminishes your chances to be admitted in ives. Even in your school you are not number 1, think about 100’s schools around the country, there might be few hundres student like you have the same idea.</p>

<p>You should know that except a FEW school in US has a BS/MD program. And you know that MD programs are mostly at the graduate level. If you do well in ANY UG colleges, you have a chance to get in med school, include some from your own country. And there might be a lot of competitors from your country who has a smilar story as yours because earth quake effected everyone.</p>

<p>There are many good schools in New York that can prepare your med school goal but I don’t know which will give a full ride to internationals. If you meant New York as New York City, I cannot even think any school right now that will give you a full ride.</p>

<p>Berea College is the mostly referred to school on CC that will provide a full ride to internationals.</p>

<p>I would suggest you not only apply to schools in the US, but also try shools in your own country and compare FA packages after you got admitted. Do not only eye on the ives as they will disappoint you often than not.</p>

9

<p>I don’t think you have a good shot at Brown’s PLME. You should definitely add more schools to your list.</p>

<p>It is very difficult for an international student to enter medical school in the US and you’ll probably need to finance the four years on your own. Read this article: [Internat’l</a> Students & Medical Education](<a href=“Home - NAAHP”>Home - NAAHP)</p>

<p>If you need financial aid, some good science schools would be Grinnell and Macalester.</p>

10

<p>I agree with those who are telling you to cast a much wider net by applying to significantly less selective schools. Brown is a long shot but there are many other good schools that could potentially provide a full- or close to full-ride. </p>

<p>Also, be aware that ‘pre-med’ is not a major at US colleges. You major in whatever subject you are most interested in, making sure to take the required ‘core’ subjects for medical school (1 year organic chem, 1 year inorganic chem, 1 year physics, 1 year biology, 1 semester of math, 1 year of English would be a typical set of requirements). About 40% of pre-med students (students who aspire to attend medical school) don’t major in a science at all - but they do complete the core requirements. </p>

<p>Medical schools look at your grades and MCAT score, so it really doesn’t matter where you do your undergraduate degree, as long as you are a top student, and you do well on your MCAT. (And there are prep courses to prepare for the MCAT as well).</p>

<p>In addition to Grinnell and Macalester, you might take a look at some of the threads in the international forum from international students looking for full-rides to see where they got in. Good luck!</p>

11

<p>try this NYC school:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pace-university/989802-pforzheimer-honors-college-pace.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pace-university/989802-pforzheimer-honors-college-pace.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>They offer full rides to the international students. I know a few Dyson College of Arts and Science graduates went to med schools. It is ranked 180 in USNWR, but still if you do well you have a chance.</p>

12

<p>Remember that you are a sophomore. If you pull your GPA to a 3.5+, it will be VERY impressive. Due to the earthquake and trauma, it is expected to not perform as well. Next year, as a junior, work your tail off and take that number 1 or 2 spot! :slight_smile: I do wish you good luck in your endeavors. And aim for a 2100+ on the SAT.</p>

13

<p>I’d just like to thank everyone for being so honest.Really, i thought getting into PLME would be easier. As for the international issue, my mom had the bright idea to give birth to me in New york, so i’m an american citizen. :slight_smile: I do also hope i can make my senior year in the states, so i can get used to the program and everything, is that a good idea though?</p>

<p>I won’t focus as hard on the ivies, it seems as if it’s next to impossible to get there if you aren’t straight A’s. And i’m not straight A’s… :frowning: </p>

<p>You guys, is it cheating if i take french on the SAT subject test? considering the fact that its my first language? </p>

<p>I’ll keep working hard though, Brown is my dream school!! And my mom offered me a week there for my birthday! summer@Brown!! I’m so happy!</p>

<p>Again, thanks for the honest feedback! :)</p>

14

<p>ticopean, I would say your main concern would be test scores. If you can boost those up (to around the median of Brown or whatnot), you have a great chance. Grades will matter to you, but since you’re international from Haiti, it will be pretty hard to gauge the rigor of your school.</p>

<p>Apply ED to Brown if its your dream school. I think you should try to go into PLME (though it’s considerably harder), and I think you have the option of accepting brown college if you get rejected from PLME (should Brown choose to accept you). </p>

<p>And its really good that you’re an American citizen because that helps you with financial aid. However, I would seriously recommend you to not move to America Senior Year. For one, you lose your major hook (International student from Haiti) and secondly your class profile/recs may not be so favorable for you.</p>

<p>BTW, if you do not go to an international school you have a much better chance also.</p>

<p>As for taking French subject, it’s really up to you. I’m always annoyed when people from China take Chinese SAT 2 or whatnot, and if you do take French, take it as an extra requirement.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

15

<p>As an international, you DO NOT need a straight A to be accepted by ivies, you do not need that in the USA either. But you have to beat everyone else in YOUR country to be admitted into the ivies, as stated before, they take one or two or three from each small country like yours, so ther are only few got admitted. For a country like China or India, they take in more, but that is limited as well. In some country, it is impossible to get A’s, their high school is so hard that the grades deflation is rampant. So the international adcoms know what is good and bad. If you know you have a good grade, it does not matter if it is 3.0 or 2.8, if you can beat everyone in your country, you will get in.</p>

<p>If you come into the USA in your sr. year, unless you are going to the American school system in YOUR Country right now, it will be too much an adjustment for you, you may do better or worse, but the Sr. grades don’t even count much in the College Application.
Its better to come here NOW, if you really want get into the US education system.</p>

<p>take SAT II French is not cheating, even if you are a French National. You can get 800, but it does not add too much to your portfolio. SAT I or ACT is what they are looking for, of course there is your GPA. </p>

<p>Please do dream Brown, but only limited it to Dreams. You should spend $70 to apply but do not expect it, when you get in, you won the lottery. It would be an expensive proposition to apply for Brown PLME, since they require on campus interview for EVERY student that apply to the program. My friend, five years ago, flew with her S all over the USA in attempt to enter a BS/MD program and failed. They probably spent $30-50,000 USD just for applying, consider all the travels and time off.</p>

16

<p>

I don’t think this is quite right. No, just because you can beat everyone in your country, it does not guarantee you a spot in a top college.</p>

<p>And I know quite a number of people who weren’t top students but still pretty good (top 20%) and got into Brown.</p>