Chance me at Oberlin please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Oberlin College
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<p>Hi all.
I'm an Indian Student planning on applying ED-2 to Oberlin, as it seems the best fit for me. I've been interest in a variety of things like writing, journalism, advertising, film making, debating and soccer. I was just wondering if any of you could take the time to chance me at Oberlin. I'm also wondering if it's worth applying to Wesleyan RD. Thanks. </p>

<p>High School Grades - 72%. I lost my father to a heart attack the day before I wrote my final (Board) exams, and this really is the weakest and most worrying part of my application. I'm really worried with regard to my board grades, and whether a school such as Oberlin or Wesleyan would overlook this. I Took the hardest subjects that my school had to offer i.e Math, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science. </p>

<p>SAT - Writing - 760 CR - 740 Math - 770 Total - 2270
SAT II - U.S History - 750 Literature - 760
I'm also planning on taking the World History subject test.
National Exams - CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) All India Rank 1675 out of approximately 35,000 test takers.
2nd time CLAT - All India 402. </p>

<p>I'm also pretty confident of being able to write a strong and compelling essay. WIll get great recommendations from Principal (Counselor) and my class teacher. </p>

<p>ECs - Soccer - Over six years experience, Played at state level. Played semi professional league for State Bank of India.
Attended nation level training camp program, School team captain for two years.
MUN - Attended a few MUNs, most notable achievement being delegate of USA at the UNHRC at my school's MUN.
Been really involved in debate club at school, including attending a few parliamentary debates.
Writing - Written for school journal for two years, contributed lots of articles. I've written a series of short stories that<br>
I will be sending in as part of the art supplement. Yet to be published. </p>

<p>I've worked at the office of a reknowed artist, and helped promote his art and work on social media for just about 6 months. </p>

<p>I've also been loosely invovled in some semi-professional gaming tournaments, placing 3rd and 5th respectively on online tournaments. I have a channel on which I stream my games, and have about 500 followers. </p>

<p>Volunteeering Activities - Volunteered at my school's cultural fest for 2 years in a row. </p>

<pre><code> Worked at the local hospital for over a year.
Hosted and organized a donation camp for flood relief victims.

Taught basic English and Math to watchmen and security guards.
Taken part in lot of soccer tournaments to raise money for charity, and also spent around 2-3 months coaching younger children for free.
</code></pre>

<p>Another thing that I'm really worried about is that I enrolled at Loyola College, Chennai, ranked as the 3rd best university in India, and dropped out because I found it to be intellectually numbing. This, in part, is what led me to discover liberal arts and the freedom to choose what I want to study, and in particular, the structure at Oberlin. </p>

<p>Please be honest and let me know what you think!
Thanks. </p>

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<p>Also, If possbile, could you please recommend schools similar to Oberlin and Wesleyan that are not too much of a reach? I’ll also need financial aid. Thanks in advance :)</p>

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<p>We have similar stories! :stuck_out_tongue:
I’m also an Indian applicant with low high school grades and high SATs. I had also enrolled in an engineering college in Mumbai and dropped out for precisely the same reasons (Intellectually numbing, you bet). I got 71% in 12th, and a 2310 on my SATs, and I’m applying to small/medium liberal arts colleges that offer financial aid to international students.
One worrisome thing - when did you drop out? I’f you’ve completed one semester or given any exams or earned any credits at all, you might be considered a transfer applicant - and boom, there goes the financial aid (Almost no college, apart from HYP, gives financial aid to international transfer applicants). Most colleges are sketchy as to where they draw the freshman/transfer line - most have a ‘minimum number of credits acquired at undergraduate level’ threshold, while some consider you a transfer if you’ve simply ENROLLED in an institute of higher education, irrespective of how many credits you have.
Assuming you’re an eligible freshman, I think you have a fair shot at Oberlin. If you present your case well enough, your ECs and test scores can make up for those grades a little bit. Work on your essays - for applicants like us, essays could be make or break.
Wesleyan is low-reach. Look at Carleton College and Haverford.
And keep your hopes up, there’s a college out there that wants you! </p>

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<p>Thank fully, I never wrote any exams. Wesleyan low reach I figured too as well. I’m applying ED to oberlin. What about you? </p>

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<p>You seem like a well-rounded person with high scores and I think Oberlin would love to have you. I also think you would enjoy playing soccer there and would like the college. </p>

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<p>Thank you, could you also chance me at Wesleyan and recommend some other schools to apply too, that wouldn’t be too much of a reach? </p>

<p>I’m considering Oberlin, Tufts, Wesleyan and Reed so far. </p>

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<p>I’m applying RD, haven’t finalized my college list yet :confused:
Tufts and Reed also seem to be low reaches. Reed is also super competitive for aid-seekers. Quoting the website -</p>

<p>“The process used to determine if an international student will receive aid is very selective and is based on the strength of the candidate’s application for admission. In a typical year, 90 to 100 qualified international freshman and transfer applicants compete for 10 to 20 awards. All offers of financial assistance includes grants, work opportunities, and loans. Loans must be repaid to the college.”</p>

<p>I’d say apply, you have a shot!</p>

<p>And have you thought about safeties? I need help with em!
Do students like us even have the luxury of financial safeties?</p>

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<p>My safety is Ashoka university in Delhi. I’m really looking to go to oberlin though, which is why I’m applying ed. Have you thought about Vassar? </p>

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<p>Vassar looks like a solid option.<br>
Ashoka is fairly new, isn’t it? Seems like quite a risk! </p>

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<p>Wonder if I can get into vassar rs. :/</p>

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<p>OP, if you’re still looking for colleges similar to Oberlin, you might research Carleton and Grinnell. Yes Vassar and Haverford could also be good choices. </p>

<p>My best recommendation for you is Macalester: Mac has a very large international student population, a competitive soccer team, a super location near/in a great city, St Paul MN and I think would be an excellent fit for you. The campus culture is liberal and energetic with a focus on international studies, although they are strong in other areas as well. Classic LA with lots of study abroad and internship opportunities. Students love the school. Mac is ranked the same as Oberlin and is slightly less selective 30% vs 35%. My nephew went to Mac although he got into Bowdoin and Vassar – he made friends from all over the world, and was very happy with his choice. </p>

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<p>Thanks a bunch for the Mac recommendAtion, I’ll surely look into it however, I feel Oberlin is the perfect fit for me, and I’d love some reassurance on whether I could get in if I apply ED</p>

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<p>You sound like a strong candidate. But honestly, here’s all anyone can really say: <a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/applying/selection_process/what_are_my_cha.shtml”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/applying/selection_process/what_are_my_cha.shtml&lt;/a&gt; </p>

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<p>Well, do you guys think I have a solid shot aT Wesleyan ED? I’m trying to make up my mind and decide between wesleyan and oberlin, and which school to apply ED to. Let me m know what you guys think. :)</p>

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<p>Aid is need-aware at Wesleyan (for everybody), and is especially competitive for international students. I wouldn’t judge it by the admissions rate for the whole class.</p>

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<p>Where else do you guys suggest I consider? I’d love more opinions :)</p>

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<p>One thing you did not mention was your interest in music. If you like music, and maybe even want to perform, Oberlin is the place. It is the only major liberal arts college with a consevatory, and musical performances are a large part of campus life.</p>

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<p>Of course, I do enjoy music, and live theatre even more so. However, I’ve not developed an interest for formal trainin. One of the things I hope oberlin can change :smiley: </p>

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<p>I did not want to leave an impression that you had to train and perform. There are concerts and recitals several times a week, usually by outside performers and conservatory faculty and students. Many students attend a few times a month.</p>

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<p>I admire that about Oberlin. :slight_smile: Anyway, how do you guys see my chances at Oberlin ED-II?</p>