I’m an international student from India and would like to know that what US colleges are likely to accept me. I’m currently in my senior year and have already applied to most of the colleges. Following are the highlights that I remember mentioning somewhere in my applications:
Sold a mobile application to an MNC (you know the company name, won't mention, trying to stay low profile)
Microsoft Student Partner (earlier; not currently)
Writes in the countries top tech magazineS since 3 years (print magazine)
Taekwondo Red-Black Belt Holder (have state level gold)
Have broken into some top websites in India (yes, like a vigilante hacker, but always with good intentions)
Founder of a startup that helps poor students (and eventually helped the city)
Felicitated as State Child Scientist by Indian Government
Invests in stock market (and currently have positive portfolio)
Have a published research paper with a genuine publisher
Created my own theory for Hoverboard but couldn't complete due to some issues (not with theory; I also had a scientist with me on it).
Completed CS50, another MIT course, and a few more online courses.
Have been hooked to MIT OCW since grade 8
Freelance web developer
I’ve not mentioned things like city, state, school level competition in the above highlights. Teachers love me. The three recommendations are around 9/10, 10/10, 9.5/10.
Financial aid required.
SAT: 1360/1600 (superscored / 2 attempts)
TOEFL: 96/120 (single attempt)
I’ve mentioned in my applications that scores do not matter to me and I do not care about them because I will NOT get a job ever (not in this exact rude-type-of-language, but politely with the same essence ).
Let me know what do you think where I would end up.
Grades? You can ask us not to judge by numbers, but most colleges will do that, esp becasue you are an international.
You said you submitted to MIT. Where else have you submitted? If you want to know what colleges you should apply to, post in the search and selection forum.
While I won’t judge you by numbers, highly selective colleges often require or expect a minimum TOEFL score of 100. This could be an inflexible barrier for you at most or all of your mentioned schools. Let us know though. Good luck.
It’s one thing to say not to judge you by your numbers, but unfortunately, most schools will do just that, albeit with other considerations. I’ll try to adhere as close to what I think they do as possible.
Your ECs are obviously very strong. You’ve got good breadth, and relevant things for computer science. These are definitely the strongest part of your application.
Your scores and raw grades, however, are well below what all of these schools want. an average SAT domestically for all of these places is around a 1530+, which you’re well below, as an international admit. On grades, whether or not your teachers expect it, these schools are looking for perfection, so I can’t really give you an accurate chance without knowing a GPA.
Finally, on the “you” part of the application. You can’t just say" Oh don’t look at my grades or test scores" to a college, especially not these colleges. That definitely will not fly with admissions and might disqualify you automatically. You’re a indian guy doing computer science, which is also a big negative. You’re an international admit, where most of the schools you’re applying to have sub-5% international admit rates. Your TOEFL also won’t help you - as said above, these schools want a minimum of 100, which also may disqualify you immediately. Maybe having shown interest in MIT could give you a little boost, but even with that it’s ridiculously competitive, under a 3% international admit rate.
So, I’'ll guess that maybe you get into NYU or some of the lower UCs. Despite your desire not to be judged on them, colleges will definitely judge you by numbers, no matter how much you ask them not to. If your GPA is great, maybe you’ve got a better chance. But your standardized scores will hurt you, maybe more than your ECs can help you, especially at a lot of these ridiculously competitive international admits. Best of luck regardless.
@Plumbus Okay, so right now, all I can hope is that colleges don’t reject me just by seeing my numbers. I understand that other kids too would have ECs like mine.
Anyway, right now with those marks, what colleges are likely to accept me? By colleges I mean, any college that you can think of. Not necessarily from my list.
@hoshjoshe Places I’d guess that are a better fit for you, if you want CS, might be places like UIUC, Georgia Tech, maybe UT-Austin, or Michigan and USC as a little more of a reach. I’m not sure what international admits look like at these schools, but the Michigan regular decision is still open (I think), and it has great CS. I’d encourage you to apply, although I’m not sure you would get in. Definitely a better shot than MIT/HYP, though.
@hoshjoshe : Well, I’m assuming you want us to be honest here. Rigorous colleges will want you to be a student first, and, though you are a strong one, I think you will not make it through admissions at most of your mentioned schools based on some gaps in your academic preparation (which may be language related and no fault of your own). Feel free to surprise us with positive results, however.
@merc81 I guess the academic gap seems to be there because of my low SAT scores, however, do you think that this perception would change if I’m an outstanding student at my school and (assuming that) the recommendation letters mentioned this?
One of my recommenders told me that he has written with an essence of “he should not be judged on the basis of marks.” I guess, this should help a bit?
Don’t count on it. The acceptance rates at the schools you’ve applied to are already low, and there are plenty of other Indian students wanting to go into computer science who have applied with perfect grades and test scores. I wouldn’t be horribly surprised if you didn’t get in to anywhere you’ve applied, excepting maybe some of the less-selective UCs.
Unfortunately, you are not going to hear what you want to hear. I will be blunt: You are quite unlikely to get into any of those schools. Your teacher saying you should not be judged on your marks is not going to help. You didn’t say what your safety school is. Today is possibly the LAST day to apply to most schools, except those with rolling admissions. I wish you luck, but I hope you have a back up plan.
These elements (#14) become more important with schools at which you may be a borderline candidate by statistical factors but still generally within the range of their typical standards. However, for out-of-reach schools, they would be unlikely to be considered.
This source will give you an idea of just how selective some U.S. colleges can be by numerical attributes:
I’d tag you when my decisions arrive.