Chance me? (+ int'l merit scholarship question)

<p>Hey guys,
can anyone tell me how good my chances are of getting into CMU?</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>GPA: ~4.5 (~3.9 unweighted)
Rank: I believe my high school doesn't rank, but I'm definitely in the top 10 out of 150 or so.
APs: Physics (5), MacroEcon (5), MicroEcon (4) (all in junior year). Taking Psych, Stats, Calc BC and Computer Science this year.</p>

<p>SAT: 2030 (760M, 630CR, 640W). Retook it in October, expecting a ~2200 or more. (If it's still not satisfying, I'll be retaking it in December)
SAT II: 760 Physics, 690 Maths (Retaking Maths in November, hoping for a 750+)</p>

<p>ECs:
President of Tech Club
Treasurer of Prom Commitee
Guitar (it's a hobby I'm very serious about, and is the main topic of my essay)
Student Council
EFFECT Club</p>

<p>About Me: I've only been in an american school since 11th grade. I used to be in a small french school before, hence the lack of APs and ECs. I might write that down somewhere in my application.</p>

<p>Citizenship: Dual French/Syrian, living in Saudi Arabia.</p>

<p>Which brings me to my other question: If I do get accepted, how much merit scholarship can I expect to get? It says on their website that CMU does not give need-based aid to int'l, and I really need financial aid.</p>

<p>PS: As for my major, I am still torn between Computer Science, Economics and/or Psychology.
Thanks!</p>

<p>Some additional info I forgot to add:</p>

<p>Grades: Straight A’s, except for a B first semester of AP Physics. Slightly struggling with AP Psych right now, but will most likely get an A by the end of the semester.
In my French school, class averages were out of 20. I always had the highest or next-to-highest average in most my classes (Languages, Maths, Sciences (Phys/Chem/Bio), Music, History), specially in 10th grade. (my transcript shows my grade, the highest and lowest grades of the class, and the average)</p>

<p>ECs: (Guitar) I performed in a bunch of Talent Shows and fundraisers for Pakistan/Haiti natural disasters.</p>

<p>You have an okay shot at SCS since you have a severe lack of technical electives and will be competing with MIT-caliber applicants for the spots. You have a much better chance at Econ or Psych, because those are both in the Humanities college. Your application looks like a good Humanities fit.</p>

<p>At CMU, you apply to the colleges themselves directly, not the school as a whole.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, you will not be able to get any financial aid whatsoever. CMU does not offer “merit aid” any more – they have converted it to an undisclosed scholarship amount often given to middle-class US students.</p>

<p>Are you sure about the merit aid? There is this following question in the CMU Common App supplement:</p>

<p>“Carnegie Mellon does not provide need-based financial assistance to international students. As an international student would you require a merit scholarship?”</p>

<p>I find it odd that they would ask that question if they don’t plan on giving anything away.</p>

<p>No, it is sucessful advertising, nothing odd…
By the way, why Psych if you’re struggling…</p>

<p>I’m not struggling with the material. it’s the fact that my teacher is a yoga teacher with absolutely no experience in teaching an AP class. She’s trying, but failing miserably. </p>

<p>And I guess I’ll take CMU out of my colleges list if there’s no hope for aid at all…Thanks for the help! :(</p>

<p>@Sami - most colleges either give no aid or are not need-blind for internationals… so maybe you want to look outside the US?</p>

<p>Indeed, most of my (financial) safeties are canadian colleges. I am mainly looking at McGill (top choice), Queen’s, Toronto and UBC. Which is why I only intend to apply to need-blind/aware colleges in the US.</p>

<p>^Of which there are none xD</p>

<p>There is 0% chance of any financial or merit assistance at CMU as an international regardless of whether you even walk on water.</p>

<p>I suppose not %0-- clearly if you family donates a building I’m sure they would work something out for you…my family did not donate a building.
Sorry – that is reality. McGill is an excellent school-- three of my HS friends went there-- one turned down Columbia and another turned down Brown. They pay close to nothing to attend. Freezing weather though! </p>

<p>I think caltech (not sure, but kinda remember something about $$ for intls there) might fund internationals.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

<p>@CMUGUY if your family donates a bulding… why would you need financial aid… haha xD</p>