<p>oh, my bad. I had forgotten about the aid part.</p>
<p>in that case, well no safeties, but you can try a shot in BU or indiana. Both have merit scholarships which cover full tution.</p>
<p>A distant cousin of mine (an indian) got into harvard with a sat score of 2200 two years back!!! His EC’s were extremely good though… he got a good scholarship (70-80%) & he got the rest thru loan…
Does anyone else know of Indians who got good scholarships???</p>
<p>Harvard does NOT offer merit scholarships. All financial aid is need-based.</p>
<p>And what’s so surprising about getting in with a 2200? It’s a fabulous score in the 99th percentile; if that isn’t top of the line, what is?</p>
<p>I tell you, we Indians need to get over this rather unhealthy obsession that we tend to have with numbers and all other forms of statistics…</p>
<p><em>shakes head</em></p>
<p>exactly… everyone who gets into MITor ivy league , ppl think he/she got a good scholarship based on merit.
You actually get scholarship based on how poor you are (nothing to boast about in public especially 
)</p>
<p>i totally agree with @tetrisfan. what do you think about my ec’s ???please reply,and emphasize on my weaknesses(also my EFC is 500$) according to the EFC calculator
that maybe wrong…but still i want your comments</p>
<p>""Harvard does NOT offer merit scholarships. All financial aid is need-based.</p>
<p>And what’s so surprising about getting in with a 2200? It’s a fabulous score in the 99th percentile; if that isn’t top of the line, what is?</p>
<p>I tell you, we Indians need to get over this rather unhealthy obsession that we tend to have with numbers and all other forms of statistics…</p>
<p><em>shakes head</em>“”“”</p>
<p>Yes but according to what “abhimanyuk” said, indians “have” to get above 2300 & win international olympiads to get into a place like Harvard & my cousin had done none of the international stuff.</p>
<p>you misunderstand me… I speak of the average student. Superb academics OR good academics and an extracurricular pull.</p>
<p>When did your cousin apply? the situation has changed in the past 2 years. Also, did he do something in some field that was exemplary? And again, if he received finaid, that was during a booming economy. I again repeat, times are slightly different now.</p>
<p>No one needs to get above 2300 and win international olympiads; statistics definitely tell a different story.</p>
<p>I can’t deny, however, that one of both of those (or any other ‘hook’) would definitely boost your application. But everything is evaluated holistically - one above-average Saturday won’t make or break your application (unless it was a really bad Saturday :p). </p>
<p>The basic ingredients of the recipe of success are - good SAT scores (2100 is my definition of ‘good’, although others probably refute by saying that a 2200 better fits that definition), great school grades (with 90+ in your boards), heavy extracurricular involvement (taking initiative is the key here) and insightful letters of recommendation. If you manage to concoct the right blend of all those items, you’re all set :)</p>
<p>if so,what are my chances tetrisfan?</p>
<p>@tetris: have u read abhimanyu’s enlightening post?</p>
<p>Ummm…
If anyone has not told you yet, try applying in Athletic quota. (Your record prompt me to suggest you so!)
That may increase your chances at many good universities. (Not just MIT)</p>
<p>athletic quota has had very few recruits from india… i know one but again he was national level swimmers, etc.
universities like MIT have one of the best varsity sports teams,so low probability of success there with athletic.</p>
<p>And where there is good chance, you would get in on your academic merit itself</p>
<p>I just read the ‘enlightening’ post. Very, very interesting, I must say ;). I think that I’ve already said what deserves to be said, so I’m not going to try embroil myself in a brawl of half-truths and unfounded assumptions.</p>
<p>Now, about the athletic ‘quota’. Varsity coaches really don’t care what country you’re from, especially in need-blind schools. And MIT has one of the best varsity sports teams? Puh-leez. Ever heard of the difference between Division I and Division III sports? If not, I highly recommend that you Google the American collegiate sports hierarchy.</p>
<p>rt_08: Jeez, your resume looks so, so general. If I myself find it so vague, imagine how admissions officers will view it! For example…what’s the regional science fair? Was it at the level of your neighbourhood, your city, your state, or what? What is the ‘quanta competition’? Are you getting the hang of what I’m saying? (I sure hope you are…) </p>
<p>@spidey: Hey, nice job on the 2300. Check you FB inbox? I’ve sent you a couple of math questions I have :)</p>
<p>Yea, I hope it isn’t urgent though! I just returned from faxing my fin aid forms, and im left with my essay and music recommendation and resume for 1st nov! I’ll reply asap :)</p>
<p>Not super-pressingly urgent, could you solve them by next Friday?</p>
<p>Eeks, that’s October 31st. Bad timing. Don’t let them get in the way of your apps though, it’s no issue if you don’t have time :).</p>
<p>well
regional science fair involves 20 states(so thats the higher stage)
quanta is the national competition on physics and mathematics along with quantum physics and astrobiology
Micfest is the national debating contest
Litfest is the anachronism contest
WPF(i have not mentioned) is the geography olympiad(i came second nationally…)
so i don’t think i am that bad.
what do you think?</p>
<p>plz reply dude.</p>
<p>you’re from india, right? How come it’s national but I haven’t heard of it? Is it a private kind of thing?</p>
<p>hey tetris, i am submitting a photography portfolio! like, finally! and if spidey sir is busy, i could take a look at ur math problems! (if spidey sir would give me permission that is 
) </p>
<p>@rt_08: look man, i’ve never heard of these comps, so i am sure the adcoms haven’t. private things don’t count for much, ok?</p>
<p>IMO, It would be quite less competition (as compared to international pool) if you apply in Athletic Quota. (MIT do have wonderful Athletic team, but Yale is superb in it as well. There are ‘‘other’’ wonderful universities besides MIT!)…</p>