Chances at MIT/Princeton/Cornell with Low SAT 1, but (probably) good ECs and GPA?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello there, I am an international student (senior) trying for admission to the following school in order of preference (Fall 2010):</p>

<li>MIT (much more than the rest)</li>
<li>Princeton</li>
<li>Cornell</li>
<li>UT Texas</li>
</ol>

<p>I don’t really have good SAT 1 scores, but I have (or maybe I think I have) good ECs and GPA.</p>

<p>Here is my profile :
SAT 1 : 2000 (690 math, 630 Critical Reading, 680 Writing, 6 Essay)
SAT 2 : Math 2 - 760
Physics - 760
Chemistry - 760</p>

<p>I plan to retake the SAT 1 and also take the TOEFL.</p>

<p>GPA : 4.0 out of 4.0
APs : Technically none. They don’t have AP exams at my school. However what the subjects I have chosen are definitely more challenging if not equal to the APs (with the exception of English). Many topics we study are infact not even in the syllabi for APs. Here they are with my Marks (above 90 is equivalent to an A+):</p>

<p>English : 94/100
Mathematics : 100/100 (Includes Calculus B)
Physics : 97/100
Chemistry : 96/100
Computer Science : 100/100
Social Sciences : 96/100 (Grades 9 and 10 only - Includes World History, Geography, Economics, Political Science, Disaster Management)
Foreign Language : 80/100 (Grades 9 and 10 only)</p>

<p>ECs:
Mainly into performing arts (debates, group discussions, speeches) and quizzing.
Important Achievements:</p>

<li><p>1st position in the International Students Science Fair for my presentation on the future of computing and my paper for the same among 22 countries. Note : I was 14 at that time when the maximum age of participation was 21 - most participants were college students).</p></li>
<li><p>1st Position at Odyssey International English fest in the English Quiz among 7 participating countries. I was 14 when the maximum age of participation as 18.</p></li>
<li><p>Consolation Prize (aka 4th position) at Macfair International Computer Quiz. Note : Macfair is basically a math and computers event where a host of competitions take place with participants from many countries - don’t remember how many. I was 13 at the time of participation when the maximum age of participation was 18.</p></li>
<li><p>Won the 2nd position at the National Environment Quiz conducted by the Govt. of India at the national Level.</p></li>
<li><p>Have many city level essay + writing + debate prizes.</p></li>
<li><p>A huge pile of merit certificates at the City level.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>School Positions Held: 1. Editor of the School magazine
2. President of the School’s Science body
3. President of the School’s computer body.</p>

<p>I have a great interest in computer science (my intended major) and my teachers have written perhaps the most sparkling ‘emotionally-charged’ (sorry, I just liked the expression!) letters for me. I have a number of other projects I have built at schools - Beowulf Clusters, Demonstrating the school’s network vulnerabilities, helping design my school’s website etc - and my guidance counsellor + teachers have described my interest (or aptitude as they would say) very well or atleast other people whom I showed the letter of recommendation say so.</p>

<p>So do I have a chance at the above mentioned schools? I understand that they each have different criteria for evaluation but any advice would be helpful.</p>

<p>Also, should I consider CalTech? My SAT scores do not really weigh up to their middle 50%. Any other recommendations or any tips? Also please note that I will require Financial Aid.</p>

<p>Thanks for any help in advance. I know this is an awfully long post. But thank you for reading the whole of it.</p>

2

<p>Without a major raise in scores, those schools are unrealistic unless you’re from a small African Asian or other country in demand at these schools.</p>

<p>Much will depend on where you’re from and how many applicants they see from your country plus how much aid you need. Texas, for example, probably has little aid for internationals and Cornell doesn’t have much either. </p>

<p>An international needing much aid needs to be a very top student with very top scores. If you’re serious about American schools you need to include some much less competitive ones.</p>

3

<p>@hmom5 : So basically I should aim for around 2300 on the next time I try for SAT? Weren’t MIT and Princeton need blind for financial aid? I have many, well, financial constraints - and I wan’t able to take any SAT prep for the same. So will this be taken into consideration? And do I have a chance at UT Austin? I understand that there is no financial aid for intl students at Austin.</p>

4

<p>Waittt wait. The good news is: YOU DON’T NEED THE SAT1 for MIT. You can send in the Toefl and 3 SATII subject tests! Still, the MathII is weak. Try retaking for a straight 800.</p>

<ol>
<li>Princeton- You can get in if you have 2150+</li>
<li>Cornell- try getting 2100</li>
<li>UT Texas- it’s difficult for internationals.</li>
</ol>

<p>So basically, you’re SATs are your problem. Dont get me wrong, those are great scores! It’s just that top 30 schools tend to look for the top 95th+ percentile. If you can retake the SATs and get a 2150+, you’re good to go. JUST REMEMBER NOT TO SEND SATs to MIT because then you’d need 2300+ with a math score of above 780.</p>