<p>SAT Subject test scores - Maths level II - 800, Physics - 780, World History - 800</p>
<p>EC's - President of Student government, School Chess Club member, Animation Club member</p>
<p>Used to teach poor slum people through my School's Literacy Mission.</p>
<ul>
<li>Special Circumstances - Shutdown of my father's business in 2008, leading to lots of economic problems, fights and tensions in family .. which has considerably affected my academic and personal life ...</li>
</ul>
<p>But … I was checking some other college websites … and I find that my GPA won’t be that bad … because 75% and above from India is equivalent to A in USA ( As per SUNY - Buffalo, NCAA International Students admission guidelines, University of Illinois, University of Northern Iowa, Purdue University… and few more )</p>
<p>Strong SAT but I’m assuming many of those %s aren’t very strong; you have few significant ECs with not much focus. You say ‘lots of economic problems’ - are you asking for aid? If so, then you probably won’t have much of a chance.</p>
<p>By the way, saying “poor slum people” is considered offensive in the US.</p>
<p>@phantasmagoric
But my Percentage in Class XII is around 76% which is equivalent to A in USA Standards … according to NCAA International Academic standards guidelines, SUNY - Bufallo, University of Northern Iowa conversions of Indian grades to US Equivalent grades … A 75.8% is above distinction percentage even in India …</p>
<p>I don’t think Stanford is going to look at those percentages and care what some guidelines say. You got a 91% in English and yet your English has glaring errors. It looks like grade inflation to me. And what does that 54% translate to? What year are you anyway - Class X and XII??</p>
<p>Well his grades are justified by his SAT scores for English and Math.
Questions
What happened to year 11? Did you skip it?
There are some pretty low marks there. I remember reading that India is known for grade inflation, hence articles about students with 94% - 97% averages not getting into university.
Also do you need financial aid?</p>
<p>I agree that my grades are not outstanding but my SAT scores prove my potential … My family environment was such that I lost interest in studies … I completely lacked motivation and hope … These grades are a result of minimum preparation - less than one month …</p>
<p>I was in a seriously tough situation which I cannot speak about in public … but I can write it in the special circumstances essay.</p>
<p>Don’t the colleges consider special circumstances, will and potential when considering a student’s admission chances.</p>
<p>Stanford has historically de-emphasized SAT scores in favor of intangible factors like essays, which is why its average SAT is lower than its peers and why it requires more essays than them. I’d say GPA tends to be more important. Since you don’t have much in the way of ECs, and since you’re an international asking for aid, you have a very small chance of getting in, unfortunately.</p>
<p>According to [this</a> site](<a href=“http://www.internationalstudent.com/schools_awarding_aid/]this”>Schools Awarding International Financial Aid), the only LAC that’s need-blind for international students is Amherst, although Dartmouth is very much like an LAC. Williams used to be need-blind for internationals, but had to change the policy; perhaps it will change again by the time you apply, since college endowments have supposedly had about a 20% return on their investments this year.</p>
<p>Okay, by class X and class XII, do you mean your final subject scores or your school board exam scores? </p>
<p>You obviously have a strong tendency towards Math and English which look good. However, I do have to say your other scores will hurt your application. Even if above a 75% translates to an A, consider all the other applicants from India you are competing with who have 90%+ in every subject. And the fact that you probably need aid being an international is going to hurt your chances as well.</p>
<p>How important is the essay ??? I want to major in Maths … and my Maths score have always been great … What if I right a great essay and explain how much I love maths and how much I want to study at Stanford … </p>
<p>And when Maths is my favorite subject and my preferred major … so why do the college want to see my Chemistry marks anyway … I didn’t like it so I didn’t study … In India the colleges didn’t want to see my chem marks during admission selection process …</p>
<p>@Shayonsaleh - I heard that colleges look at individual profiles … they don’t compare it with other applicants … if they like the overall application they select the applicant or reject him … I will take a chance anyway … Getting selected is a dream come true … and if not then there are many LACs which give aid to international students ( They might not be need blind but they give lots of aid to internationals )</p>
<p>Just advice me on how can I improve my application so that the admission council atleast takes a look at my application. </p>
<p>And how does it matter what other Indians score … their grade will be ’ A ’ and mine will be ’ A ’ as well … just like in Indian college admission it doesn’t matter you get 95% or 85% you will get admission in college if your scores in three subjects related to the preferred course are above cut offs …</p>
<p>(I got admission at a top Delhi University college because my scores were above cut offs for BA Maths Hons. But I wanted to study in US)</p>
<p>What if I don’t apply for aid … Will that increase my admission chances … Because Stanford is near my uncle’s house so I can stay at his house and study … saving the hostel cost … and since Stanford is one of the best college in the US he won’t refuse to pay my fees too …</p>
<p>Make sure you don’t say “poor slum people” on your application or anywhere in your essay. Also, you can’t write about why you love Stanford anymore. That essay topic is gone. I say apply! Just apply regular because EA is too competitive.</p>
<p>I am taking part in a nationwide India’s Future leader search contest and I have qualified for the semifinals … what if I win it … will it give a boost to my application … </p>
<p>I have got my school principal to convert my scores according to WES … and now my grades are mostly As and few B+ … But as my school is strictly against class rankings … I can’t submit my class rank … will it be disadvantageos …</p>
<p>My Principal has converted my grades according to WES this is what my Grades are now :-</p>
<p>Class IX - A,A,A,A,B
Class X - A,A,A,A,A
Class XII - A,A,A,A,B</p>
<p>I have lost my class XI mark sheet ( During shifting my house )… and my school doesn’t keep records of transcripts … what should I do … Can I leave Class XI marks blank… </p>
<p>Plus I qualified for the semifinals of a National level competition called " India’s Future leader discovery Contest "</p>
<p>Also my school is strictly against class ranks … Will it cause any kind of disadvantage …</p>
<p>Do I have a reasonable chance at Stanford now ???</p>
