Chances for top unis. (international applicant)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm aware that most of the unis. I want to apply to are extremely competitive. Nevertheless, what would my chances be? </p>

<p>GPA: Not used, I'm an A-Levels student. In my IGCSE I got 5 A* and 2 A, and the AS Level scores I've received are also straight A's (4 subjects taken so far, A* aren't available at AS Level, only after completion of A2 which I will be giving this November). </p>

<p>SAT: 2260 (790 math, 730 reading, 740 writing - 11/12 essay)
SAT II's : Math Level II - 800, Taking Physics this October (haven't done physics since the 10th grade but I'm pretty strong in it, should get 720+)</p>

<p>TOEFL : 119/120</p>

<p>Rank : Overall first in my class every year in high school. About 100-110 total class size. </p>

<p>Courseload: Pretty hard, A levels requirement is 3 subjects, I have taken 5 (Math, Acc, Business, Economics, English)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-Model United Nations: Huge personal interest for me ever since I discovered it in my Sophomore year. Have participated in school MUN's and been invited to be a part of organizing and admin teams as well (e.g. Crisis Committee). Also took part in the Harvard Model United Nations (India).
-Learned music for many many years, however I only do it because I love it and hence my personal interest, and so have no awards, etc. I could mention.
-Spelling Bee : Won at district, state, and national level. Made it to the International level but unfortunately could not attend due to date conflicts with my IGCSE board examinations.
Student Govt. : Student-Elected Head boy, twice. Stood every year I could (9th and 11th, Elected Head Boy both times. We are not allowed to stand in the 10th and 12th grade since our tenures would effectively be cut short by our board examinations)
-Active part of the Economics Club, lots of leadership roles in all its activities.
-Volunteer work. Many hours, 3 years of high school, teaching local deprived students at Municipal Schools. </p>

<p>Essays: I've started and I think they're pretty solid. I consider myself a pretty good writer and my writing generally tends to have a bit of humor mixed in with otherwise somewhat conversational seriousness. </p>

<p>Recs: From my A Levels English teacher who is also the A Levels co-ordinator and who I am close with. Also from my Economics Teacher (has taught me on & off since the 8th grade, knows me very well). Should be very good. </p>

<p>Summer/Work Experience:
-Worked for 2 years part time during school, and much more actively during the breaks assisting in marketing and product development for a local business. (Business was into food and beverages). Really good experience.
-Something I really focus on : Started a Business Venture with a friend in my Junior year. Small investments, but the business has been moderately successful (related to the share market, by moderately successful I mean we have consistently beat the Market Index, but again very small investments). While we may not be turning in thousands of dollars a year, I focus on this in my essays/apps because it has been a huge learning experience for me and really developed my love and passion for business and economics, and how to take risks (esp. when it's your own money).</p>

<p>Other :
- I was double promoted a year in school, after my teachers had a discussion with my parents that they felt I was too smart for my grade. I will hence be 17 when I start attending Uni. Fall next year. </p>

<p>Country : India
Gender : Male
Financial-Aid? Yes.
Income Bracket : Quite Low.
Intended Major : Economics/Finance (depending on uni. May even double major where possible)</p>

<p>Chance me for :
U Chicago EA
Wharton ED
Yale
Columbia
Harvard
NYU (Stern)</p>

<p>Any feedback would be really appreciated!</p>

2

<p>I will take your GPA as a 4.0.</p>

<p>U Chicago EA: Reach
UPenn Wharton: Reach
Yale: Reach
Columbia: Reach
Harvard: Reach
NYU Stern: Match (poor Financial aid)</p>

3

<p>Thanks a lot! How generous is U Penn Wharton’s financial aid for international students? From what I understand, getting into wharton with financial aid further substantially reduces one’s chances due to how limited their financial aid for internationals is.</p>

4

<p>about Wharton: match…</p>

<p>the only weakness I see is your income… as you know Penn is need based for internationals (except Canada and Mexico).</p>

<p>Each year there are about 300 - 325 internationals heading to the campus and only about 45 of them are Fin Aid receivers…</p>

<p>dl the pdf here and read it:
[International</a> Prospective and Undergraduate Students](<a href=“Submit My Documents | Penn Student Registration & Financial Services| Penn Srfs”>Submit My Documents | Penn Student Registration & Financial Services| Penn Srfs)</p>

<p>I think you have a better chance at need blind schools. And If your first choice is not Business and it’s Econ, I recommend you other ivies for early admission…</p>

<p>BUT, IF your first choice is Wharton, applying ED may be your best opportunity for getting in…</p>

5

<p>Yes, Wharton (along with U Chicago) is basically my first choice. And I understand the financial aid issue, but there aren’t a lot of need-blind universities for international students leave for the likes of Harvard and Yale (as you’ll see I also definitely plan to apply to these schools). However from what I understand, admissions even at these unis. (HY,etc.) is basically a crapshoot. Would you say I have a good shot at one of these?
And also would it be advisable for me to stick to my plan of U Chicago EA and Wharton ED?</p>

6

<p>You definitely have a good shot at all those schools :slight_smile: But don’t apply ED to Wharton unless you’re 100% sure that’s the school for you!</p>

7

<p>Thanks, Good to know! Yes I am still going to think it over further, but at this point I do feel U Chicago and Wharton are my 2 top choices.</p>

8

<p>visit the ivies websites… if you wanna study double major; some of them have better opportunities…</p>

<p>penn (wharton, M&T) is my choice for ED too. Still consider other need blinds: Cornel has good Econ too.</p>

<p>Again. You have wonderful resume and have a good chance for getting in. good luck…</p>

9

<p>Yes I have researched quite a bit and understand how difficult it is to get into these universities, especially since I’m going to be applying for financial aid.
Considering that, how much of a shot do I have, and what universities should I consider as somewhat safeties (for econ/finance/business)?</p>

<p>Anymore other opinions/advice would also be really appreciated!</p>

10

<p>bump10char</p>

11

<p>Anyone else has any opinion/advice?</p>

<p>any help would be appreciated guys</p>

12

<p>Your odds are about as good as any unhooked applicant who won’t be cut right away - that is about one in 10 to 1 in 15 (90-95% rejection - remember that the admit rate is higher for legacies, staff kids, and athletes therefore for unhooked applicants the odds are even lower than the officially published %). Your profile looks like what they want but so will the profile of MANY applicants. If you’re international and need a lot of financial aid, your odds are probably even lower than that. We can’t say anything else.
No matter what you do, apply to schools with a 30-40% admission rate (remembering that some schools have a lot of self-selected applicants so a 50% admit rate from a highly qualified, self selected pool, is not the same as a 50% admit rate from a school where the median ACT is 23…), this way you’ll have choices come decision time.</p>

13

<p>Thanks for the reply MYOS.
So what universities should I be applying to as safeties then, for majoring in Econ/Finance/Business?
Would I stand better chances at maybe a university like Amherst (which is excellent and also afaik Need Blind to internationals)?</p>