<p>elmy said it all. I don't like the idea of studying science in an LAC.</p>
<p>Do you think I should apply to other universities too? Application fees are expensive, so I'm not too sure about applying to universities which will most probably reject me anyway (because I ticked financial aid).</p>
<p>elmy said, "I know someone who got UPenn on condition that the financial aid application be withdrawn."
So if the admission officers think I'm good enough to be admitted but not good enough to receive financial aid, they'd still accept me on the above condition?</p>
<p>It's a personal choice, I hope I did not talk you out of it.</p>
<p>For cases like Stanford, getting admitted with aid is a rarity for internationals.</p>
<p>It's not about you not good enough for aid, it's just that they do not have enough funds to go around. Cornell on the other hand is like a lottery or lucky draw or whatever you want to call it. 15 full rides for internationals, variable sum of aid for the rest. Which means the aid ranges from 99% to 0%. They will still offer you a place if you fit into their shopping list but you're on your own if no aid is given.</p>
<p>Others have a sympathetic approach, like Stanford, if they can't foot your bill, they simply won't let you in no matter how good you are. I think it's the same for Chicago too. </p>
<p>It sucks, we know that. Have you thought of Singapore or Hong Kong? Some universities in HK have special scholarships for overseas chinese(I assume that you're one).</p>
<p>You could consider the 6 need-blind schools:- HYP MIT Middlebury Williams, though need-blind doesn't necessarily mean generous. Middlebury seems to give out a lot of financial aid in the form of loans. I'm not sure though, you should probably confirm this with someone who applied.</p>
<p>Many internationals have your kind of academic qualifications (although they are no doubt stellar in the Malaysian sense - 5A's STPM is really terra), so what you could do is try to get really good recommendation letters by asking teachers who really know you and can write well about you. (not the kind of xyz is a good student, he is polite, intelligent, hardworking - it's generic and doesn't say anything about the applicant).</p>
<p>elmy - oh yes. in fact, NUS is one of my top choices =D</p>
<p>shftan - I asked my chemistry teacher (my science fair project teacher) for a recommendation and she told me to write it myself and she'll certify it :/ That's the problem with Malaysian teachers, they're not used to writing recommendations.</p>
<p>I think you shouldn't have as much problems getting into the more stats-oriented unis, Grain. Since you already know what you want to do, you probably wouldn't benefit much from the varied liberal arts curriculum of American unis.</p>
<p>BooNBoX:
I was sitting in front on the left (third row, I think)...next to the White guy in blue T-shirt who only sat for math and then left. I was in an orange T-shirt and jeans. I took Literature, Math Level 2, and World History in that order.</p>
<p>World History is tough if you don't prepare policy. It literally tests you on everything about world history since the dawn of time to the present, so you need to be prepared. I'm quite worried about the results; if I can get 750, I will be quite happy. I'm sure you can score 800 if you are well-prepared, though. I made the mistake of using Kaplan; apparently consensus on CC is that Kaplan sucks for World History. :(</p>
<p>One caveat is that you can only take World History in June and December, so you won't be able to sit for it till December.</p>
<p>... sigh, June and December only? Guess I'll just take 2 science subjects then. But I heard ivies prefer 1 math + 1 science + 1 humanities? Is this true?</p>
<p>It does make you look more well-rounded...I did 2 humanities + 1 math, but I'm thinking about taking Bio in September/October. I will probably take it if my World History score is crappy, since universities say they will only consider your top three (or in some cases, two) scores.</p>
<p>Obviously as I'm not an admissions officer I can't answer your question specifically, but I think it might give one a minuscule edge to be more "well-rounded" -- especially as Asian students are stereotypically not humanities students, so a good humanities score might have some impact.</p>
<p>hmm really? then I think i should take a humanities subject too :/
I took SAT II physics, Maths II, and chem last just before my SPM.. didnt knew about the humanities thingy :/ Maybe I'll take English Lit then :S
Anyone taken APs this year? I took both Phys C, Calc BC and Chem.. but since those grades are kinda redundant with my Alvls, I'm thinking of doing double Econs, Phys B and Stats next year.. and maybe bio..</p>
<p>since the universities to plan to apply to are needblind for internationals .. you're financial situation/legal status has absolutely no bearing on your acceptance .. unless their websites are lying to everybody .. which i don't think they would</p>
<p>you're stats seem pretty great .. but you are going to have very strong recs and a stellar essay because admission to those school are crazy competitive for anybody .. </p>
<p>and there really isn't much to say beyond that .. as long as you have a list of safeties you shouldn't worry too much</p>
<p>well, yeah this is what i claimed always, Malaysians are smart~
Considering your financial circumstances, you are more bound to apply to need-blind schools, HYMP fiy. But, the reason of admitting a student into the ivies or the other top schools remains a myth thru out...the AO's a special ppl.
For ex. The girl that got admitted to Harvard this year, with full financial aid, does not has better results than Grain has, she took 3 subject in Alvls(which is deem not so rigorous as oppose of taking 4), and appeared to be quite well off. well, she gets in due to her outgoing personality and doing very well during the interview...((your test score should be quite competitive))
The another one that went into Princeton is an all-rounder,straight As all the way,2350 for SAT1,School captain etc etc well, she got waitlisted for harvard,guess what,Cambridge rejected her in first instance...
So the myth remains, what AO is looking for is very difficult to determined. I remember reading an article in newspaper, they want diversified talents,not that everyone with 2400 will be admitted, the criteria is simple,they want healthy diet,there is no use consuming Only vitamins and not other food,get the analogy~
anyway,you've done much to build a brighter future for yourself, good luck and all the best, make M'sian proud.
sorry for mumbling such long passage..wuahahhaaha</p>