Hi! I am an international student from Japan. Currently, I am a senior. Unfortunately, I have only one counselor for studying in U.S. and really want to get people in U.S.'s feedback about my chances. I am highly interested in liberal arts colleges with very, very, rigorous academics. I definitely want to get Ph.D. degree in the future and love “Life of Mind” kind of life surrounded by weird and intellectual people. I intend to major in music, but I still have loads of interests in linguistics, comparative literature, and creative writing. Here’s my stats:
GPA:4.7/5.0(3 is the average so it can be calculated as 3.8uw) There’s no weighted GPA. My school is one of the most selective/rigorous ones in the country.
TOEFL: 115
SAT: My first one would be in October and currently my Khan practices say I can get around 1500. But I am not so sure so just think of my score as 1480 or something.
Subject tests: math2/chinese: I’ve never taken this yet too but I think I can possibly get full scores in both of them.
Rank: My school doesn’t rank.
Extracurriculars(I don’t have much but I’m just gonna list)
1.Played Japanese chess for six years and belonged to the school team. Alongside with the team, I won the State League and participated in a lot of games.
2.Played piano for fourteen years. Have played Beethoven’s pathetique, moonlight and several etudes.
3.Revised/Translated some of the booklets of a well-known theater group for five years. I devoted a lot of time and energy.
4.Became the editor of school’s magazine and I myself wrote a very, very lengthy essay about literature and music.
5.Studied Chinese for more than ten years. Actually, it is my second language(Yes, English is my third language)
6.Became the only one to take the elective course about music in my high school year(I am not sure I can count it as my extracurricular because it is nominally my school’s program)
Other backgrounds
Unlike to other international applicants from Japan, I have no experience in studying in US/UK or international schools. Perhaps this can become a plus.
Currently, I love Reed(I am thinking of using ED), Swarthmore, Pomona, Middlebury, Oberlin, Vassar, and Lawrence. I hope you can suggest me other less selective but academically reputed colleges. I am also considering going to 2yr colleges and get transferred to other colleges.
What’s your budget? It’s always a prime consideration for international applicants.
You have a good shot at Reed ED.
I’d consider ED2 to Carleton actually.
Perhaps make an exception for UChicago? ADD Bryn Mawr, perhaps Barnard, and since you like Oberlin, Smith?
If your parents have a 50k/year budget, William and Mary?
Earlham would be a good academic safety as would Wooster - those tend to attract students who intend to attend grad schools.
St John’s in Maryland (look at the curriculum, it’s all mandatory so no majors and no flexibility but only really dedicated scholars apply).
Perhaps St Olaf, if admitted apply to The Great Conversation (easier to get into than Carleton but still very strong students.)
Show interest at all (“join the mailing list” form).
Thank you for your reply. Budget is not a big issue for me right now. There are plenty of scholarships available in Japan(institution affiliated) so I can probably get into one of them and get $50000-60000. Even if I cannot, my family can support me as long as those are my matches/safeties(I love every single of them very, very much and my family knows this) I am the only child in my family and my family can support me without sacrificing their quality of life. However, regarding safeties, I do believe the presence of merit aid for foreigners is really important. Otherwise I will go to Japanese colleges and get transferred to colleges in U.S. I’ve looked up St.Olaf and the school seemed fairly good for me. Nevertheless, the school can give me no more than 25000 and it is not huge, especially compared to that of Beloit. I know some Japanese fellows went to DePauw or Wooster because of the aid but my perception towards those schools’ kids was not good. I liked UChicago pretty much but it would be an extremely high reach. Also, I belong to the group of student who is the craziest(if not, I would just go to UTokyo or other Japanese unis) and very liberal. Also, I am a male and sadly, I cannot get into Smith or Bryn Mawr even though I like both. In addition, I am a kind of kid who loves to play really hard and study insanely. I thought Carleton is where those sane kid gathers and omitted from my list(Actually, the guy with 4.0 in my school went there this year). I want the school with Reed/Swarthmore/Uchicago atmosphere and some fun and counterculture-ish mood. I showed interests in every single college you mentioned. Thank you!!!
How about thinking of Hampshire College