Chances of Admission?

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hey! I'm a student from India and I'm applying to Cornell, MIT, Dartmouth and UChicago for 2014 RD for Computer Science. Well, I know my chances are very slim, almost laughable, but I'd Like to know if I've got any chance at all or if I should just consider not applying at all. Here's my profile:</p>

<p>9th: 80%
10th: 90%
(Both ICSE. Rigorous curriculum.)
11th: A horrible 65% Because I got into too much ECs. (Pre-university college, actually. Which is also rigorous.)
12th: 85% in preparatory. Finals aren't over yet. But will get 90%+ in finals. Know for sure. Also, both 10th and 12th finals are national- and state-leaving exams. If this holds any significance.</p>

<p>SAT I: 1960(Cr - 570, math - 720, writing - 670) But I'm taking it again with better practice. I'm getting 2100-2200 on practice tests.
SAT II: 1580. Phy - 800, Math L2 - 780.</p>

<p>Essays: Sterling. They're up to the Ivy's essays mark. I've been able to really express my passion and commitment for computers. </p>

<p>LORs: These will definitely be superb. I was both the teachers favs and they've known me better than any other student and consider me best in their careers. Everything will be "outstanding" or "best seen in career."</p>

<p>EC:
Been playing guitar for 6 years. Lots of inter school contests and music class concerts.
"Computer Wizard" award at school. (Given for best student in CS in school.)
Built an Arduino and android phone controlled quadrotor.
Have work experience (kinda.) I built the android app(which is the most crucial part of the software service) for my dad's startup. And its about to be a huge success. Also, cofounder.
Have other such apps and projects.
Google Code-In 2012 winner.
Contributed to open source(BRL-CAD) both through GCI and without. Also, got a special mention in their newsletter. My work made the new release of the software faster by about 100% </p>

<p>Community service. 200+ hours at an NGO. I train the underprivileged and differently abled at the IT centre. </p>

<p>Well, no APs or clubs. I'm from a modest background and haven't attended big schools were there are clubs and stuff. My school is a pretty small one, so no sports either. Hope I can explain this to them and they'll consider this income factor.
Also, I can pay around $20k a year(loans, parent contribution, borrowing, external scholarships put together.)</p>

<p>So....any reply would be welcome. Except negative ones. But please be honest. Also, I'd be happy to know if any good schools match for me. Specifically if UT Austin, OSU, Purdue, TAMU match.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot!</p>

2

<p>With your current SAT score and scores at school, chances at Cornell, MIT, Dartmouth and U of C are very very slim given you pretty good extracurricular activities. But you do have a great shot and school lie Purdue, UIUC etc. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Thanks! But what I’m writing SAT again, and as I said, I expect more than 2100 or 2200. Will that boost my chances?</p>

4

<p>Obviously a better sat score will boost your chances… I mean thats kinda obvious. Its not all about SAT scores, just remember that</p>

5

<p>Hey, can anybody chance me for NYU?</p>

6

<p>I would say NYU could be an option for you. NYU allows you the option of sending either SATs or Three Subject SATs scores. That would be 1 Science+1 Math+1 Any other. So you could write one more Subject SAT, maybe English. My suggestion send Subject SATs, because though your SAT is a decent score but CR 540 is again a red flag.</p>

<p>Again 11 Class grades should be a worry. But if you explain those and definitely if your
12th grade gpa is what you say it is, that is a great jump. So your essay or personal statement should be ‘dazzling’ if I may use the word.</p>

<p>The biggest concern…if you get past all that…NYU is one of the most expensive schools. Cost of Attendance 65-70k dollars per annum.</p>

7

<p>Thanks! :slight_smile: where exactly can I explain the reason for my 11th grades? In which essay? Also, NYU says they accept 12 predicted marks also instead of SAT. How does that work? They give me conditional admission offer? (PS: How are my 9th and 10h scores? The admission office said it gives more emphasis to 10th and 12th.)</p>

8

<p>Since the application deadline is 1 January for RD applicants, you will be sending in your Half Yearly or Pre Board scores. Predicted scores are based on these. Predicted scores are more relevant for IBDP candidates for whom Exams are conducted in May, which is 2 months after the college decisions come out.</p>

<p>But since the ICSE conducts Exams in February much before the college decisions which come out in the last week of March, in your case your Final scores would play an important role in the decision.</p>

9

<p>Hey! I’m in state board(PUC) and not in ICSE now. The exams take place in march and results come out in may. So I guess my pre-boards will matter.</p>

10

<p>The school can do it or you, that would be the best. Read this and you will get an idea what I am suggesting.</p>

<p>[Should</a> You Explain a Bad Grade When Applying to College? The Dos and Don’ts for Explaining a Bad Grade](<a href=“http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/f/explaining-a-bad-grade.htm]Should”>Should You Explain Bad Grades on College Applications?)</p>

<p>If you wish to write it as an essay topic for Commonapp…then this might be of help, I think the second prompt can be used to tell your story, “Option #2: Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?”,</p>

<p>[Explaining</a> a Bad Grade in a College Application Essay | Applying To College](<a href=“http://applyingtocollege.org/2012/03/22/explaining-a-bad-grade-in-a-college-application-essay/]Explaining”>Explaining a Bad Grade in a College Application Essay | Applying To College)</p>

<p>[How</a> to Explain a Bad Grade on a College Essay | The Classroom | Synonym](<a href=“http://classroom.synonym.com/explain-bad-grade-college-essay-4346.html]How”>How to Explain a Bad Grade on a College Essay - Synonym)</p>

11

<p>Yes in your case Pre Boards scores will be important.</p>

12

<p>In terms of Tuition and Fee UT Austin 38-52k/year.</p>

<p>[Cost</a> of Attending | Be a Longhorn](<a href=“http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/whyut/basics/finances]Cost”>http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/whyut/basics/finances)</p>

<p>At TAMU, again roughly 40k/year</p>

<p><a href=“https://financialaid.tamu.edu/Cost/COA_Undergrad.aspx[/url]”>https://financialaid.tamu.edu/Cost/COA_Undergrad.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>At OSU, again apps. 40k/year</p>

<p>[Cost</a> of Attendance | Financial Aid and Scholarships | Oregon State University](<a href=“http://oregonstate.edu/financialaid/cost-attendance]Cost”>http://oregonstate.edu/financialaid/cost-attendance)</p>

<p>At UChicago 60k+/year,</p>

<p>[Cost</a> of Attendance | The University of Chicago College Admissions](<a href=“http://collegeaid.uchicago.edu/costs/cost.shtml]Cost”>http://collegeaid.uchicago.edu/costs/cost.shtml)</p>

<p>At Purdue it will be 44k/ year.</p>

<p>[Purdue</a> University :: Tuition and Fees](<a href=“http://www.admissions.purdue.edu/costsandfinaid/tuitionfees.php]Purdue”>Tuition and Fees - Undergraduate Admissions - Purdue University)</p>

13

<p>Some other good ‘match’ for you would be Georgia Tech and UIUC but again COA would be apps 40k year at both places for International students.</p>

14

<p>Thanks a lot for all those posts, anialways! :smiley: Yes, I am considering UIUC and GTech too. Only worry is if I’ll be able to repay my loans, provided I get good grades and a good job.</p>