<p>Hi! I'm from Hungary and I'd like to apply to Stanford this month. I've read the results some people have in this section and got scared because my SAT scores will be much worse as the others. I just want to ask if there's any comprehension to international students at this area? I mean, I'm not a native speaker, so the Critical Reading and Writing scores come for me a bit harder :) I'm just a bit annoyed by the fact that if I could do these in Hungarian they were so much better. I speak English fluently, that's not the issue but on the practice tests I failed to reach 700 points in Critical Reading and 720 in Writing, although my Maths scores were always at least 780. I also have a 760 World History, 740 German, and a 720 Maths 1 score, and could improve the Maths because I should be able to do it 800. I'm a really good student here in one of the best schools of the nation, and I achieved a lot of results but they are hard to interpret into US standards, because the system here is completely different. So, if any of you know anything about the difference between US and international admission (if there is a difference), please tell me about it, thanks.</p>
<p>To the best of my knowledge, I can tell you that it is much more difficult as an international student than as a native (which is already unbelievably difficult). Stanford doesn’t just look at your test scores but if you have “lower than average” scores, it hurts you more than someone domestic. I totally sympathize with your language situation because I have friends in China with the same problem, but it’s an American school in the United States… so, what can ya do. </p>
<p>Also something to consider - are you planning to apply for financial aid? Most schools look at international students’ financial situation while making their decision.</p>
<p>Yep, I will apply to financial aid because I need it, the costs of a college like Stanford are impossible to pay from here (my parents’ income is under 12,000$ and the taxes are the highest in Europe). I just wondered how do international students get in, because I can’t imagine that they have 750+ scores in Critical Reading or Writing. I hope that they consider my academic achievements, here you can get grades from 1 to 5 in a particular subject, last year I got 5 for all my subjects (13 actually), so I’m the best student in the school which is a famous one here, I cannot really present any honors because the system is different, there are lots of competitions but they are all national, I’ve never won any but have reached the final many times, I don’t know how to interpret it. It’s an awful situation because I expect to have really good school-leaving exams (here college admission is only about these scores), so I could go to any college in Hungary but their education suck, so I decided to try to go to the USA, because I love the attitude there 
but it seems that I have no chance to get into an above the average college.</p>
<p>Have the headmaster/principal of your school explain some your achievements in his letter of recommendation. Give him a list of your achievements so he knows what to include. Include your awards and the times you came in 2nd or 3rd place in a very competitive exam or academic competition. Good luck.</p>
<p>haha Hungarians! I heard u guys r solid in mathematics. I still have that old Hungarian mathematical Olympiad book…crazy stuff. Yea so dont worry, apply to Stanford and see what happens. There is no harm in trying. </p>
<p>Moreover, your geographical location is unique. Not many east europeans apply to the US, let alone Stanford. So might have a slight advantage there</p>
<p>Regards
Fellow 2014er</p>
<p>Thanks a lot. Anybody has an idea what to do with the counselor things? Because no such thing exists here. I was thinking about the principal, but he doesn’t have clue who I am, than the secretary of the school, who has my reports and data but don’t know me, and my head teacher who knows me well and has an access to my reports but is also my Maths teacher, so I don’t know if she’s eligible for the counselor recommendation or not.</p>
<p>ask the admissions office by email</p>
<p>sometimes schools allow a third teacher to do that recommendation if they play the role of an academic advisor</p>
<p>She’s not an advisor, because in Hungary there are no advisors or counselors or whatsoever. You have a question, you look it up on the internet or ask your buddy or a teacher, but since you don’t need any school reports recommendations or such things, just your school leaving exams, there is no need for a counselor. Anyway, I only have two teachers who speak English (my English and Literature teacher) so the third one will be translated by me, no matter who writes it.</p>
<p>anything your teachers write MUST be translated by a professional</p>
<p>I agree with indianmonster. Even though International students are usually held to a higher standard than american students, with your eastern European location and your parents’ low income you may eliminate some or all of the disadvantages associated with applying as an international.</p>
<p>My mum is a professional translator, she’ll sign the translations I submit and I think that’s OK. I’m a bit fed up because at the admissions office they seem to be unaware of the international application forms… they couldn’t really answer to my questions.</p>
<p>Put together a list of your activities and awards from grade 10-12 for Stanford, or grades 9-12 if you are applying elsewhere in the US. Make an appointment to go see the principal and tell him where you’re applying and that you are looking for a 1-2 page anecdotal report card and that you would like him to include the items you highlighted on your list. Then have your English teacher translate his letter if he/she speakns no English. Spend a little time talking to him about your future goals and aspirations and how much his letter will mean to you. He should mention how long he has been headmaster.</p>
<p>Thank you for your help. I did the things you told me with my form teacher, and now we’re finished with the recommendations and the forms, thank God… I only have my essays left.</p>
<p>I knew that my SAT would be bad, but I didn’t think of this… 560 CR, 590 Writing, 770 Maths.</p>
<p>I have some questions, please respond ASAP, as I will submit my essays immediately. Am I allowed to use abbreviations (e.g it’s, they’re, etc.)? And is there a limit for the main essay? Thank you very much.</p>
<p>No conjunctions (abbreviations). The main essay should be 500-750, but just make sure it’s under 1000. With those SAT scores, I hope you have some really kickass essays and extracurriculars.</p>
<p>Thanks. I know I should have really good extracurriculars and so on, but I hope that they consider that as an international the language questions are not so easy for me. My Hungarian tests and exams are really good maybe that helps too.</p>