Chances RD? International student, need aid.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Hi!
I'm a senior in India, and I really need a very substantial amount of aid for college. </p>

<p>I am a pretty good student.
I've taken the SAT only once, 2190 (m:710; cr:760; w:720) but I'm taking it again on November 8th.
I've already given the Lit subject test and got an 800, and will be giving a second subject test, probably world history, in December. I am applying for either Psychology, International Relations, or PolSci. Not sure yet.</p>

<p>We don't have GPAs here, but my predicted grades are very high:
English: 95%
Sociology: 92%+; I'm lowballing here.
Psychology: around 90%- probably higher.
Economics: 90%
Math: 80% but that was due to me being sick on exam day, they'll improve by 5-10% or so in the December evals.</p>

<p>btw, we only have 5 subjects in junior and senior year, and there is no concept of AP classes.
My 10th grade Board marks were also good.</p>

<p>As for my extracurriculars;
-first ever Head of Debates at my school, Badgeholder.
-Founder of Project Vak (a project that helped schoolkids between 11-18 years with overcoming the fear of speaking in public).
-Co-founder of the Kalidas Initiative (raised funds- around Rs. 1,00,000- to get children living on the streets into shelters, in collaboration with NGOs)
-Vice-President of Gifting A Smile (raised funds and awareness for & about cleft palate deformities; just successfully funded a surgery- collaborated with Operation Smile, Smile Train, and other big international orgs. Krispy Kreme is a sponsor).
-Executive Board on the TSRS MUN.
-Worked with the Public Health Foundation of India (a govt. body) on their tuberculosis initiative.
-Won the national level Tehelka Foundation Freedom Of Speech Competition.
-Have participated in numerous debates and MUNs- both national and community/school levels, and of oxford, modified cambridge, and parliamentary formats.
-Editor (6 yrs) and Senior Editor (1 yr, obviously ) of the Uncensored Magazine (and on the TSRS Editorial Board).
-Winner of the Triveni Award for lateral thinking.
-Acted in and organised youth productions of 'Wicked' and 'As You Like It'.
-Member of the Sanskriti 'Youth For Economics' leadership panel.
-Member of the yearbook committee at my school
- involved in numerous other school spirit activities and other clubs.</p>

<p>Can't think of anything else off of the top of my head.</p>

<p>Thank you,
Tanya.</p>

2

<p>I am not certain whether NU provides substantial aid for international students.</p>

3

<p>A friend of mine was just accepted this year with 50% aid.</p>

4

<p>That’s interesting!</p>

5

<p>Then you should know where you stand compared to your friend, @Trohats‌.
I’d say your SAT is a little too low for RD. You would still stand a chance for ED, but guess that’s too late?</p>

6

<p>NU states on their web site that they provide financial aid to “a small group of international students” and that “the amount of financial aid needed by an applicant may also be a factor in a final admission decision.”
<a href=“International Student Aid: Undergraduate Admissions - Northwestern University”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/financial-aid/financial-aid-for-international-students.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>If you need aid, I have an international friend who received $55k per year. However, you have to be really really good and ideally…have external sponsorship backing u up</p>

8

<p>Alafae - I am curious on why you think OPs SAT is too low. At 1470 m+cr he is well within the 1390-1560 25/75 range. Therefore his chances will probably come down to his overall application and need for financial aid rather than his SATs, right?
Londondad </p>

9

<p>I’m an international student here and I can tell you Northwestern is VERY generous with their financial aid. If you get in, your need will be met. I think your profile looks very good. If you apply ED, being an international student looking for aid, you will be deferred for Regular Decision since they don’t award financial aid to intl students during ED but you should still apply ED to show interest. </p>

10

UPDATE: My sat is now 2330. Does this put me in a good position to get substantial aid? Thanks.

11

Definitely much better a chance. I previously meant that your scores might be a little low for RD admission because they are getting more and more competitive, with an admission rate of RD being approx 4%. No one but the adcom can say you have a definite chance to get in, but with your 2330 and stellar ECs, you stand a good chance :slight_smile:

12

Thank you!