<p>I am a Portuguese senior high school student, who's applying to some top schools in the US. I would like to know your opinion on my chances please! I need great financial aid btw.
Stanford - MIT - UPenn - Princeton - Yale - Cornell - Wesleyan (Double Major Computer and Cognitive Science)</p>
<p>GPA: 19,3/20
SAT: 2120 (800 Math, 720 Writing, 600 Critical Reading)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Physics, 750 Chemistry
No APs available in Portugal</p>
<p>ECs:
Founder and president of a big cultural association (12)
8th-graded guitar student at music conservatory (since kid)
Tennis (9, 10, 11, 12)
EYP (internationally aclaimed delegate, chairperson, head organizar and editor) (10, 11, 12)
Volunteering (a LOT of time, around 400 hours)
President of a Gavel Club (12)
National finalist of mathematical and chemistry olympiads
Self-employed webdesigner + world intellectual property organization award in the category of design (11, 12)
Editor-in-chief of a cultural magazine (circulation of almost 20,000) (12)
Participate in university level classes of physics and maths (16 hours a month per subject) (11,12)</p>
<p>In my essays I still stressed my passion for the guitar (jam sessions), my intellectual curiosity, my artistic identity and shared some anecdotes, for example when I lost the elections for the student council and created what is now a huge association,...</p>
<p>Are you saying being an international helps my SAT flaw or my application in general? It’s because I’m actually applying to financial aid at the same time, I can’t see how is that easier than being a domestic.
One more thing. Independently of what university do I get in, do you believe I will get in at least one from the first five? Stanford, UPenn, MIT, Princeton, Yale.
Thanks!</p>
<p>MBenz and DZheims are wrong. It is MUCH more competitive for international students than USA students. These colleges accept around 1% of international students. Your scores are not at the average for international admits but are still competitive. Apply, and make sure to have secure backup(usually in your own country as most universities in the US will not give you financial aid).</p>
<p>These schools are definitely reaches, and they’re more difficult for international students. I would suggest applying to Quinnipiac, it would set you up with a great safety and I think it would be an amazing fit for you! Best of luck :)</p>
<p>I think you have a shot, especially if your performance on the National Math & Chemistry Olympiads is real. The 600 Reading is okay.They will discount it because you are international.</p>
<p>Thank you guys! Of course everything I’ve stated is real ahah, didn’t even think otherwise.
I am really anxious about this. I spent nearly a thousand euros and countless hours applying to these universities. Since childhood I dream of going to the US and, actually, entering any of the first five universities would be a gorgeous news. I am aware my score on the critical reading is low, but I’m prowd of it, I never thought I could reach such a score. My english classes are pretty basic and none of my teachers had even heard about the SAT. Apart from it I believe my application is very strong, and I could express my dreams and my philosophy in almost every college essays. My GPA is also very good, considering the country I am studying. In fact, if I was to convert it to a 4.0 GPA it would be a perfect score, because all my grades are above 18/20, what is pretty rare here in Portugal. My ECs are also pretty good, especially the ones from the 12th grade. I am convinced of this because I have nearly no time for myself during the week, but I do enjoy it; otherwise I wouldn’t enroll any of them.
Once again, thank you for your support, and good luck with your applications!</p>
<p>Being an international myself, I think that GPA is awesome (I honestly don’t know how people rake up perfect averages). Your SAT…well, you’re not a native English speaker, and your Math and Subject Test scores bear you out. With your ECs (especially the olympiads and Web design, I hope you provided links) I think you have a fair shot with other internationals…though of course everything is a reach for us I’d say you have a very real chance at Cornell and UPenn; I’ve seen worse international apps get in, and you sound like an interesting person :)</p>
<p>did you already apply or will you apply for next year? I think that your chances for those schools is very slim, although not impossible. It is MUCH harder to get in as an international. and with that 600 in reading it will be hard. You should have/ should apply to lower caliber schools that may easily accept you with full ride. Trinity University, U of Richmond, St. Mary’s come to mind. You should really look at Amherst College, which is one of the 6 need blind schools for internationals. Also look at Harvard and Dartmouth, which are also need blind. </p>
<p>I applied to Harvard under EA, but by that time I had a 1840 in the SAT so I was boldly rejected (I didn’t know what score did I have before applying).
I have applied to Trinity and Skidmore colleges as well, however I don’t know whether I would leave the country to attend them if they were the only colleges accepting me. I applied to these top universities, like Ivy League and Stanford, because I feel I really belong there. My SAT may not demonstrate it (I’m an international student, how I am supposed to have similar scores to native english speakers?), but I believe I truly possess the intelectual curiosity and innovative spirit these colleges so seek in students. I don’t know of anyone in Portugal who has similar ECs to me and eventually have excellent grades. I barely have time to study so as to keep my association running (it’s pretty damn complicated, believe me), however I still manage to be taking two paralel high-scool courses (Sciences and Musics), as well as being enrolled in other clubs (Gavel, EYP), volunteering and university-level classes. Not to mention I practice tennis and I run a nationally aclaimed magazine! What am I supposed to do more so as to enter these univs? I have success in all these activities and still have a pretty good social life. Gosh this is demotivating!</p>
I’d say you have a very real chance at Cornell and UPenn; I’ve seen worse international apps get in, and you sound like an interesting person :)</p>