PS: Congrats! You should be proud and happy.
I said less than 65k because that is what qualifies me for a full scholarship. I did not want to be more specific for privacy reasons. Should I have said “my family makes way, way less than 65k”? For all you know, my family could be earning 10k, which is not uncommon for Greece. But why does everyone care so much about these details? Does exactly how much I make really matter? Im obviously not wealthy. These comments are dwelling on trivial things rather than looking at the big picture.
Also, I did not imply that all the kids that go to private school earn 35% of the positions. I was saying that, if Harvard represented the US student body accurately, only 10% of the class would be from private schools. But it does not represent it accurately, because it is favorable towards private school students.
And this post was not about how underpriviliged international students are compared to US residents. Im sure US students have their own struggles. But this post was for international students, because I dont feel like they dont receive enough encouragement to apply.
Congrats! I’m from Vietnam and have the same conditions. My parents can’t pay much for my tuition fees. I don’t attend any college and go to work after I graduated from high school. My GPA is quite low about 2.5 - 3.0 if my SAT is high don’t you think I got a chance? I want to apply to an US college and don’t know where to start. Everybody said it’s too late to prepare (I’m 23 now). (Sorry for my bad English)
Ppl aren’t focusing on your details. They are focusing on your aggressive/defensive attitude when you answer them, and your misconceptions about the US ppl, schools, etc, and your quick jump to “be offended” bc someone pointed out that you are from an underrepresented country, and that helps in the very limited pool of slots available to all internationals. And you still don’t get the math (statistics).
As I said, good luck at Harvard.
OK, so some people are obviously just commenting to get a kick out making me frustrated. Moving on.
@captainmiao thanks for the message! To be honest with you, your low GPA really hurts your application. Is there any way you can improve it now? Also, you need to get on the academic path again. I read that in Vietnam students sit for special exams to enter university. Greece’s system is very similar to this. Given your situation, I would suggest trying to get into a Vietnamese institution and leave the US for grad school.
I am telling you this because, in order for US universities to accept you and give you financial aid, you need to prove to them that you can handle the work. Your GPA does not reflect that. If, however, you work hard to get into University in Vietnam and graduate with stellar grades, your chances of getting into a US university will significantly increase!
I know that getting into university in Vietnam is probably a nightmare - it is similar in my country. The entry exams are ridiculously hard, and almost everyone that gets in has paid for tutors. But it is not impossible, and I am sure that if you are determined, you can do it! And don’t listen to people that say it is too late to get a quality education.
If you really want to go to the US, you can, but, given your situation, it has to take some more time to prepare your application. It will probably entail you entering a Vietnamese institution for higher education, at least temporarily. Take advantage of all your resources, especially online.
I am really curious to know how exactly the Vietnamese educational system works, cause it sounds a lot like the one we have in my country. I would love to read an elaboration on its function if you feel like it.
But you did get to go to a private school!
“i attend a private school with a full-tuition scholarship”
Yup, I got a scholarship for the last 2 years of high school. I worked hard and earned it because I knew that it would benefit me. I still attended public school for ten years though.
@seniorburnout honestly, don’t listen to them. These people are either envious or trying to get their own self-confidence up. As an international student like you who needed large scholarships and aid, I empathize with you. Congratulations on your acceptance; you deserve it and it is clear you have worked very hard. Good luck on all your future endeavors!
@SaifoSehamy thank you! Good luck on everything you are up to as well!
No… you are obviously excited about getting in, and congratulations. But to assume that others in a situation that has SOME parallels to yours can expect the same results is not helpful. Long time posters out here have seen literally thousands of international students who DIDN’T get into anyplace with sufficient financial aid. A post that implies, “C’mon, everybody, give it a try, you have just as good a chance as I had” just keeps students who aren’t going to get in from focusing on the options in their home country that they are likely to end up pursuing. You just attracted one to this thread who has zero chance of getting into any of the colleges that give good FA to internationals.
Where will you be attending college? Although your family’s income is in the $2K+ bracket, you need financial aid. Case Western Reserve didn’t give you finaid (only $10K merit), so you indicated you won’t be going there. What are your other possibilities?
Too late to edit - Your family’s income is in the $200K + bracket.
I think OP’s original post is mere cheerleading and is not helpful to anyone. OP found success because OP had superior credentials, came from an underrepresented country, and was accepted to a wealthy college with a generous financial aid policy. Self-belief and hard work would have meant nothing without those elements. It doesn’t do aspiring foreign applicants any favors to encourage them to reach beyond their grasp. They have to intelligently evaluate their credentials and financial situations and determine whether they have a chance of being accepted to schools in the US that they can afford. The title of this thread includes the words “YOU CAN DO IT!” The reality is that most international applicants can’t do it. OP is smart enough to know that. At the end of the day, I have to think OP’s entire post was just a humblebrag–or maybe just a plain old brag.
^^^
This. A better thread title would be “You can’t do it unless you try!” You may not succeed, but you’ll never know unless you give it a shot. Just try to have realistic expectations.
No… I don’t agree that the OP is bragging… I think they just genuinely don’t realize what went into their acceptance, and just how many students out here do not match their profile. The OP also DID have an element of luck, too (sounds like only accepted at Harvard and Davidson).
I appreciate the criticism, but what is being overlooked is that I myself thought that I did not stand a chance. I genuinely believed that I would not get in anywhere. But what would have happened if I did not apply to the US? I would have missed these opportunities. And this was the reason I created this post - to communicate with people that also think that it’s impossible. And also because, if I had read this post 5 months ago, it would have made me feel better and maybe help my anxiety a little.
Guys, what @seniorburnout is trying to emphasize is people who are in the same boat as him/her should not be terrified by the quirky admission schemes for international students, but rather give it a go. If you have a GPA less than 3.5, or a very low SAT, then you should be smart enough to know those stats won’t get you anywhere as an international. It’s not that she is trying to give false hope, but rather optimism, which I respect a lot. .
The acceptance rates at most US universities for international students who apply for aid is less than 2%, compared to an average of around 40% for those privileged students who wont, depending on each university’s endowment and financial circumstances. Financial aid will certainly plummet your chances at a US university and you need stellar scores and ECs to be considered. But it is still possible and you should not give up from the beginning, but rather try because you never know.
I think that is the message @seniorburnout is trying to deliver.
I think OP’s message is quite clear and needs no interpretation. From OP’s own words: If you’re an international in need of aid, “YOU CAN DO IT!”; “NOTHING can stop you from achieving your goals!”; “You can earn your place at a college, no matter your financial situation…you just gotta believe in yourself and work your butt off”; “You can earn your place at a college, no matter your financial situation!” That’s the message, and it’s nonsense.
There are many great, realistic, useful, posts in this forum about the potential for financial aid for international students. OP’s isn’t one of them.