Do I stand out a chance?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi,
So let's give a brief idea about my background:
Graduated last year from high school. Ranked 147 of around 30K participant. Got into the best (most selective?) university in my country (Tunisia) and now feeling sick and bored. Both with the quality of study and also I'm thinking seriously of a career change. My age is 19. I have been doing freelance programming in the side in this summer. I build websites and scripts. I can make $400-$600 a month (mind, I'm a starter anyway) and getting more and more successful.</p>

<p>Since I'm bored with the whole situation (uni + country + career) I'm considering to apply for Stanford (preferably, since it's in the Bay Area). I also have interest/considering other universities.</p>

<p>So simply said, in this situation: What Are My Chances? (Financial aid is a must right now). </p>

<p>That's question 1 [I don't stand a chance]. Let's move on, I still optimistic :)
My plan is simple: I'm growing an online business and projecting $30K-$40 in sale by summer 2011. And as my skills improve, I would be able to work at a $30/hour rate. If that ever happened, I'll have two (?) sadvantages</p>

<ul>
<li>I don't need financial aid</li>
<li>I have made a success. Isn't this a proof of my abilities.</li>
</ul>

<p>Programming Background:
Started coding at the age of 11. At 18 turned from an amateur to a beginner. Right now getting mature on JavaScript and preparing a business plan (with rescue and alternative plans) for my next venture. I have a good (not excellent) social/coding profile.</p>

<p>Now you may ask: If I get successful, why the hell spend the money on a higher education. The answer is the network, the friends and the higher odds that I can be more and more successful.</p>

<p>Other questions:
Can I take the SAT and other exams? How? (Please, link to resources if you have)
What's a good English?
Please answer the first question and then comment on my strategy to increase my odds. Any comments/suggestions/rants that may be useful are welcome. Your experience is worth a lot and will benefit both me and other readers.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot.</p>

2

<p>Only six American schools will be need-blind in admissions for you (Dartmouth, Harvard, MIT, Amherst, Yale and Princeton), and all schools have a very limited amount of aid that they can offer to Internationals. The financial burden of going to college in the U.S. is enough to discourage many qualified International students from even applying. </p>

<p>And you are going to want to take the SATs and the TOEFL. Without knowing your test scores and high school GPA, it is very difficult to assess your chances at any U.S. school. But from what you listed, Stanford most likely will be out of reach. However, there are plenty of other schools that have excellent computer programming programs, like UIUC and CMU, that are much less selective.</p>

3

<p>Thanks billabongboy9828.
I have checked [SAT</a> International Test Dates - Dates for International SAT Test Takers](<a href=“http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-international-dates]SAT”>http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-international-dates) and there is a SAT representative in Tunisia. What’s a good SAT score? I read that score ranges from 200 to 800. Does a strong SAT score means getting accepted into MIT?</p>

4

<p>Yes, there is a very strong correlation between a high SAT score and chances of admission. Generally, for a school like Stanford, you are going to want a 2200, but for non-English-based Internationals, a score above 2000 is what you should be shooting for.</p>

5

<p>SAT scores need to be strong, I’d go with 2200 as a minimum goal, but your high school and college grades will be even more important. Stanford accepts about 2% of transfer applicants. Getting aid is hard. Shoot for the moon but aid some less selective schools too.</p>

6

<p>@Redroses
I’m considering starting as a freshman (since I’m changing my path). Does this even put me as a transfer?</p>

7

<p>If you have started college, Stanford considers you a transfer no matter what you study.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the responses so far. I’ll be looking more into the SAT and MIT.</p>

9

<p>^MIT is more selective than Stanford, i.e. your chances would be even less.</p>