Do these colleges fit to me? need help

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi folks. I am an international student from South Korea and came to America a year ago. I am a junior struggling with college stuff. The high school that I am attending now does not care about academics. It mainly cares about religion stuff. For this reason, there are only 4 AP classes and a few Honor classes and one or two clubs. No part time job or internship due to F-1 visa, which prohibits international students from earning money.However, I have strong topics for essays like why I came to America or why I started studying.

Here are my stats.

GPA: 3.83 (UW) 4.1 (weighted)

AP: Biology(have taken) Cal AB/BC (senior year)

Honor courses: Algebra II , Pre-cal, Chemistry, Biology

ACT-33

SAT II : above 700 for Math II, chem, biology M

EC- 9th-10th grade (school in South Korea) : vice president of class (9th)
president of science class (9th)
member of The Korea Youth Frontiers for Volunteer (10th)
vice president of book club (10th)
more than 5 official awards from school

11th~ (school in America) : president of AMC club
church choir (a year)
tutoring (a year)
member of NHS
Award from Math teacher
100+ service hours
soccer team (a year)

The college lists that I have chosen ( major : molecular biology or cellular biology) :

University of Michigan, UT Austin, Emory, WashU, Brown, OSU, Yale, University of Wisconsin - Madison, UCLA, UNC Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, University of Florida

I apologize that this post is too long. However, I am seriously nervous when it comes to college stuff since I feel everything is too late for me. I appreciate a lot. I need help.

2

Yale: No.
Brown: No.
WashU: Likely no.
UNC- Chapel Hill: Chances may be a little low.
U Michigan: Chances may be a little low.
Emory: Chances may be a little low.
UT-Austin: On the bubble.
UCLA: Maybe yes.
Wake Forest: Likely yes.
Ohio State: Yes.
U Florida: Yes.
Wisconsin-Madison: Insufficient data.

Have you considered LACs (liberal arts colleges)?

3

I’m thinking about Pomona , Amherst, Wellesley college.

4

All of those LACs are tough to get into, even with your stats.

You might also think about University of Colorado at Boulder; from what I can tell it has highly rated cellular/molecular biology programs, and you would be close to a safety for admissions purposes.

5

These are tough schools to get into, but not impossible. Some people DO get in. Your grades are decent and your ACT score is at or above the average for every school on your list (even Yale). heck, your ACT is well above the average for most of your list. I also think you could have a compelling story to tell about your transition to America. So don’t let anyone discourage you from trying for what you want.

As far as your list goes, the four hardest to get into will be Yale, Amherst, Pomona and Brown . You would need to get lucky for any of them. It could happen but don’t count on it.

You have a reasonable shot at Wash U if you apply binding early decision. Wash U loves to take qualified applicants who apply early decision.

You have a good chance at Wellesley, Michigan, UNC, Emory and Wake Forest, because your test scores are well above average for all of them.

You almost assuredly will get in to Ohio State, Florida and Wisconsin, even though you are out of state, because your ACT score is top of the charts for them.

UCLA is weird. All of the top UC schools care more about grades and rigor of classes than they do about test scores, at least for instate students. In state students need almost perfect grades, and I imagine for out of state students it is even worse.

6

I really appreciate it. How about Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, and BC?

7

Georgetown: No.
Carnegie Mellon: Maybe yes.
Boston College: Insufficient data.

8

I would say your status as an international student may help. Lots of my friends come from South Korea, Im korean myself, and are like you. Since you unfortunately cant get FA, some colleges know that youll pay a lottt, so they want you. Note: I said some, probably not the ones you have listed.
I agree with @gandalf78 for the ones he has definitively said yes or no to. But I would still shoot for the stars. Plus, you dont need the BEST undergrads. Other schools have awesome bio programs that you may be overlooking. That said, research.
I also recommend you to start your essays, or at least view the prompts, now. I cant tell you how difficult it is to start it at the beginning of senior year (what I did). Plus, those schools require lengthy supplements. I would do Washu since it requires no supplements, but others want a lot. With your grades, your essays need to be superb. So, acknowledge that. If you spend more time on less colleges and making those essays really good rather than allocating your time and focusing on multiple colleges, you ll most likely get in. If that makes sense. For example, I crossed off Stanford, JHU, Rice, and Cornell because my list was too long and rather unreasonable. But, I spent more time on USC, Vanderbilt, and a few others. Hope this helps!!

9

It really does : ) Did you get any accepted?

10

When you are applying, think about 1-2 safety schools (admission and finances), 2-3 reach schools, and 4-5 match schools. That should allow you to cover a wide range of schools, force you to focus on what schools really offer what you are looking for, and protect you against getting shut out of admissions. Also, visit what schools you can afford to visit while the schools are in session; that should also help you refine your ultimate application list.

11

I see. I really appreciate it :slight_smile:

12

Your ACT is above average for Carnegie Mellon and Georgetown and well above average for Boston College. Since you have good grades, you have a reasonable shot at all of them, and a very good shot at Boston College.

13

Thanks a lot! : )

14

Can your family afford full tuition at these schools or will you require financial aid? If you need financial aid, your choices will be more limited because comparatively few universities meet full need for international students.

15

What do you mean ‘full need’?

16

Bump

17

@Taewoolee “Full need” means that if a student is admitted, the university will provide the financial aid necessary for that student to attend. So if you are very poor, it might cover everything, minus a small loan and/or a work study job on campus. However, this policy typically does not extend to international students and international students are not eligible for federal loans, which often comprise part of a financial offer.

Additionally, some schools are “need aware” and if there are concerns about being unable to pay all expenses, applicants might be rejected for that reason. Also to obtain a visa to study at a college or university in this country, your family will have to demonstrate its ability to meet your expenses as a student.

Amherst, which you mentioned, meets full demonstrated financial need for international students.

18

“Full need” means the amount of money that you would require to attend the school. i e the cost of attendance minus the amount that your parents can pay. As an international, if you ask for financial aid, it will decrease your chances at almost every school.

19

Can your parents pay $65.000/year for 4 years??

20

Or $45,000 for UF.