Gap year, international student, looking for financial aid.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I'm from India. I graduated from high school in May last year, and took a gap year to work in an internet start-up here. That didn't quite work out so I decided to wait out the whole year and apply to college. I'm a prospective Computer Science major, and my family can contribute ~ $10-12k a year. </p>

<p>Here's a brief overview of my application: </p>

<p>SAT I: 2190 (2 sittings. 780M, 690 CR, 720W (8 in the essay))</p>

<p>SAT II: 1590/1600 (Physics 790, Math II 800)</p>

<p>APs: 5/5 in 5 APs (Calculus BC, Phsyics C: E&M, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Physics B)</p>

<p>My high school doesn't rank.</p>

<p>GPA (on 100)- 97</p>

<p>Ranked in the top 1% of the ICSE and ISC examinations (the 10th and 12th grade school leaving examinations in India)</p>

<p>Awards: </p>

<p>a) AP Scholar with distinction
b) Awarded a national scholarship each for my ICSE and ISC results
c) Became a Cadet in the National Cadet Corpse in the 10th grade
d) Won some prizes in school for my performance in individual classes </p>

<p>Activities: </p>

<p>a) Designed a database and website for blood donors as part of a blood donation drive. (gap year work)
b) Taught topics tested in the ISC computer science exam through video lectures on youtube. I also tutored a few people in math, science, and computer science. (gap year work)
c) Designed various mobile applications, like one that can help prevent rape by plotting safe routes for travel at night, and also numerous games and applets (gap year work)
d) I play squash.
e) President of the school Science Club, and Director of the school's Reader's club (literature themed club)
f) Delegate and committee board member in MUNs
g) Worked in a few plays in high school, and did some more theater work in my gap year.
h) Took numerous online courses (EdX, coursera) - if that counts.</p>

<p>Essay: wasn't dramatic but gave an objective and accurate depiction of my personality. ( quoting the people who reviewed them)</p>

<p>LORs- Should be good. I've got them from teachers who've taught me for four years in high school.</p>

<p>I'm looking for some honest feedback for these colleges- </p>

<p>a) Lehigh (legacy, uncle went there)
b) Lafayette
c) Clark University
d) Reed College
e) Dickinson
f) DePauw
g) Grinnell
h) Bucknell
i) Occidental
j) Middlebury</p>

2

<p>Bump</p>

3

<p>You have good academics and you got good SAT score also. I think you can get into Clarkson University. Lehigh and Reed College seem difficult. Which major you want to apply for?</p>

4

<p>Computer Science at most. Math major at places that don’t offer a CS major (Reed, Occidental)</p>

5

<p>All the colleges you listed are excellent, but it might be too late to get into any of them in 2014. You might end up with two gap years. If you were accepted last year to any schools, then contact them again and see if they will take you. Also, some schools allow you to enter in January.</p>

<p>I see that you have not listed any state universities. Based on your list, I am guessing that you now live in Pennsylvania. Your best bet, at this point, might be to apply to Penn State or Pitt.</p>

<p>For computer science, the best school on your list might be Lehigh (the weakest might be Dickinson). Another excellent choice in Pennsylvania is Allegheny College, which is strong on technical subjects, and its application deadline is February 15th. Also, since you are on the high end of their SAT range, Allegheny might give you a merit scholarship.</p>

6

<p>Please don’t include that you were in the National Cadet “Corpse”!!! :P</p>

7

<p>^Honest mistake :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

8

<p>Thank you! I’ve already applied to the colleges I’ve listed.</p>