HELP: Applying as an International Student

College Search & Selection
1

Hi! I’m a rising senior and I am looking at colleges that match my needs and trying to compile a realistic list.
I have quite a bit of confusion because applying to a rigor college as an international student can be different and tricky.

Some backgrounds:
I started studying in the US as a transfer at a small private high school in a small town where most people tend to go to local colleges. But I want to go somewhere in/ close to a big city where I won’t get stuck inside for 4 years. I prefer colleges with strong academic focus and the minimum party atmosphere/ Greek life. Tuition wouldn’t be a major factor. I really like LACs like Wellesley and other seven sisters but wouldn’t mind going to a larger school like PSU. Math and science are my main interests. I might consider taking classics, environmental or philosophy as a minor and taking music lessons at college. A school with higher ranking is preferable. On US News I found a list of “A colleges for B students.” most of the colleges on the list don’t match what I look for. Openness and diversity are important as well since I hope not to be marginalized.

SAT 1300 (not a great score, I know. Working on bringing it up)
TOFEL 100
AP Calc AB: 4
GPA: 3.9
Have been taking the highest level of classes the school offers

For extracurriculum, I don’t really have any “leadership” positions, save for being a Vice President at an astronomy club. I don’t plant to put that on the application because, sad to say, there isn’t a lot going on in our clubs.
Member of NHS. Tennis player.
mechanical technician at a local robotics team
Play the guitar for Music Ministry
Went on a mission trip to Haiti last year and plan to go back again
Did a Summer program at ND
Spend lots of time biking alone but that doesn’t really count or does it?
(I did a lot other things like volunteering, coding camp and whatnot, but I don’t feel like putting them on my application bc to me, they seem too generic and insincere.)

Some schools that are currently on my list are: Pitt, Colorado College, Barnard, Purdue, and U of Rochester, U Toronto.
.I wonder the likelihood of me getting into those schools. Just want to have a realistic check and save unnecessary application fees. :slight_smile:
Any recommendations or suggestions are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. :slight_smile:
Sorry this is such a long post! Thank you for your patience.

2

@stickpage4, If you don’t have dual citizenship or a green card, then you will be grouped with other international students at most (not all) schools. If you don’t need financial aid, then don’t apply for it. At most schools being full pay will be a plus.

Because small liberal arts colleges are by definition small, they don’t enroll too many international students. Statistics for international admissions are hard to come by, but as a very loose rule of thumb, international admit rates are about half of US admit rates. Wesleyan, which has relatively high percentage of enrolled internationals, is one of the few that posts clear statistics.

Other LACs that enroll a relatively high number of internationals are Swarthmore, Colby, Skidmore, Wellesley, Oberlin, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Grinnell, Dickinson, Clark, Wesleyan, Holyoke.
Again, other than Wesleyan, I don’t know the admit rate for internationals, but their enrollment numbers indicate interest. Barnard and Colorado College enroll about 10% internationals, which isn’t too bad. You could contact the schools directly to ask about their international admit rates.

Grades and scores are important at all academically rigorous schools. Your GPA is strong (if it’s unweighted). You should work on your SAT/ACT or ask your counselor to explain why it doesn’t align with your GPA.

There seems to be some interesting material in your EC/interest list, however, you’re going to have to present it better. You don’t want to fabricate, but you do want to communicate why you participate in their activities and what they mean to you. Why you like biking alone could make a good essay.

Being an international student can be an EC of sorts as well. Your background and life story can be an asset in admissions as colleges are looking for diversity in experience.