HELP!How does this school list looks?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>First, here is a bit of my academic/personal info, submitted for your better judgement :)
(Actually I'm a bit ashamed of it, as everyone else on the site seems to have a splendid profolio)</p>

<p>GPA: 3.2 (Since I'm a student in one of the most competitive schools in China,it's especially hard to get good grades, usually our school will send a letter explaining this)
SAT:2300 CR770 MA800 WR730
TOEFL:114
FA needed: $30,000 at lest(I know..huge draw back)
ECs are mostly connected with graphic design & art.</p>

<p>Academic interest: Art&Art history(primary), cognitive science, literature.</p>

<p>School List ( which calls for your advices)
ED: Williams C
EA: Bard C</p>

<p>RD: Amherst C.
Swarthmore C.
Bowdoin C.
Vassar C.
Conneticut C.</p>

<p>I know this list may look a bit too advanced for my profolio, but it is deemed "practical" by most of my friends and teachers. Besides,a) I still hold a bit suspision for Williams as my ED school：I know this sounds stupid but -- I'm really not that sporty and I do want to fit in! b) I still cannot decide whether connecticut is too selective for safety school...</p>

<p>Advices please! Thanks for everyone who checks this out and/or reply ^0^</p>

2

<p>Your test scores are certainly good enough, and apparently your GPA is good enough too, but I’m curious if you have a class rank, which would help chance you. Honestly, it’s going to be difficult, especially being an international (from China especially), but I think that top LACs may be easier than ivies for someone with your resume. Also, I would definitely stress the art thing because it sets you apart, and try to put together a portfolio to submit as a supplement. Make sure that your essays are superb, because they will probably end up being the deciding factor. Good Luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks! Just a bit additional info: though 3.2 seems really low, a GPA like this will put me in the top 5%-10% of my class.Also, I do not worry too much about art suppliments.</p>

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<p>“Also, I do not worry too much about art suppliments”
What do you mean?</p>

<p>The class rank is definitely good enough, and it’s really important to chance you considering you’re an international.</p>

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<p>That none of your schools are need blind for internationals while you need $30K makes me hope you have a good safety in your country. You certainly may get into some but the competition from China is stiff and it’s probable all of these schools will have less money for internationals this year.</p>

6

<p>Williams and Amherst are need-blind, but otherwise I agree with hmom. Need will be an important factor. Some of the others aren’t even need-blind for domestic applicants, meaning money is tight.</p>

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<p>^Not for internationals.</p>

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<p>No, they are. I checked before I posted. :)</p>

<p>Williams has a 100% need-blind/no-loan admission policy for both domestic and international students.</p>

<p>[Williams</a> College | Admission | Info for International Students](<a href=“http://www.williams.edu/admission/apply_international.php]Williams”>http://www.williams.edu/admission/apply_international.php)</p>

<p>Amherst is need-blind for both domestic and international applicants.</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.amherst.edu/admission/financial_aid[/url]”>https://www.amherst.edu/admission/financial_aid&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I stand corrected. Are we sure they are keeping to this? Midd just went non need blind.</p>

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<p>“Also, I do not worry too much about art suppliments” means I’m confident of my artistic abilities – I’m not going to stand out like superyoung artist, but I do think the art profolio will add points.
Having a safety school in China is not realistic, as the judging system is completely different(which means you’ll have to prepare compeletely different stuff for it). Any good safty school reconmmends? Comparatively strong in art,literature, and have good FAs?</p>

<p>THANKS for everyone who replied!</p>

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<p>I don’t know their policies about international financial aid, but if you like Vassar and Bard I’d suggest looking at Sarah Lawrence and maybe Hampshire (this is Hampshire College, not the University of New Hampshire).</p>

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<p>I think you have enough reach schools already. Bard could be your safety. Conn College is your match. What you need is school (private LAC in your case) that would give you financial aid. You should look into more safety and match school. Since your scores are higher than other applicants in those school, you have better chance to get financial aids as international students.</p>

<p>I will suggest that you add Skimore College, Wheaton College, Trinity College, Macalester College to your list. Oh…you may want to add a SUNY school, Geneseo or Bingimton to your list. You may not get aid, but the cost is about 18K per year only. It is close to what you will play in private school after 30K aids.</p>

<p>Hope this will help. :)</p>

13

<p>kimkat - I’m certain you’re an excellent student. The challenge for U.S. adcoms is to understand your aspirations and your ability to achieve. In crude terms, “Why should we take a chance on you?” To the degree you can address this issue, the easier it will be go get that elusive financial aid package. JMHO of course. But I wish you well, and hope you make it to America. Good luck!</p>