Help!! I just need somebody(to accept me ;)) ... Help!!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi
I am from India. I want to do a major in Neuroscience and Computers. Do I have a chance at Dartmouth, Stanford, Amherst, Williams, Brown and MIT??
I am sure my essays are going to be fantastic. Why? I gave them 1.5 years of thought. My recs are in the process now ... they'll be top-notch too ... my Physics teacher loves my research on neural networks and my English teacher for my recent play. So ......... CHANCE ME!!! As accepted or rejected. And also do mention some safety schools if all my given schools appear ridiculously out-of-reach. Thanks in advance. </p>

<p>My Profile ---</p>

<p>Grades ---
94% in Class 10
90% in Class 12
Courses are really really tough ... eg, we got Quantum Mechanics in Physics and Combinatorics in Maths .. so that really tough (at least I think so ....)</p>

<p>SAT ---
SAT I - 2360/2400
SAT II - 2340/2400</p>

<p>ECs ---
I am a recognized poet and writer
Won International Students Quality Circle
Research paper on fuzzy circuits and iridium satellite, neural networks
Led Save Tigers Campaign
Made a short film
Nationally recognized essay on Modern Education, play on Culture
Member of Quiz, Debate, Drama, Science Club at school</p>

<p>Sports ---
Did advanced Rock Climbing and mountaineering for many years
I don't play but I give classes to the local football team about dynamics and stuff to help them understand the physics behind the football</p>

<p>Music ---
Member of School band. Sing and play the guitar
I also *teach singing and guitar *</p>

<p>Social Service ---
Member of Lions Club
Volunteer work of 300+ hours
Did all sorts of Environment activities **with Green Peace
Supervised the **micro-credit system in local villages
Did classes for adults and kids, the underprivileged.
Helped village people sell their cottage goods.</p>

2

<p>Dartmouth, Stanford, Brown, MIT: You have a chance, but these schools get far more qualified applicants than they can accept so keep that in mind.
Amsherst, Williams-you should get in, that's my opinon.</p>

<p>As for safty schools for you to apply to you should really look into St. Lawernce University in Upstate New York. Here you will find and Ivy education, with great faculty that aids in student research, and has the programs you want. SLU is an amazing school. PM me if you would like more information.</p>

3

<p>Adravit, I was myself a CBSE student till class 10th before I came to Singapore on a scholarship... Despite being a noob myself at US univ admissions, here goes... The thing is, that when we are back in India, we have this wrong idea that the Indian courseload in super-a-lot; I personally came to Singapore with the idea that it's gonna be easy *****, but frankly, it's similar, if not tougher than the Indian curriculum. Your SAT1's awesome, though, retaking your SAT2 wouldn't be bad. And... the 90% isn't really a big deal... half the applicants are 90% plusses... so yeah... it doesn't really life you up either... Now, again... your list of ECs, like every other Indian, is a laundry list of a lot of activities (check my thread out; should be on the first page for my EC list). You have drama, debates, soccer, research, community service, music and in short, everything.. but why did you do all of it...? for me, math and drama are my passion, and that's what i worked really hard for... soo, focus on things you really worked intensely for (and if needed, leave out some not-so-important things...!) i guess... your focal point is community service, so show it...! Again, (lol, i hate saying this again) like all of us Indians, it's the top tier you aim for, so format and structure your apps carefully... Work on fantabulous teacher recs (shouldn't be too difficult from India) and good essays and you should be okay!</p>

<p>PS: CBSE 12th results already out...? And shouldn't you have already applied then? Or is the 90% an arbitrary value?</p>

<p>PPS: Just curious... where in India are you from...? (I was from Delhi) :)</p>

4

<p>oh yeah... btw... my thread does say a lot of stuff about safety schools... i guess you could draw a lotta parallels between both our stats (except that my SAT1's like damn low compared to yours!)</p>

5

<p>Hey buddy ... feels good talking to a fellow guy ...feels family!!! I am from Kolkata. I have taken a gap year to further my neural networks research work. I am really passionate about my research in science and thats my strongest point. My international award in Quality Circle is as far as I know pretty unique and thats why I brag about it. Well, I dunno how to focus my ECs maybe you could help. My rock-climbing does set me apart, doesn't it??? ummmm ... ya i did a lot of green community service.
Even your ECs run for pages!!! What about that??
Reply .........</p>

6

<p>Great SATs, tough courses, but like 100%Tuna said, over half the applicants to the schools you mentioned will have 90%+ as scores--so you are going to have to improve the grades (or show that they are in super, super tough classes) to have any chance at the particular schools you listed.</p>

<p>Best of luck, though--and do like advit and pick some safety schools also.</p>

7

<p>Ok ... Safeties --- St Lawrence University, Dickinson College, Grinnel College .... but are these competent enough?? Jo opportunities?? Financial Aid??? Any more safeties ......</p>

8

<p>Good--You'll get into all of those in my opinion. Now what are your "match" schools--since Dartmouth, Stanford, Amherst, Williams, and Brown don't fall into that category.</p>

<p>And what do you mean competent enough? All of those schools rank among the top 30 liberal arts schools in the country.</p>

9

<p>I don't know .... Aren't Amherst and Williams matches? Ilove Dartmouth particularly but I am concerned about the job opportunities after I complete my undergrad .... What do u think should be matches for me??? UChicago?? Now don't thrash me again .... I didn't and don't mean to under-respect any school ................ but financial aid??????? Please advice ...........</p>

10

<p>I met with the head of the Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies Program. I didn't know Macalester is a national leader in neuroscience education. I thought it looked like a great place and not just another program.</p>

<p>The above is from the Macalester forum. It could be a good safety for you, and Macalester is an excellent LAC.</p>

<p>You sound like a focused, hard working kid who will shine wherever you land! Good luck!</p>

11

<p>Macalaster doesn't give aid ... so I won't be able to go .... too bad!!!</p>

12

<p>More replies please!!!!! 100 visits and just this many replies??? Come on people!!!</p>

13

<p>I think we need more information about what level of aid you need. Do you qualify for need-based aid, or are you seeking only merit$? </p>

<p>That said, have you looked at UW-Madison? U Washington?</p>

14

<p>Ivies are never not a reach, but I'd say you have a shot.</p>

<p>Amherst and Williams are both very selective schools, so though you might be a match in stats I would still place them both in the "reach" category, unless you find the cure to cancer in the next few months.</p>

15

<p>one of my mates, got the second highest score in all of India for his year 12 board exams. He got around 97 in his ISC...was editor of school paper and magazine, had a few awards...2250+ on his SATs...5 5's on APs (though they werent part of his curriculum) and 800s in 5 SATIIs...and he didnt make any of the top US universities.
competition is hard, very hard from India, but you have to just show them that you are passionate about other things in life, and that u dnt let them interfere with your academics.
u do have a chance for Stanford and MIT, just like 100%tuna, but its hard.
btw, not to burst ur bubble, but i personally don't think that Rock Climbing isnt going to set u APART. if you have a heap of sports that you are involved with, or a heap of comm service activities, then yes it might, but not with just one.
good luck</p>

16

<p>hey man thats frightening!! I mean .... so how does one go about showing passion??? The essay right??? So I write in my essay the things that mean most to me ... but it has meant a great deal lot t other people also in the past ... i m pretty concerned about how science is mistakenly thought of something done only for intellectual purposes and having no practical uses .... how abou that as an essay topic??? Pretty stale??? Or pretty damn good???</p>

17

<p>OK .... Ivies == dreams .... I get it! So .... what about my safeties and matches?? Anybody have any idea about that?? See my stats and advice me on my safeties and matches please!!</p>

18

<p>I do qualify for need based aid .... 100% ... thats what CollegeBoard thinks ... well merit aid I don't know .... I may not have the cure to cancer but I sure will finish my replication of the human eye based on fuzzy logic and neural networks ..... Ivies impressed?????? Amherst floored??? What say??</p>

19

<p>macalester does give financial aid to admitted international students, although the school is not need-blind in international admissions.</p>

20

<p>Here is info I found on a financial aid web site:</p>

<p>"...Another key consideration is the number of international students on campus. If there are very many international students on campus, the school is more likely to be sensitive to the needs of students from other countries. On the other hand, you are less likely to receive financial aid at such a school. The schools with the greatest number of international students are listed below in alphabetical order. If a school is listed in italics, it gives financial aid to more than 50 international students each year. </p>

<p>Arizona State University - AZ
Boston University - MA
Brigham Young University - OH
Columbia University - NY
Cornell University - NY
Florida International University - FL
George Washington University - DC
Harvard University - MA
Indiana University at Bloomington - IN
Iowa State University - IA
Michigan State University - MI
New York University - NY
Northeastern University - MA
Ohio State University - OH
Pennsylvania State University - PA
Purdue University - IN
SUNY Buffalo - NY
SUNY Plattsburgh - NY
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale - IL
Stanford University - CA
Texas A&M University - TX
UCLA - CA
University of Florida - FL
University of Houston - TX
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - IL
University of Maryland at College Park - MD
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - MI
University of Minnesota - MN
University of Pennsylvania - PA
University of Southern California - CA
University of Texas at Austin - TX
University of Wisconsin-Madison - WI
Even though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) doesn't appear on this list, it deserves special mention. International students represent 37% of the MIT graduate student population, and more than 20% of the overall student population. </p>

<p>Although the schools listed above have many international students, the inclusion of a school in that list might result more from the large size of the school than a special emphasis on international students. The schools with the greatest proportion of international undergraduate students are listed below. If a school is listed in italics, it gives financial aid to more than 50 international students each year. </p>

<p>United States International University - CA
Florida Institute of Technology - FL
New School University - NY
Clark University - MA
American University - DC
Andrews University - MI
University of Tulsa - OK
Illinois Institute of Technology - IL
Eckerd College - FL
Macalester College - MN
Bennington College - VT
Ohio Wesleyan University - OH
Mount Holyoke College - MA
Howard University - DC
George Washington University - DC
Beloit College - WI
University of San Francisco - CA
University of Miami - FL
University of Denver - CO
University of Southern California - CA
Stevens Institute of Technology - NJ
Knox College - IL
Georgetown University - DC
California Institute of Technology - CA
Bethany College - WV
Washington College - MD
University of Oregon - OR
Tufts University - MA
St. Andrews Presbyterian College - NC
Smith College - MA
Randolph-Macon Woman's College - VA
Pepperdine University - CA
Middlebury College - VT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MA
Drexel University - PA
Dartmouth College - NH
Carnegie Mellon University - PA
Bryn Mawr College - PA
Grinnell College - IA
College of Wooster - OH
The states which are most popular with international students are Massachusetts, California, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Illinois, Texas, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Vermont, Minnesota, Maryland, and Iowa. </p>

<p>If the school offers rolling admission, there is less deadline pressure on the international student. Schools with rolling admission accept applications throughout the year and review the applications when they are complete. You still need to submit the applications in a timely fashion, but the extra flexibility can be helpful with delays caused by the postal system. Most schools, however, have fixed deadlines and mail offers of admission between March and May."</p>