Hi everyone! I’m searching for colleges to apply RD. I’m an international student so the cost is quite a big problem. I can afford 35-40k/year at maximum. Preferably schools where I am most likely to receive some scholarship or likewise.
-Country: Thailand
-GPA 3.94/4.00
-Class rank: top 7% at class so that puts me in about 17/240. (However I’m in the school of aliens with admission rate around 2% in my country. Would admission officer consider that?)
-SAT 1460 (first time)
-taking SATII in December : Math II, Biology, Chemistry.
-Intended major: Economics/Finance
-ECs: Student Government. Organized an Olympiad tutoring program for juniors. Organized a very big inter-school academic competitions. School representative to international conference. Started school MUN club & Geography club. Wrote for School Newspaper. Community services including academic camp for under-privileged students in rural area.
-Academic: International Geography Olympiad-1st Alternate. 11th place on National Economics Competition. Did science research with university professor and participated in national science fair.
Some schools I already have in mind:
Columbia U (dream school)
NYU (dream school)
Wesleyan University
Clark University
Interested:
Wellesley College
Colby College
Skidmore College
Middlebury College
One more question is, should I retake SAT? I know 1460 is not so bad, but I think I could get it 1500+ the second time. Unfortunately I already registered for SAT subject tests this Dec.
Option A) change from SAT subject to SAT. Option B) Sit SAT subject and/or register for ACT
I really, really appreciate every single piece of advice. Thank you very much
1460~1500 isn’t much problem, so I would just leave it that. But it’s up to you if the cost isn’t problem at all.
35k~40k/year is actually pretty good! If you are an international student and can pay around 2/3 of cost of attendance, your chance of getting is close to domestic acceptance rate.
Although I can’t speak for Wellesley, Colby, Skidmore or Middlebury, I think you have an ok shots at your reach schools(Columbia/Wesleyan, NYU) as much as other domestic students. However, know that NYU is very stingy with aids IIRC. They do give merit scholarships, but it;s rare.
Since you are a female, I would also add Mount Holyoke college; that college is super big on diversity and female education, which you may be interested in. Kenyon college is also known for generosity to international students,so adding it to your list may be a good decision.
Lastly, for if all else fails, I would add Howard University and Univesity of Alabama-Tuscaloosa for scholarship. both have generous merit scholarship. Howard’s merit scholarship is quite generous. U Alabama , with your stats, will give you at least full tuition.
Thanks so much! I’m adding all of your suggestions to my lists. I don’t think I have much chance at Columbia but right now I’m really interested in NYU. May I ask if the admission process be much more selective for international students?
If Columbia and NYU are your dream schools, I suspect you’re going to be less than thrilled with Wesleyan, Clark, Colby, Skidmore, and Middlebury. None of those schools are in large cities. Even Wellesley, while close to Boston, is in a suburb.
Depends why Columbia & NYU are dream schools: could be that they are the most famous names, in a famous place, rather than the fact that they are urban v suburban or rural…
I would not be as sanguine that ‘NYU wouldn’t hesitate to accept you’ if you were full pay, but you aren’t, and NYU is one of the most expensive universities in the country, is not famous for good aid for domestic students much less internationals, so I would take it off your list.
What about Columbia makes it your “dream” school? if you can tell more about what you like about that school, other CC posters can help you ID schools with similar characteristics.
