<p>Parents can pay 10-15 lakhs, will apply for scolarship/need based(or merit) financial aid</p>
<p>Academics-(currently in 11th grade)
1.9th grade- stood 3rd in my school, topper in Maths
2.10th grade- CGPA 10</p>
<p>My reports have always been good, always gotten an A+ in every subject in high school.</p>
<p>ECs
1. Ramanujan Competition- A very prestigious maths competition held in Delhi, stood 3rd.
2. National Level spelling bee- qualified till top 15
3. Joined VMC coaching classes, qualified for their Regular Correspondence Course(left it later though)
4.Singer- Have got a certificate till 2nd year from Pracheen Kala kendra
5. NSO 2nd Level qualified in 11th grade
6.Got an extremely prestigious award in my school for exemplifying exemplary personality traits, given to only one student from the batch.
7. Volunteered for an internationally recognized NGO who organized a competition, in which my group stood first. Hence successfully implemented RTE in my school.
8.Represented my school in a state level spelling bee in class 9(state level=for all students of delhi)
9. Active Greenpeace campaigner- met the President of India on children's day(from my school) as part of a Greenpeace campaign to stop coal mining. Also met the Chief Minister.</p>
<p>What more extracurriculars can i try out? I know these aren't substantial enough.</p>
<p>SAT 1- Haven't given yet, expect a score above 2000 definitely.
SAT 2- Will give Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English
AP- won't give it.</p>
<p>P.S- I will definitely get favorable recommendations from teachers.</p>
<p>All I want to know is- how good are my chances getting into a top college? I'm not brilliant but I'm good, especially with Maths. But I want to pursue maths with a minor in astronomy. What are some colleges for which I have a chance of getting in?
What more can I do to secure an admission?</p>
<p>Okay. I am gonna be blunt. Great HS grades. If you are aiming at a top-notch college, go for a SAT score of about 2200. Remember, its just a number at end of the day. If the adcoms, you will make it to MIT with a 2000 ( its just an example ).
And. Making it to VMC RCC is an EC ? Seriously man, be creative. DON’T write this one under the EC section. Other than that, I guess you have good ECs. I am sure other members will give you more hindsight on that.
And no one can chance you, at-least not on CC. So just do the best you can.</p>
<p>Take the SATs, do well in 11th & 12th and for ECs just do what you think you are good at. If I tell you to start participating in debates as an EC - you probably won’t like it. So do more of what you like doing. Once you’ve gotten your SAT marks & school grades for 11th - come back in september-october and start a new chances thread. Also research on colleges in USA. MIT, Harvard, Stanford, etc. are not the be all and end all. If you want to do math - you should check out some LAC’s with great math courses.</p>
<p>Also, since you need a lot of fin aid – a word of caution, unless the applied college is need blind for internationals, you need to extremely extremely brilliant to get admitted!! So choose your colleges wisely!! All the best!! :)</p>
<p>Yeah that VMC thing was stupid I agree
I’m just really scared, you know. Some of my classmates have AMAZING extra curriculars, and they’re hiring professional counsellors to write their SOPs and stuff.
I just don’t want to go to those lengths. I will try my best, but I won’t shell out 30K for some stupid counsellor. It’s cheating- the colleges want to know me right?</p>
<p>But what else can I do, you know? ECs wise? And at what schools should I be looking at?
MIT is for absolutely brilliant people, I doubt I’ll have a chance there. A family friend got an AIR 10 in IIT and then he went to MIT. So it’s kinda impossible
I’m not looking for extremely high end colleges- though it’ll be nice if i get into one
Is there anything else I can do?</p>
<p>"“and they’re hiring professional counsellors to write their SOPs and stuff.”"</p>
<p>Don’t do that - that’s kind of cheating(colleges in USA strongly advice against this and some might take strict action if they find out!). And you are right - it is you they want to get to know. Though it would be good to get your essays and stuff checked and re-checked from an English teacher or a counselor or some mentor of yours!!</p>
<p>IIT rank has no correlation with MIT admissions - that is a fact. That said, it is equally hard to get into both - although the paths are different. Since you have another year left & academics seems to be your strength - participate in Olympiads(not the ones from Sofworld - the REAL ones). Other than that, you can find some like minded friends and participate in competitions such as Google Science fair & stuff - but, you need to WIN!!</p>
<p>Also use the summer to research on colleges. Make a comprehensive list - x safeties, 2x matches and x reaches (depending upon the time you have to apply & the money you are willing to spend!). Also check out which schools offer Intn’l aid. And do check out LAC’s.</p>
<p>Also – if you have the money, English has never been your forte and you want to go to the USA really really bad - I’d suggest take SAT prep classes because SAT will be a make or break with your stats!! :)</p>
<p>No no, you misunderstand. He applied for a transfer he didn’t apply directly to MIT.
Actually, you need to be brilliant to participate in those kinds of olympiads. Not like I didn’t try- I just couldn’t qualify
I have the money, but I’m good at English anyway, my SAT is tomorrow, so not a lot of time,huh? </p>
<p>pertaining to international students, what exactly do the big-name universities look for?</p>
<p>Ohh, if he transferred – then the fact he got into IIT would sit well with any college adcom!! :)</p>
<p>Well – I know Olympiads are damn damn tough. But then academics seemed to be your strength, so that’s the only well renowned EC pertaining to academics. If you have some other passion, pursue that instead – cause honestly your EC’s need a bit more punch if you intend to apply to the top universities!</p>
<p>The main thing top universities look out for is how unique the applicant is. It is not all about SATs & GPAs because almost every other applicant has those. They are looking for students who will add something different to their campus and at the same time blend in with his/her peers!!</p>
<p>Hmm, well I’m thinking about volunteering at some local NGOs-honestly, I love community service. I haven’t done stuff officially, but I’ve taken time out to teach my neighbour’s maid english and hindi :)(and other things like that) though i know i cant mention that on a college application.
anyway, i think i’ll try for olympiads-though i definitely have no chance
i’ll have to have amazing SOPs and essays then</p>
<p>Yeah that’s a good idea. Using it in my essay.
Btw do you have any links for sample essays and SOPs? It’ll be great if they’re written by Indian students.
Uhh, about the quizzing thing-our school is really biased and stereotypical.They send the ‘usual’ quiz club people for quizzes, so it’ll be a miracle if I get selected for even one.Moreover, they never take girls.
Isn’t there something I can do outside school? I am a member of Mensa, but mentioning that on a college application makes you look vain and conceited, so I don’t wanna do that.</p>
<p>No harm in trying to get selected for the quizzes. And Google science fair maybe?
It is really up to you to explore and show interest in what you like. </p>
<p>Also “they never take girls” – prove that you are good enough and then use that as another essay - on how you overcame being stereotyped!! Haha!!</p>
<p>Do a google search for sample essays - Allen Grove on about.com has some good advice!! :)</p>
<p>The VMC thing. Sure it’s competitive, but isn’t worth mentioning. I can’t chance you as i’m going to apply too. But overall you look like an academic person. Try to get a few more ECs and you are a strong applicant.</p>
<p>Which major will you be applying for?</p>
<p>P.S- Looking forward to competing with you next year! :P</p>
<p>Do you have any interesting projects?? any ideas…If you do work very hard on them till you get to something substantial. Or you can try the Indian way of doing things:)
The Internationally recognized Olympiads.
(btw…I don’t think SOF will give you much of an edge…everyone in my school qualifies)
Or try and put your research into music… weird is what these adcoms are looking for :P</p>
anyway, my SAT is tomorrow, so not a lot of time,huh? </p>