<p>I realize that my chances for any one college are slim, but is it likely that I'll get into at least one! </p>
<p>I mean...my class rank is 2/140. I've consistenly come first in my class! (Girl who took my class rank away happens to have just come a year ago...she took straight As..got a GPA of 5.0/5.0 and took my position) I'm a member of EVERY society in my school. So I messed up one SAT! Is there no chance I'd get into at least one college?!</p>
<p>Oh...and James, I've given As level exams..and gotten straight As in them. I have to give A level exams the year I graduate from highschool!</p>
<p>greatguru, just wait and watch... u have a fair chance. No one here can really predict the admission decision. Suze, I know many ppl who got in UPenn, Stanford, Duke, etc. with <1400 SAT M+CR score as well as I know a person who got in ED Penn for class of 2010 with 1940 in SAT I, and that too without any so-called 'hook'. She definitely had great essays!</p>
<p>Ronty, where are you from? Looks like somewhere that might provide needed diversity.</p>
<p>Whenever I hear people make such claims, I'm pretty certain information is missing. Friends who havn't disclosed connections, no mention that they are urms (all are not recongized by skin tone), a friend that doesn't mention they play in a symphony on weekends......The fact is, there are very few non hooked aceptees with the stats you claim. Essays alone maybe get 5 kids in/yr. You're missing something if you know many.</p>
<p>I'm applying RD, and so far I have likely letters from Dartmouth, Duke and just today, Yale and Stanford. Merit money is a consideration so I need to see all acceptances before deciding. If money were not an issue, Dartmouth would be my #1 pick.</p>
<p>Ronty, perhaps you're seeing lower SATs because english is not the first language and because many in your country have overcome significant hardships. White/asian, non hooked mainstream US candidates need to be at about the school's 75%.</p>
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Oh...and James, I've given As level exams..and gotten straight As in them. I have to give A level exams the year I graduate from highschool!
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<p>Straight As in A levels is hella impressive! I know that MIT adcoms look at A level scores highly, and even offer college credit for them.</p>
<p>Are you applying to Oxford as well? You'd be a great candidate there as well. I personally belive you can do better than Dartmouth and Penn, and get into Oxford. Bright Pakistani kids like you can reach the skies :)</p>
<p>btw, suze is putting unneccessary emphasis over SAT scores, so what she says is indeed misleading, especially since the SAT has changed and data for New SAT hasnt been confirmed yet.</p>
<p>Those schools are stretches, sure, but then no one's a 'shoe-in' for Brown or Stanford. You have an interesting hook being from Pakistan, the schools will cut you some slack for the earthquake (just as they would to applicants in New Orleans) and it would be a great essay topic. Also, schools adjust SATs a bit for international students. To be frank, your extra-curriculars aren't very outstanding (they're solid, sure, but solid =/= interesting to a admissions officer), but students have gotten in with worse. </p>
<p>As for financial aid, if you're parents can not afford English schools then you're pretty much out of luck (it sucks, I know but English schools are horrible when it comes to that, they view foreign students as a source of income... dont get me started). You have to check your college's fin aid policies for dual-citizens, as I expect that each will vary slightly. But if you qualify for need-based financial aid, finances should be no problem with the quality of colleges you are applying to. The only way you should consider changing your nationality is if need-based federal financial aid is not given to dual citizens for some colleges. </p>
<p>As for SATs, they're not horrible right now but they aren't great either. If you think you can do better, re-take them. </p>
<p>I'd also recommend applying to some safeties (Boston College springs to mind when I look at your reach schools), but don't give up hope as you do have a chance.</p>