<p>Thanks everyone. Your advice was of much help.</p>
<p>aurieme: I am staying on the waitlist of these colleges (just received a positive reply from the dean of admission at one of these colleges(:)))</p>
<p>linkinpark14: Thanks. I would be retaking ACT's if I take a gap year.</p>
<p>eslite: Thanks.</p>
<p>6rings/rlm919/paulfoerster: Thanks for the advise. I would be writing a more personal essay next time.</p>
<p>Northstarmom: I was a bit confused about the essays. My perception was that what I think should have told about who am I. I am planning to write another one and send that to these 3 schools.</p>
<p>Sibelius: Unfortunately, there's no safety school for int'ls requiring aid. The lowest ranked schools which provide aid were Grinnell and Lafayette(which rejected me).</p>
<p>Venkat89: Thanks for that link. Williams is need-blind in admissions for int'ls and Amhrest unofficially need-blind (their site said that they are planning to go officially need-blind from next year, but they are saying this since 2003). However, I read somewhere that students with little financial aid have more chances of getting in from waitlist. I am also planning to get my EFC up for next year.</p>
<p>ramakong: Thanks for the encouragement. I am also from UP(:)).</p>
<p>alinhappyland: As snooker said, I am in the British curriculum. We usually take 3 subjects, but I am planning to take more if I take a Gap year.</p>
<p>milki: Thanks, I'll soon write a essay on those lines and mail it these three schools who have waitlisted me.</p>
<p>snooker1: Thanks. I actually very much enjoy doing these EC's, that's why I am interested in a Gap Year(that would also help me financially). I am also planning to take more subjects in November. I would probably apply to Williams ED.</p>
<p>Intl student frm Nepal
Applied to 18 colleges. all rejections not even a single wait list
i graduated frm high school in 2006. Now that its pretty much sure i won't be goin to US this fall.</p>
<p>Would it be wise and wait another yr & apply for Fall 2008, will the gap year hav any negative effects</p>
<p>Switch, as long as you use the gap year productively, it will not be negative; however, you need to make up for the shortcomings for which you were initially rejected.
In this post, you did provide us with any relevant information to help you with ideas for applying in the fall. Without knowing the kinds of schools you applied to or your background and stats that you believe qualify you for these schools, it is impossible to recommend a course of action.</p>
<p>well I graduated from St. Xavier's college in Nepal
top 10% of graduating class
SAT I: CR 580 M 680 W 700 ( i guess it wasn't gd enough )
ECs: bit of everythin</p>
<p>"snooker, I believe one has to be either a citizen or a permanent resident (of USA) to apply for Early Admission. Anyone ? (I only looked at a few colleges that interested me, so correct me if I'm wrong)"</p>
<p>true</p>
<p>I immigrated to the US from india 2 weeks into second semester of junior year. My grades tanked for that entire year, and a few people on this board will understand when I say that to study for the Indian Institute of Technology - Junior Entrance Exam, you have to almost abandon 11th/12th grade study.</p>
<p>Let me just say this Abhi - don't prop up your application on stilts like that.
1)Mention all the things you have done matter-of-factly - don't blow them up
2)Thousands apply from India each year as international applicants. Most good schools have admissions officers who visit specific parts of the world and stay informed about the situation there. These people are the ones who will see your application - so don't talk about India - they already know everything
3) the focus of your essay should not be about each activity is separate paragraphs - write about how your experiences have shaped you and about also, maintain a theme throughout the essay. For example, i love computers, and I focussed my essay about the things I have done in this field, but without making me sound like a nerd (for I am not one, and an essay from the heart will convey that with no problems)
4) Get your essay proof-read by 10 different people if English isn't your strongest point - grammatical mistakes make you look incompetent, even though it may not your fault - some people are naturally not good with a language.
5) add extra material to your application. If the college website doesn't specifically say not to send in extra materials, send in all the certificates you have from all your extra-curriculars. Also, spend time and make a professional resume and send it in with your application. It will help.</p>
<p>oh, and people, in India, you don't get to choose classes.
Also, after 10th grade, you are forced to choose a line of study - engineering or medicine (mainly)
Engineering students study only Physics, Chemistry and Math
Medicine students study Biology also</p>
<p>It is my advice to all Indians applying that they should select the Biology line as this will educate you in all the major fields of science, something the colleges want</p>