<p>I know quite a few and certify that the above information is extremely biased and exaggerated <_<
(no offense)</p>
<p>I’d second gary7, also having known people who got into Harvard. I also question why Harvard is seen as the gold standard of American admissions. Granted it’s the oldest university and so on, but there are several people who get into Harvard without being an absolute genius, a legacy, extremely eccentric (there are schools that would appreciate that, but I doubt Harvard is one of them) or brilliant at sport. Harvard would most appreciate you though, if you were stellar academically and distinguished yourself in your school, city or country in some field or the other. From India specifically, they love highly rated Squash players and have recruited a few from Bombay in the past decade that I know of.</p>
<p>Ah, if getting into Harvard was just about SAT scores and GPA, there would’ve been thousands of Indians in there. As far as I know, essays are very important (for some universities/colleges like MIT and Harvard, alumni interview also plays a significant part.). And the international pool for universities/colleges that are need-blind for international students (Ivy League universities, MIT etc.) is very large. There are hundreds applying to such universities.</p>
<p>If you have enough financial resources, apply to some universities (including public universities) that do not provide FA to international students (along with those who are need-blind for internationals). They love internationals who pay full tuition. :D</p>
<p>A good university (if you have enough financial resources) would be Stanford. Stanford is not need-blind for international students, however, internationals can apply for FA. But the sad part is, Stanford’s endowment dropped by around 5 billion dollars in the last few years and hence they’re reluctant to squeeze out more $_$ for international students. They even reject highly qualified international applicants who demand FA.</p>
<p>So basically, scores are not just the deciding factor for admission. Essays, recommendations, demand for aid (unless you’re applying to universities which are need-blind for internationals), nationality/geographic location and ethnicity (most of the universities DENY (if you thoroughly read their brochures) that they discriminate on the basis race/nationality/geographic location. This is a sugar-coated statement. Perhaps an Asian will not be at a disadvantage (because of his/her race and being an ORM), but a black kid will definitely have an advantage even if he/she has above average scores. Hispanics/Latinos/Blacks have generally lower median SAT scores/GPA.</p>
<p>hahaha I was definitely exaggerating and kidding!
That is in fact a running joke among a few of my friends who go to Ivies, but it is a JOKE.</p>
<p>@smit5292, asians (that includes us brown ppl) are ALWAYS at a disadvantage at any of these top schools. We have to work harder to stand out. thats it, but i agree with everything else you say… one prblem abt stanford though( i know i applied SCEA) got rejected, didnt need FA, is that IT is highly eccentric in its admissions policies. They pick the best ofcourse, but their definition of best is difficult to define. Lower qualified students than me who were white.(so no race factor) got in, but i didnt, im not complaining im just saying stanford is highly unpredictable.</p>
<p>After reading the “You know that You’re a Smithie” thread, it appears that some of these elite schools PREFER lesbians.</p>
<p>@indiansaudi:</p>
<p>Exactly! We have a disadvantage! :(</p>
<p>HYPSM is highly unpredictable and I agree with your point.</p>
<p>It is always tougher for international students to get into these universities.</p>