Indian applying to the top colleges in USA. What are the chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey, please tell what chances do I have into to going into the top colleges in USA.
I am currently in 11th.

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Composite Score-2050 Math-750 Critical Reading-650 Writing-650 (Writing again soon and expecting a better score)

ACT (breakdown): Not written yet but planning to

SAT II: Math-800 Chemistry-800 Physics-800

Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10% of my class

Grades in 9th - CGPA-9.4
Grades in 10th - CGPA-9.8
Grades in 11th - 86% (was concentrating on extracurriculars so my percentage dropped)
Grades in 12th - 95% (aiming for)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

Music : Successfully completed all 8 grades of Keyboard with a distinction. I have participated in many competitions winning many accolades and also given many stage performances in school and outside. I also reproduce and compose music. I also have a channel on youtube. I have also been part of my school’s Brass Band for 4 years, me being the lead Saxophone player.

Computer and Technology : I have successfully completed courses on web development (PHP and MySQL), web designing(Adobe Dreamweaver, HTML, CSS), Adobe Flash, Adobe Photoshop and Animation (3ds Max) (All certified by the World Multimedia Association). I also learn several programming languages (Java, Javascript, C, C++) myself with books and the internet. I also edit video and music, having participated in several movie making competitions. I have also completed the course of learning the Python programming language from school which is part of the CBSE syllabus. I officially develop Android apps and have developed 5 so far.

Sports : I had learnt Karate till the black belt and won several accolades securing the 3rd position in a national level for a Karate competition. I am also a very ardent basketball player and often play cricket, squash and football too.

Puzzles : Speedcubing is also a very ardent hobby of mine. I can currently solve the 2x2, 3x3, 4x4 and the 5x5 Rubik’s Cubes. I have participated in several national competitions in Dubai and have come among the top 20. I often play chess too.

Art and Dance : Have participated in several art and dance competitions in senior school and have acquired certificates.

Other : I have participated in the F1 in Schools competition and have gone till the national level. (i have a certificate for that too)

Job/Work Experience: Web development, app development and video and audio editing.
Volunteer/Community service: None yet
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Not written yet
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Applied for Financial Aid?: Planning to
Intended Major:Computer Science
State :
Country:Indian living in Dubai

I am planning to apply to Stanford, MIT, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Caltech and Purdue.

2

Bring up those test scores. As of right now,
Stanford- Reject
MIT- Reject
Harvard- Reject
UC Berkeley- Reject
Caltech- Reject
Purdue- Deferred

Can you be full pay at these schools? It would help for some.

3

@CaliCash What if I bring to SAT score to about 2250? What are your predictions then?

4

Most students with 2300+ are rejected. You need to have over 2300 just to be competitive with everyone else, otherwise it’s a lottery.

5

@NoVADad99 Ok got it, Thanks. Any other tips to increase my chances? Will taking the APs help?

6

I think you’re competitive with a 2250 or 2300

7

@hsstudent2015 Ok, got it. I just had a doubt, do you think taking ACT and APs will help?

8

Take as many APs as you can and if you think you’ll do better at the ACT try it. You’ll need a 33-34 on the ACT at least

9

@hsstudent2015 Will bad marks in APs decrease my chances or the admission officers will just consider the fact that I took them?

10

Your SAT is way below the line for all but perhaps Purdue and that is marginal at best.
You need to be looking at less competitive programs.

11

@soze What SAT score would you say is touching the line or above it so that I can improve?

12

For Stanford, MIT, Caltech and Harvard, even with a 2400 you would have <10% chance.

You seem to be fixated on hitting a particular score. That’s not how it works.
You need to realistically be looking at schools that are less competitive especially since you are at a big disadvantage as an international applicant. Go ahead and apply to these schools if you like, but do not have any expectations that you’ll be admitted.

13

Those SAT subject tests are a little low.

14

Speedcubing? :smiley:

Stanford- Reach
MIT- Reach
Harvard- nah, but you never know
UC Berkeley- If you are in California, then good chance
Caltech- low reach
Purdue- ??? what is this place?

But you should apply to CMU :smiley:

Edit: wait, nvm international is almost impossible for you

15

@paranoidandroid6 What do you mean?

16

@soze But do you think there is any way to at least bring my chances of going to Stanford like to 10%? I’m in 11th right now. I am planning to take the ACT and APs in Computer Science and Math and I am also planning to improve my ECs.

17

u can make it bro, all u need is a gud sat score and a gud 12th score and a gr8 essay which shows ur passion towards computer science all the best :slight_smile:

18

@maneendra296‌ Thank you :slight_smile:

19

Nope, you are not in range for Stanford. People who aren’t on this side of the world seem to be extremely hopeful but ill-informed. So, no amount of trying to juggle answers here and test scores is going to get you a 10% chance of admittance at Stanford.

Why?
Stanford is a reach for everyone!

Your initial SAT testing is at 2050 and your weaknesses are in the non-math area which means that English reasoning will be difficult to overcome.

You are a junior and think that you can make up AP classes for your last year. Most domestic students have already had multiple AP classes and have received their scores. They have more AP testing in senior year. You can’t compete with that.

You have no international awards.

You are an international and overrepresented student.

You need financial aid to attend.

Stanford is out of your league.

20

@aunt be a Then what colleges do you think I have a chance for?