Insecure about College Admission

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am an international student who is currently applying as Undergraduate for 2011.</p>

<p>My intention is to major in Aerospace Engineering either at:</p>

<p>Stanford University, or;
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or;
California Institute of Technology.</p>

<p>Notwithstanding, I am a little bit worried about my chances of admission.</p>

<p>My current SAT scores are:</p>

<p>SAT I - CR 590 / Math 780 / Writing 610
SAT II - Physics 800 / Math 2 800</p>

<p>Also, I got 105 on the TOEFL iBT.</p>

<p>I am a private pilot (fly single-engine airplanes), but besides that I have never been enrolled in other extracurricular activities since my school was very focused on academic matters only.</p>

<p>I also plan to retake the SAT I on December 4th in order to improve my CR and Writing scores.</p>

<p>As the application deadline gets nearer, I feel insecure whether I can expect reasonable chances of getting accepted by any of the universities mentioned above. </p>

<p>Hence, I would be pleased if you could enlighten me with some information regarding acceptance probability and give me some advice.</p>

<p>Sincerely,
Sandro Rodrigues</p>

2

<p>Caltech, at least, is very difficult for internationals who need financial aid. I think MIT is the same. Your math and SAT scores are obviously fine. All you can do is apply and wait and see. I do hope you have a backup plan. Definitely try and get your other scores up. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>"I feel insecure whether I can expect reasonable chances of getting accepted by any of the universities mentioned above. "</p>

<p>You have the mathematical ability to analyze the accept rates for these three universities. Who on earth shouldn’t feel insecure about their chances?</p>

4

<p>SAT scores are not fine for those schools. Will definitely need to retake or have a plan B.</p>

5

<p>Please retake your SAT’s. That 580 does not look good. Aside from that keep working on your app and they might be reaches.</p>

6

<p>Thanks all for your contributions. I’ve been studying for the SAT in order to improve my Verbal score. I’ve already signed up for the December exam, and maybe there will be a chance of taking the January one too.</p>

<p>Regards,
Sandro Rodrigues</p>

7

<p>The best, and possibly most enjoyable, way to prep for verbal would be read, read, read! I have heard the editorial section of the NY Times is an excellent way to increase your reading level. Some grammar would probably rub off on you, too.</p>

8

<p>*Your math and SAT scores are obviously fine. *</p>

<p>??? Why would you say that? His M+CR score is a 1370. That is low for those schools.</p>

<p>Do you need financial aid? If not, then you should apply to some schools that will accept you with your stats?</p>

<p>If you need financial aid, then it’s doubtful that you’ll get accepted to the schools that give need-based FA to int’ls.</p>

9

<p>actually, that should have said SAT II scores…</p>