International Student Chances (unique stats)

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hello all! I'm an international student from Finland, wanting to apply to college in the US fall of 2010! I have quite a unique secondary school situation so I was hoping I could get some opinions on the schools I want to apply to, and my chances. </p>

<p>Basically, I was born in Finland, but lived in the US for 11 years. I graduated high school there in 3 years (skipping senior year) because my parents wanted to move back to Finland. Now the past 2 years I've lived in Finland and attended an International Baccalaureate high school. SO... my stats in total are:</p>

<p>US High School=
GPA: 4.0 unweighted
Rank: 1/175
ACT: 33 composite, but will retake with goal of 35
Courses: (since I left before senior year I didn't get a chance to take AP courses) but I took a college prep/honors program
ECs: marching band (3 years) section and squad leader, symphonic band 1st chair (3 years), tech crew for musical, National Honors Society (4 years), French Honors Society, 2 district art awards</p>

<p>Finland high school=
IB courses
English A1 HL: 7
Economics HL: 7
Psychology HL: 7
French B SL: 6
Biology SL: 6
Math SL: 7
150 service (CAS) hours: French exchange program, translating service, school newspaper articles, etc.
TOK essay and EE not graded yet, but expecting at least one bonus point = 40-43/45</p>

<p>Basically, my dream school would be Brown University. I'm also really interested in Barnard and Wellesley. Since I'm an international student, I know most schools aren't exactly generous in handing out aid... but my family's contribution would be very small, like under $5000/year. So I guess my question is: considering the fact that I'm an international student, does this lower my chances of being accepted at top schools? I have good grades, but do I have enough ECs? I consider myself a good writer so I don't think I'll have a problem with the application essays. :) General opinions and comments are VERY welcome! I just don't want to wind up in a situation where I apply to all top schools and overestimate my skills, and get rejected from all, or can't afford them. Thanks so much for the help!!!</p>

<p>EmmaK.</p>

2

<p>Are u American citizen?</p>

3

<p>Do you have a green card/US citizenship? (since you lived here for 11 years, though if you haven’t returned annually your GC may be void) If not, then asking for aid at those three schools (which AFAIK are not need-blind for internationals) is going to lower your chances. There are a few US colleges that are need-blind for internationals though.</p>

<p>You will be evaluated with reference to the context of a Finn. More intensive involvement in ECs will help, but how much can depend on how big ECs are in Finland.</p>

4

<p>I’m a Finnish citizen. I know my grades aren’t extraordinary, but I just want to know whether or not I should even apply! My family’s broke, and I would hate to waste money on applications and then get denied from all… so I guess the admissions is just really tough for internationals, huh? But I know that if I had applied to college right after I graduated high school, I could’ve gotten accepted at great schools! Because I did! Before I moved back to Finland, we were going to move to Canada and I got accepted to McMaster University… and I also applied to some other places and got in. Now it feels like the 2 years of IB in Finland have hurt my chances more than help, right? My other choice is Britain, so I’m guessing it would be much better to go there, then. Thanks for the help!</p>