International student lost in the variety of options - which colleges should I choose?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi everyone:)
It's definitely the time to decide on my final college list. However, I have not had the chance to visit any campuses in the US and still do not know how I match up to certain universities with my stats. I would like to know if I have any chances in the schools listed at all - for me, going to the US would only make sense if I got into the top 25 US universities.
My intended major is business administration and/or marketing. I am looking for a college in an urban setting (but it's only a mere preference). My current school list is:</p>

<p>Boston College
Boston University
Emory University
New York University - Stern
Northeastern University
University of Miami
University of Michigan - Ross
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Pennsylvania (Early Decision) - Wharton
University of Virginia (Early Decision?)
Washington University in St. Louis
UCLA
Georgetown (Early Decision?)</p>

<p>I am in the 2nd best school in Poland, doing the IB program. The subjects that I am taking are:
Higher level: Geography, History, English B
Standard level: Math, Polish and Biology</p>

<p>GPA unweighted: 3.84(converted from Polish GPA)
SAT score: 2020 reading 670 math 660 writing 690
Retaking in Nov - going for 2200 (highly probable)
SAT II: planning on taking Biology and Math 2 in Oct</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars:
-attended over 10 MUN conferences, won best delegate twice
-deputy secretary general ("vice-president") during the organization of a MUN conference in my city (for 150 people from different countries); took care of the sponsorship, marketing strategy and debate content
-debate club president/the only one sent to international university debate tournaments from my school (Paris, Warsaw)
-organized a dance Flash mob for over a 100 people as part of a school project (which I won): over 100 000 views on YouTube, organized the whole event by myself
-a member of a dancehall group in Gdynia (my city); won 2nd place in a dance competition
-running; placed 6th in a run for 2km in Gdynia</p>

<p>Others:
-I studied in a US school for half a year (IB also) - I got straight A's and was in a top school in Florida, even though the system is completely different and I had no preparation
-completed a weekly summer business simulation program (Gdynia BusinessWeek), was chosen the CEO of company. Now in the Gdynia BusinessWeek association
-participated in a pre-college program at University of Michigan, Ann Arbour, with a business program that I placed 2nd in
-every year I go to camps in Spain to learn Spanish (language courses)
-Sales Associate at a MaxMara store in Gdynia for 9 months
-fashion runway model (participated in many local fashion shows)
-volunteer at a charity group in Gdańsk (over 100 volunteer hours)</p>

<p>+additionally, as a IB student I have to complete 200 hours of CAS (community, service, action)</p>

<p>I am white, my parents both have master's degrees.</p>

<p>Essay: I want to write about how the Model United Nations conferences changed who I am - how I have become a person who was frightened by challenges and risks, to a leader and organizator who almost single-handedly orchestrated a three day congress for over 150 students. </p>

2

<p>Do you need financial aid?</p>

3

<p>In addition to the financing issues. You can only apply to ONE ED schools.
You are just selecting schools out of a book, you need to refine your list and get back to us.</p>

4

<p>You can refine your list by identifying what you want in a school, in addition to prestige: large, small, urban, rural, suburban, etc. I’m wondering, for instance, why International Relations or Business isn’t part of your intended major, given your extroversion, language, IB, and business interests?</p>

5

<p>To a large extent your chances will depend on whether you are a full-pay student and whether you can get your SATs up. In addition, some of the schools on your list may not consider SAT scores from November if you apply Early Action, so you have to research that area thoroughly. In fact, you really need to do a lot more research. For example, Georgetown only has an Early Action option and while you can also apply to other EA schools, you cannot apply to any Early Decision schools if you apply to Georgetown EA (and the same is true for Boston College). In addition, Georgetown strongly recommends three subject tests, and you will only have two.</p>

<p>At Michigan, which has an EA option, you can apply to both the University and the Ross program. While you might get a University decision in December, you would not hear about Ross until much later.</p>

<p>Many of the schools on your list offer Early Action, including UVA, U Miami, Michigan, UNC Chapel Hill, Northeastern, Georgetown and Boston College. However, as mentioned before, I don’t know how many of them would consider SAT scores taken in November and right now, your scores are low for many of them (and if you need financial aid you will definitely need to get those scores higher). Finally, although they are excellent schools, neither Northeastern nor University of Miami is generally considered a top 25 school. </p>

6

<p>Thank you guys for all your replies!</p>

<p>No, I do not need financial aid.</p>

<p>Secondly, I have researched most of the schools. When it comes to Early Decision, I think I am going to go for UPENN, as this is the best school on my list and ED will increase my chances. I know how ED works, and I know I can apply to one school only. I am just still not 100% sure which school should I choose. </p>

<p>November scores are acceptable at UPENN ED :)</p>

<p>So, in conclusion, what do you think I need to work on the most in my application? SAT scores only? Are the ECs ok?</p>

7

<p>Additionally - jkeil91, yes, international business is on my list as well. However, if I were to choose marketing or business administration are more interesting for me. Thank you for pointing that out though :)</p>

8

<p>IMHO, as of now, you are very weak for Wharton, from a total prospect point of view. You need to bring that SAT to at least 2300 to be competitive. You may want to ED to another school, such as Stern, for that you have to love New York City and college without a campus.</p>

9

<p>If I were you, I wouldn’t waste an ED application at UPenn. </p>

10

<p>Thank you AnnieBeats and artloversplus!
Do you think I have any chances at Georgetown?</p>

11

<p>I would put UCLA higher on this list. You’d form a very strong network of people in SoCal… UNC would also be a great choice! </p>

12

<p>He won’t get into UCLA with that SAT score.</p>

13

<p>You need to reconsider your list of schools to apply to, as they are too reachy. Your SAT score is probably below the 25th percentile at most of these schools. International students are generally held to a higher standard rather than a lower one for admissions. The less selective schools on your list are BU, Northeastern and U. Miami. Some schools not on your list that you may want to consider - Tulane and GW.</p>