Hi guys so i am an international student who started preparing for application this spring. I know it’s really late for a senior but i moved to canada about a year ago so prior to that, i had absolutely no thoughts on applying to us universities.
I know my resume is not fancy as those of others but i just want to try my chances.
My grade 9 and 10 gpas are absolutely pathetic. I probably got about 3.0~3.4. But my gpa for g11 is 4.0 and i expect the same for grade 12. I may not excel in language but i am usually within top 2% for sciences.
I didn’t take any aps because i had no idea what they were and my current school only offers two. I am currently taking one ap calculus course.
I also have no fancy awards except ones from school and one english contest i won in a small city.
I took sat once and got 2200(cr 700 math 720 writing 780). In november, i am going to take two sat subject tests but i am not expecting rly good marks
My ec’s are:
Student council(g10-12)
Grad club(g12)
Legacy(g12)
Law club(g12)
Debate club(g11-12)
Helping seniors with alzheimer(g10)
Volunteer club(g12)
Link crew(g12)
Outside school dance club(g10-12, 6hours every week)
Pharmacy volunteer(g12, 5hrs weekly)
Creative minds(g12)
I have several ecs but i don’t think they rly count because i started them so late. I also moved school few times so i couldn’t continue with some of those activities.
So anyways, please don’t laugh but my selection for universities is:
University of michigan, georgia tech, JHU, ohio state university, purdue, fordham, amherst.
I know i have no chances of getting into some of these universities(esp 0%chance for jhu) but i still wanted to try…
Are there even distributions of reach, match and safety?
Do you guys have any advices/recommendations on my choices?
Your SAT score is very good. As long as you are taking the most rigorous course at your school, you will be fine. Also, schools like an upward trend! I think JHU, Amherst, and Michigan are reaches but not “out of reach.” Georgia Tech is also a very hard school to get into.
I recommend that you put your heart and sole into your essays and also explain to them your situation. You should have a decent shot.
Based on your SAT’s you have a pretty good shot. Your gpa is a little wishy washy, but if you can explain why you might have struggled with certain classes and explain how you learned from those struggles. If you have an upward increase in your grades then that looks good. Being in AP Calculus is something that colleges like to see, especially if you are considering an engineering or math related major. Work on your essays, keep up your grades, and explain any hardships and I think you will have a good chance. I would consider applying early decision/action to some of those schools as well to increase your chances.
Only my dad earns money. He works in a corporate and get paid about 100,000+ per year. Due to his age and instability of his work, i don’t think i can pay “full” price but some.
So Amherst is the only school on your list that (1) is need blind for internationals, so will not penalize you in admissions for needing aid, and (2) commits to meeting need (by their definition) for internationals. All the others with not do both of these.
May penalize you in admission, but meet need if they let you in - JHU
The rest will penalize you and do not meet need for internationals.
You can check to see if there are merit scholarships you are eligible for at the lower ranked schools on your list.
Full price for UMich is $55k to $60k per year and you will not get any aid there. Your SAT is with mid 50 and above average if not for CoE, but your GPA would be your major hurdle as they consider GPA to be more important.
