My chances at Cornell and Johns Hopkins

<p>Greetings CC Community.</p>

<p>I am an international student and on the SAT that I took in October, 2010, I scored 2220. My score in the Critical Reading section is poor (650), fine in the Mathematics section (770), and probably exceptional in the Writing section (800). My extracurriculars are not stellar but I have won more than a dozen awards in debate and speech competitions, a few in mathematics quizzes, a few in writing competitions, and was the chief editor of the school year book in 10th grade. My SAT II test scores are 800 in Physics and 800 in Mathematics Level II. The school counselor's recommendation for me will at most be somewhat above average but the two teacher recommendations, I am convinced, will be decent enough. Also, I study at one of the most prestigious schools in the country (the school enjoys a fairly decent reputation among admission officers in the U.S. despite the fact it is situated in a third world nation) and my high school transcript is the best that the school has to offer, as far as my graduating class is concerned. Should there be anyone who wishes to lend a helping hand to the anxious and depressed student that I am, please comment on my chances to get accepted at Cornell, Johns Hopkins or any other selective school. I implore you to ease some of my anxiety by revealing to me your genuine opinions about my chances.</p>

<p>Are you seeking financial aid? I don’t think either is need-blind for Internationals so your ability to pay will affect the decision they make.</p>

<p>I am seeking aid. Will seeking financial aid considerably reduce my chances?</p>

<p>Yes, it will significantly drop your chances of admission, especially at JHU because they’ve only started leaning towards need-blind admissions for US students last year. With aid, you’ve got a very low chance at both schools. Otherwise, JHU would be a high match and Cornell would be a slight reach, but simply because you’re an international.</p>

<p>If you’re very dependant on schools to provide you with financial aid, don’t apply to these schools because you’ll either get rejected or get no aid at all.</p>

<p>Which colleges do you suggest that I apply? Are Vanderbilt and UC San Diego good matches for me? And will my mediocre recommendations be compensated for by superior grades?</p>

<p>UCSD will not give an international any aid and Vandy would be similar to JHU and Cornell, they give a few exceptional international students aid, but needing aid makes it hard.</p>

<p>Much depends on where you’re from. If the third world country you speak of is not well represented at US colleges, you could be of great interest to some. If it’s a country where many compete for the few scholarships available, it’s much harder and you need a good strategy such as applying to colleges where your stats put you at the top of the school’s applicant pool.</p>

<p>Is it possible for you to try a find a way so as not to seek aid? borrow money or something?</p>

<p>You guys have no idea what you’re talking about, COrnell University is need-blind to international students but does not promise to meet financial aid requirements.</p>

<p>As long as your essays are unique and reflective of who you are, then I’d say you have a pretty good chance of getting into Cornell. I can’t help you with JH, UCSD, or Vand. I’m not really sure how the admissions process works for international students, but if it is the same, you have a solid shot. My friends have gotten in with more mediocre stats than you possess. </p>

<p>Good Luck!!</p>

<p>@Cizzle: You are to be thanked for you have assisted me to some extent in assuaging my anxiety. </p>

<p>I am from Nepal and I believe Nepal is already among the best ten represented foreign nations in U.S. universities. If this statistic reduces my chances then there is little I can do about it. I study, however, in one of the top schools in the coutry; the school has, in the last decade, built quite a decent reputation among universities in the U.S. Also, I am ranked first in class and am taking the difficultiest available combination of subjects offered at school: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and General Paper (Cambridge A-Levels)</p>

<p>Well then I would say that you shouldn’t worry! ;)</p>

<p>None of the state schools are going to give you financial aid. A FEW will give merit money.</p>

<p>As for the few schools that do give need-based aid to int’ls…</p>

<p>YOU have to qualify for need based aid. You’ve mentioned before that your parents will only pay $10k. However, if the school looks at your parents income/assets and say that your parents can afford to pay - say - $25k, what will you do.</p>

<p>Wanting aid is not the issue…qualifying for aid is.</p>

<p>There is no possibility that my parents will be able to pay in excess on 10k. What is merit based money?</p>