Hello guys, I am an international student from Ontario, Canada. I am an immigrant from South Asia.
SAT: 1600 , Essay 21
SAT Subject Tests - Math 2 (800)
Marks: Grade 9- I had a 86 average(I know that’s really bad. Forgive me). Top 15% in the grade
Grade 10- I had a 92 average. Top 3% in the grade
Grade 11-I currently have a 93 average at the end of first semester.
For grade 12, I am planning to take APs, but our school doesn’t offer many.( Also no IB in my school.)
EC And accomplishment- Top 7% in Waterloo Cayley math contest
Top 5% in Waterloo Fermat Math Contest
Paid Internship at a research laboratory.
Toronto Math circles
DEEP Summer Engineering Program by U of T
Various other science and math opportunities for high school students posted by U of T
A writer at a Toronto Raptors Fanpage
In school, I have been a part of math club, environmental club, f1, cricket team, soccer team.
1000 volunteering hours from School, Temple, Camps, Events, and more.
Recommendations: Math teacher: 10/10 Wrote about my passion and academic success in math
Science teacher: pretty generic 7/10
Math teacher: 10/10
Counselor: It’s okay 8/10
Research coordinator: 9/10
Essay: I believe I can write a really great essay on the impact of Math and Physics on modern world.
Intended Major: Math, Physics
Income: CAD 50K
Significant financial aid required.
U Chicago is need blind for Canadian students, as well as U Penn I think.
I am considering applying ED To Northwestern or Dartmouth, but can’t decide.
I also want to apply to Caltech, Uchicago for EA.
If these schools are too much of a reach please tell me which other schools I would have a better chance considering my financial situation. Any response is greatly appreciated.
I can’t tell you your chances, especially as an international. But I will note that Caltech requires one rec letter from a math or science teacher, and one from something like an English or humanities teacher. In general your app would be stronger at most schools if you can have letters from different core subject areas like that. Also, not all schools accept supplemental letters, and they aren’t always helpful in general. Only send what they allow per their websites.
A year by year GPA isn’t helpful – your overall class rank will be what matters.
Being “need blind” is not the same as “meets need”. As an international student, you will want to study the websites carefully to see what they say about meeting need for intls. There are only half a dozen colleges that meet need and are need blind for internationals. They are Amherst, Harvard, Princeton, Yake, and MIT. As you said, some schools may treat Canadians differently.
I’d say the main thing you should do is make sure you have options in Canada that you can afford and are ok attending, The acceptance rate for internationals at schools that will meet need for them is much lower than for US students (less than half the US acceptance rate, usually) and the competition is crazy. So apply, but have a solid backup plan.
I strongly advise against an ED application to any school you haven’t visited.
Have you published research or competed in international Olympiads? If not, then your chances at Caltech would likely be fairly low as an international applicant.
@helpfulalum I am preparing to take the exam next year for the Physics Olympiad.Would that be of any help. And also is there anything other than the ones you mentioned to help increase my chances. Thank You very much for your opinion. I really appreciate it
Financial aid is a privilege given to mostly US students because of the schools’ tax-exempt status. I’m not really sure how that will play out in your decision. However, your EC and recs/grades are strong. Hope for the best.
It isn’t as bad as if you were from Asia, but there are a limited number of scholarships for internationals and for Canada. So it isn’t certain you will get a scholarship at a more competitive school than say McGill. Your stats, etc. are really strong though, so I would go ahead and apply to top schools, as well as top 30 or so schools.