I am a Bangladeshi rising senior. I would like to attend a selective LAC, but other prestigious universities also attract me. I have included Williams, Amherst, Northwestern and Uchicago on my college list thus far, but these are all reach schools for me. I intend major in economics and maths. I will need a lot of financial aid (almost full aid). Please suggest a few matches and safeties.
GPA: 3.95/4 unweighted
IB Classes:
Physics HL - 7
Chemistry HL - 7
Math HL - 6
Economics HL - 7
Bangla literature SL - 7
English Language and Literature SL - 7
SAT I: 1960 (650 CR, 600WS, 710 MR)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 740 Physics, 730 Chemistry (should I retake physics and chemistry?)
EC’s
Debate and MUN (a few best speaker/debater awards)
Environmental club at school for two years
I work in an organisation that arranges campaigns to raise awareness about environmental issues
I teach English language at a local school for street children
I started a school newspaper that highlights students’ academic and extra-curricular achievements
I will serve as advisor in the student government in Senior year
Used to play cricket for a local team
Co-founded a voluntary organisation the teaches computing skills to underprivileged children
On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest, I would rate my teacher recommendations 1 and my application essays 3.
Sorry for the big post. Thanks in advance!
Unfortunately, it is not a good thing to be an international student and need extreme financial aid because it is rarely granted for those students. As for your chances at a few of your universities: the GPA is solid. The SAT score, however, is not remotely close to being competitive. In my opinion, you should try and get it to 2200; I think that is a general consensus for a competitive score. Your SAT subject test scores are fine. Retake the SAT and don’t waste any more time on the subject tests. Your biggest flaw right now is the SAT score. Your ec’s are okay (I guess), but they lack leadership. By the way, as a general gripe (not about your application), why do people think it’s a good idea to list EC’s that they “used to do?” I could swear that that was frowned upon by college admissions because it shows that you really weren’t interested/devoted to it. You will need fantastic essays to overcome that SAT score, not 3’s (average essays will not be good enough). I would really work on your essays and studying for the SAT this summer to make sure that you have a chance to improve them and be competitive. As for now, in my opinion, all of your universities are very high reaches. In your current state, you are not competitive enough for admissions to any of those four universities. I would recommend checking out schools that will be more generous with financial aid as well because that will play a factor. I wish you good luck though.