Please help an international student pick a college?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi :) I'm an international student (12th grade) from Bangladesh. Alongside trying for public unis in my own country (some of which are just as competitive as the Ivies!), some of my friends suggested that I consider applying to some American universities for Fall 2010. I'm looking for a 4-year undergraduate program and will definitely return to my country afterwards!</p>

<h2>EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS</h2>

<p>I haven't taken the SATs yet. I've 10 A's - the highest possible grade - in the British GCSE system (end of sophomore year), 5 A's in the A levels (11th and 12th grade; equivalent to the AP, I think). Even though it's one of my weaker subjects, I really enjoy maths, so I'm taking a Further Maths course this year. I'm ranked 1 in my class out of 40. Students from my school have previously gone to MIT, Brown, Smith and Amherst. To compare, I'm pretty much on par with them... </p>

<h2>ECAS</h2>

<ul>
<li>Debate club president at my school. I run workshops and train our junior debaters because we've never, ever had a coach.</li>
<li>Ranked 1 of the top-10 school-level debaters of Bangladesh.<br></li>
<li>Convener of the largest school-level English debating tournament</li>
<li>My poetry has been published in several national dailies and in online magazines abroad, and I'm considering publishing my own book. </li>
<li>I really love working with children, and I teach a group of disadvantaged young domestic workers at a well-known charity. I'm also the Student Coordinator of the Duke of Edinburgh award at my school. </li>
</ul>

<p>There are lots of more bits and bobs in my resumes, but that should give a picture of my passions :) I've been told (by reliable sources) that --if I do well in my SATs--, I should try for some of the Ivies or top Liberal Arts colleges. </p>

<p>However, I'm completely lost in this regard. I don't know what schools could suit me; I want to study social sciences - like economics, sociology, political science. Things that'll help me do something constructive for my country :) :) </p>

<h2>HOW DO I KNOW WHAT COLLEGE IS RIGHT FOR MY PERSONALITY?</h2>

<p>I'm quiet and introspective. Although I like to challenge myself (I used to be an unbelievably shy person until I started debating in 08) and meet new people, I still prefer making few but meaningful relationships. I work hard, but I'm very laid back. I love nature, kids and having thinking space. My friends describe me as spacey and quirky in a quiet, childlike way. I love dinosaurs, sunshine, singing the Beatles. I want to be stimulated and shaken. I want to grow :) :)</p>

<p>Any help and advice would be much, much appreciated. I'm a complete rookie regarding these matters, and won't be heartbroken if you guys think that I don't have a chance at the top US schools (I've heard they've gotten insanely competitive for internationals since the recessions). Something always works out for everyone :)</p>

2

<p>A lot of the colleges that would suit you are in places that have really cold and snowy winters. Are you ok with cold and snow?</p>

3

<p>We have our own mechanical dinosaur in the science building! ;-)</p>

4

<p>What online magazines? I’d really like to know… oh, have you seen Reed College? Quirky describes it very well.</p>

5

<p>The biggest question for an international: Do you need financial aid? If yes, about what percentage of cost of a $50K plus college?</p>

6

<p>@Hmom5: Well, I’d need a lot of financial aid :S My parents can pay around $5-10k. I don’t think public unis offer much/any financial aid to internationals. So I’m pretty much looking for a private uni… :)</p>

7

<p>@Sushmita: I haven’t heard much about Reed; I do know that a friend of a friend got in last year!
@Schmaltz: I’m fine with cold and snowy winters since I grew up in Scotland. I don’t like niggling, damp weather much… the kind that gnaws at your bones :S :S
@lynxinsider: What college is that? :slight_smile: :)</p>

8

<p>Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. It’s an old broken-down Pentaceratops that came from one of the local museums. It sits in the lobby of the science building.</p>

9

<p>Schools with “thinking space”: Williams, Dartmouth, Bowdoin, Oberlin, Kenyon, Miami (Ohio), Indiana University, Colorado College, Grinnell.</p>

10

<p>I do think we’ll need your SATs, and even then it will be hard to guess your chances, due to your needing financial aid; competition is intense in this situation.</p>

11

<p>Schools that are need blind to internationals:</p>

<ol>
<li>MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Massachusetts</li>
<li>Harvard University in Massachusetts</li>
<li>Princeton University in New Jersey</li>
<li>Yale University in Connecticut</li>
<li>Williams College in Massachusetts</li>
<li>Middlebury College in Vermont</li>
<li>Dartmouth College in New Hampshire</li>
<li>Amherst College in Massachusetts</li>
</ol>

<p>Source: [Schools</a> Awarding International Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.internationalstudent.com/schools_awarding_aid/]Schools”>Schools Awarding International Financial Aid)</p>

<p>Also, check out the PDF Summary or Excel Document from Doug Thompson found at this site: [Library</a> : Overseas Association for College Admission Counseling](<a href=“http://new.oacac.com/library/]Library”>http://new.oacac.com/library/)
6. Middlebury College in Vermont
7. Dartmouth College in New Hampshire
8. Amherst College in Massachusetts</p>

12

<p>Your personality is not as big a factor as you seem to think. All of the top colleges try to accommodate a range of personalities; that’s part of what diversity is about. The problem is going to be getting the financial aid that you need.</p>

13

<p>I agree with Vossron, without scores it’s nearly impossible to say. The schools that are need blind to internationals will take maybe 2 from your country each year. You will have to be very competitive among the many other applicants with very high scores and a great communication of your debate honors.</p>

<p>Other schools don’t have a lot of money for internationals right now. You may or may not get enough from one to attend, and it may take going lower (quality wise) than would make sense as compared to your opportunities at home to get enough to come.</p>

14

<p>@greennblue, I think the OP wants to find a college that suits her personality… (As in, she’s trying to figure out where she’ll thrive the most.)</p>

<p>And yes, we definitely need your SAT scores.</p>

15

<p>Whats your expected SAT score?</p>

16

<p>Oh…by the way…are you from Scholastica?</p>

17

<p>I would check out the small liberal arts colleges (LACs) which, dispite the name, have excellent math departments. Those in the midwest actively recruit internationals and Asians are underrepresented minorites, unlike on the coasts. Grinnell, Oberlin, Carleton and Macalester come to mind. Grinnell has a huge endowment which is uses, in part, to recruit internationals. </p>

<p>Your SATs will be important, so good luck.</p>

18

<p>@M’s Mom: I’ve been thinking about Grinnell too. I requested info from them and they’ve been really good about mailing me and all :slight_smile: I’m also considering Smith.</p>

<p>@ Omega: I totally forgot about this thread for a while, but now I’m back… I’m not from Scholastica :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I have a 2290 in my SAT 1 (first try, won’t repeat). Not expecting my SAT II’s tomorrow to be that great, but I’m going to be repeating those in Dec… Will be expecting sth like 750-800 then.</p>

<p>What would my fits and chances me around now?</p>