@alexandre
Thank you for your answer. I may want to study medicine, though I am not 100% sure.
While I will apply for PLME through RD, Brown admissions office told me that they would defer almost all aid-needing int'ls to RD. I will also apply for HPME in NU ( I have received permission to apply) and Rice/Baylor.
I have finished Vandy’s app, and Harvard will be finished in some hours. Should I go for H? I am becoming wary of duke’s ED.
I am also slightly concerned that Harvard may not want more Iranians since they already have one, but this seems illogical to say the least
Soheils, I would not ED anywhere if I were you. With programs like the PLME and HPME (not as generous as PLME with aid to international students), I would only apply EA…perhaps to Princeton.
@Alexandre That is what I am thinking, and you are all suggesting that I steer away of early decision apps, so I am taking Duke and Vandy ED out of the picture.
So I will EA. why do you recommend p-ton? do you think it is a better fit? or is your opinion based on my chances?
@dowzerw thank you for your response, yes, I understand that the 1-2% difference is meaningless. I am asking that because out of all posters, @Alexandre has been the only one to recommend P-ton over Harvard. I am genuinely interested in hearing his reasons. ( I have already said that I like hearing new opinions )
@Soheils There is absolutely no advantage between applying to Princeton and applying to Harvard for SCEA; both accept around 18-20% of the early pool. Research both schools and choose the one that you feel is better for you.
Also, Harvard won’t deny you just because there is another Iranian at the school.
Both schools are crapshoots; it’s like deciding between two different lotteries. You can’t really tell which one you’re going to win beforehand. (However, Harvard has an optional essay of your choice, so you can reuse an essay for another school if you haven’t started them yet.) Regardless of where you apply, you’ll do well at both.
As for pros and cons, Harvard has a lot more money and recently received a donation for its applied sciences program. As with what @exacademic said, you match the type of student that Harvard wants right now. On the other hand, however, Princeton focuses more on its undergraduate students and, if campus aesthetics means much to you, has a more beautiful campus in my opinion. The choice is entirely up to you.
In addition, keep in mind that you can apply to the other school for regular decision. For example, if you apply to Harvard SCEA and get deferred, you can still apply to Princeton RD. If you get accepted to Harvard during the early round, you can still apply to Princeton just to compare the schools and finalize your decision. Applying early vs. regular is not going to be the factor that determines whether you receive a rejection or acceptance.
I haven’t run the numbers for all of your choices but for any school that admits less than 10% of applicants, nothing is guaranteed. There will be many more qualified applicants than spots. So consider Princeton, Brown, Harvard, Williams, Amherst as lottery schools. There may be more on your list that fall into this category but those are the ones than I know.
I’d venture a guess that you’d have no problem at Macalaster or Rhodes. I don’t know if Alabama’s generous scholarships apply to international applicants or not but you certainly meet the GPA/ACT cutoffs there.
For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t apply ED, but apply unrestricted EA where you think it would do most good.
Congratulations on your excellent record of academic achievement and best of luck.
@azwu331 thank you for your informing answer.
If I can get the most venerated factor of “institutional Priority” to work in my factor, it would most certainly be a good help.In truth, Harvard’s location in Boston suburbia appeals to me more than Princeton’s small urban location, though this may be alleviated by Princeton’s close proximity to NYC. I have grown up in a large city, and I love the bustle of big city life.). Thanks to you guys, I now know that I should not apply through ED, and that ivy SCEA is just what they say it is : a way to know the fate of your application slightly sooner.
I am going to do some final research, before writing my Harvard supplement’s essay. I still have around 36 hours, but I am going to finish it tonight. @mamaedefamilia Thank you for your kind answer,
I understand. that is why I have a lot of LAC’s with +25% and a few Uni’s with +15% rate on my list.
I have contacted some Alabama universities and they said that it is OK. TROY sent me some papers, stating that I qualify for a full ride.
I am probably going for H, but I will make a little more research.
In RD round, I will definitely apply to JHU BME as well.
At your level, reading would be a given, I think. It’s obvious that you read widely.
If you prefer cities, Harvard (which is really contiguous with Boston, not a “suburb” in my opinion) would be a better fit than Princeton. Princeton is a charming small town, but there’s not much too it and it’s rather posh. You can get to NYC by train but it will take you a good 1.5 hours, maybe a bit more and you’re unlikely to do this on a regular basis. You’re also a good 1-1.5 hours from Newark or Philadelphia airports.
Boston is a diverse city with multiple neighborhoods, each with distinct character, and it is well integrated by its subway system. You can get across the city fairly quickly by train. There are buses too, but Boston street traffic can be quite daunting! There are also so many colleges and universities in Boston that there is a tremendous vitality with respect to student life throughout the city. The cultural opportunities also will be right at your fingertips. If you like bustle, then use your SCEA at Harvard!
Agree that the fact that Harvard already has one Iranian will NOT hurt your chances there. Harvard is eager to have alumn networks worldwide. And that Cambridge is a lot more urban and diverse than Princeton. Harvard students also have the opportunity to cross-register for MIT classes. I know you don’t want to go to MIT for college – my daughter feels the same way – but she liked the idea of having access to some of the resources MIT has to offer.
Soheils, if you prefer Harvard to Princeton, it makes good sense to apply SCEA to Harvard. I was merely recommending against applying ED anywhere because if you get into the HPME or PLEM programs and receive good aid, it may make better sense to go to one of those over say Duke or Vanderbilt.
@mamaedefamilia Thank you for your response,
Boston sounds like my type of city. The air quality is also surprisingly good, which is a big plus for somebody from my location.
I have lived in small forested towns long enough to know that I can’t stand them for long ( We lived in Sweden for some time, which may be a plus for me too.).
Harvard it is then! In Iran, we have a saying for situations like this. We say “I want it, so It is 50% done. I just have to convince them.” (not sure if the humor translates, sorry if it sounds ridiculous.)
–About reading:
I see. one good thing about Princeton’s app is the favorite book and quote portion. @exacademic thanks again . I understand that my fears are irrational. My mind is trying to convince me to aim as low as I can, because I am not very confident when it comes to things like this. I will, however; apply to Harvard.
The MIT cross-register, which I just found out about, is a GREAT opportunity! all the benefits of MIT classes without their disadvantages. @alexandre I understand, Thank you very much for your concern for me. Thanks to you guys, I am now informed enough to not fall in the trap that is ED.
P.S : Silly me! I thought October is 30 day month. (in our calendar, all autumn months are 30 day). so I have more time than I thought.
P.S 2: I will appreciate it If anybody can spare the time / willingness to take a look at my essays.
BIG thanks to everybody who helped me in this thread. I wish you all the best in your careers / college apps / etc.
My act writing just came in, btw. it is low (25). I hope that it doesn’t hurt my app. It shouldn’t because it was the first exam, but then again, I can’t do anything about it so there is no use worrying.
@Malcomx99 writing… my composite is 34.
my scores are : English 34 - Math 34 - Reading 33 - Science 34 - Composite 34 - Writing 25. I provided my scores in the OP post.
@soheils One thing to be aware of is that once you are admitted you will need to apply for a US visa. Since there are no US diplomatic facilities in Iran, you will have to go elsewhere, eg. Dubai, to apply in person. If you are still under 18, I think you’ll be able to bring a parent along for your interview.
@janesmith thank you for your response. Yes , I am aware of that. If I get in, I will travel to Armenia for my visa process.
I take it that my writing score is irrelevant? (many people are saying this in the forum)
