Should I stop considering applying to Yale EA? (International student)

[liesl93]

I just got my SAT scores, and they’re below the average for Yale. But it was expected, because I was consistently getting the same range of scores in all my practice tests, therefore I don’t think I should retake the test. Preparatory classes in my country are too expensive.

I know Yale is a crapshoot for everyone, but I’m wondering if I should not apply on the basis of my SAT score. In school I have a high GPA, I take challenging courses, and my extracurriculars are generally pretty solid (I prefer not to be specific about them), although I’m not at that “recruited athlete / bestselling-novelist” level. Neither of my parents went to college (another reason I don’t want to retake the SAT, even though they’re willing to finance it, I sort of feel like it would be a selfish move). As for any form of affirmative action (if Yale has this), it would actually work against me, as I’m from an over-represented group.

Other schools I’m considering include Amherst College (I also fall below the average score here, however), and NUS and NTU in Singapore (which I don’t have to send my SAT scores to since I’ll be receiving my exam grades by the deadline).

I’ve heard only the strongest students apply EA to Yale, therefore I’m just wondering if I should apply RD or drop the application altogether.

Thank you for any help.

[Publisher]

You certainly know how to write a persuasive post about why you should not apply to Yale.

[liesl93]

@Publisher Sorry, I just meant to ask if it’s worth applying with a low SAT score, but decided to provide additional info (though preferring not to be too specific), as I don’t think the score a good reflection of my academic abilities.

[gibby]

I just got my SAT scores, and they’re below the average for Yale.

Without knowing your actual scores, your post is all conjecture. What are your SAT scores?

FWIW: I’ve posted this in other forums, but here it is again

SCEA is not for every student – it is SUPER competitive.

If you have a 1510+ on the new SAT with lots of AP classes and AP tests (all with 4’s and 5’s) and an unweighted GPA above 95 (on a 1-100 scale) or an unweighted GPA of 3.9 (on a 1-4 scale), and are ranked in the top 1% to 3% of your graduating class, then you should apply to HYP or S in the SCEA round. Pick a school, whichever one is your favorite, and apply, as the odds tend to be better for high-end students in the early round, no matter what Admissions says otherwise.

If you have a sub-1510 on the new SAT, or the ACT equivalent, and are ranked in the top 4% to 10% of your high school’s graduating class, then you should NOT apply SCEA, as there is a high probability that your application will get buried by the polly-perfect’s of this world, and there is a high probability you will be deferred. As such, you will have wasted your early chances at a “match” school.

Instead, student’s with a sub-1510 , and ranked in the top 4% to 10% of their graduating class should apply to a broad range of non-binding colleges early and apply to HYPS in the RD round.

[liesl93]

@gibby 1450, 740 RW, 710 M. I actually found the math pretty easy, not sure where I went wrong.

[liesl93]

I also took the essay, but the scores are not out yet.

[gibby]

1450, 740 RW, 710 M. I actually found the math pretty easy, not sure where I went wrong.

Based upon my advice in post #3, if you apply SCEA to HYP or S your application is going to get buried by the “peter perfects” of this world, and you stand a good chance of being deferred – that’s true regardless of your EC’s, teacher recs or essays. Based upon your SAT scores alone, you should apply to a broad range of non-binding colleges early and apply to HYPS in the RD round.

That’s doubly-true if you are an international student, as HYPSM restrict the number of international students to about 10%-11% of an admitted class – and Admissions is looking for students who are “the best of the best” from their country.

[liesl93]

@gibby Alright, thank you for the advice.

[Publisher]

We need to develop a broader list of target schools for you.

Consider Grinnell College in Iowa. Great LAC. Very wealthy school. High per student endowment. Very generous with financial aid.

Bates College in Maine.

Consider taking an SAT II test for math.

A 1450 SAT on the new version–which is the version that you took–is equal to a 1400 on the old version of the SAT.

The current issue of US News (2018 edition) Best Colleges shows only scores from the old version of the SAT. Therefore, if using the 2018 edition of US News, you scored a 1400 on the SAT.

[gibby]

If financial aid is a concern for the OP, there are only five US colleges that offer 100% Need-Blind and Full-Need Admission to International Students: Those being: MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Amherst (https://www.internationalstudent.com/schools_awarding_aid/). Unfortunately, I think a 1450 SAT is going to be too low for early admissions to those schools. If financial aid is NOT a concern for the OP, yes Grinnell is a good option.

[liesl93]

@Publisher @gibby Thanks the recommendation, I’ll consider applying there. At the same time, I’ll also be applying to schools in other countries that don’t require the SAT (luckily for me, my grades in school are not as bad as my SAT scores :-P). Thank you for the help!

[Publisher]

@gibby @liesl93: Gibby’s post above is very helpful but incorrect with respect to financial aid for International Students at Grinnell College in Iowa.

Not only does Grinnell College offer need based aid to internationals, Grinnell has specific merit based scholarships available only to international applicants.

Additionally, with a 1450 SAT score, Grinnell College is the best realistic option for OP as an International Student in need of financial aid. This SAT score makes Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT & Amherst as major reaches for the OP.

[gibby]

@Publisher: If you consult Grinnell’s website for Financial Aid for International Students, you will see that Grinnell is need aware, meaning a student’s ability to pay is factored into whether or not he or she will be accepted.: http://ww3.grinnell.edu/admission/apply/international

Like the majority of highly selective, private liberal arts colleges in the United States, Grinnell employs a need-aware admission policy for international students. This means that your financial information is considered along with the other components of your application during the admission evaluation.

Grinnell is committed to meeting 100% of institutionally determined need for admitted international students within our financial aid budget. This need-aware model allows us to best distribute our resources to enroll a high-achieving, multi-talented, and geographically diverse class.

Grinnel’s need-aware model for international students is similar to other LAC colleges. Only Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT and Amherst admit international students regardless of their ability to pay, and for any student who cannot afford the full price tag, a full-need scholarship – with no loans – will be given to make up the difference. That is why most international students apply to those 5 colleges.

FWIW: Most international students admitted to Grinnell must take out loans as part of their financial aid package http://www.grinnell.edu/financial-aid/intl-student-aid

Grinnell College International Student Loan (GCISL)

Most students receiving gift aid from the College are also awarded a student loan as part of the need-based aid package. A loan is borrowed money that must be repaid.

The interest rate is fixed at 5 percent. No interest accrues on the loan while you are enrolled at least half time at Grinnell. Repayment begins six months after your Grinnell enrollment ends. You may be eligible for deferment providing appropriate conditions are met.

In most circumstances, a creditworthy cosigner is needed for this loan. A cosigner is someone who is willing to sign the loan agreement with you. If no cosigner is available, you may request a cosigner waiver from the Office of Financial Aid. In the event you are unable to pay the balance of the loan, the cosigner will be responsible for paying back the loan. In addition, the cosigner authorizes Grinnell College to annually assess his/her creditworthiness and must be approved by the cashier.

It is your responsibility to secure a cosigner who:

is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the United States,
is at least 21 years of age,
is not enrolled in a college or university, and
is creditworthy.
If your award includes a Grinnell College International Student Loan, you will receive more information, including instructions on how to complete your loan paperwork, over the summer.

[Publisher]

Yes, but Grinnell is still the best option for this international applicant in need of financial aid. The schools which you noted are not likely to accept OP.

Plus, Grinnell College offers merit scholarships designated for only internationals.