<p>Hello people!</p>
<p>I just have a question about Stanford University.</p>
<p>How possible is it for an international student to get into Stanford with financial aid and without SAT Subject Tests?
I know that we international students have like a 1% of chances of getting accepted, but I want to know how FA and the Subject Tests can change that.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I suppose if you’re EXTRAORDINARY in some other ways the lack of SAT IIs could be OK… but ask yourself: Why would Stanford accept someone without SAT Subject Tests (that they recommend) when all the other applicants will have them, with stellar scores to boot?</p>
<p>Stanford is need aware for internationals.</p>
<p>In other words, it’s almost impossible for an international student to get on Stanford, right?</p>
<p>I want to ask something else: is it true that the admission process on Ivy Leagues is a complete lottery? or is that a lie?
Does it means that selection is random?</p>
<p>Another thing that I noted is that on Stanford, not everyone who enters has a 4.0 GPA. Does that mean that a person who has a, for example, 3.8 GPA and a 2100 SAT can get in? I mean, obviously, in the most luckiest of cases.</p>
<p>No, it’s not random. But it is subject to much bias due to sheer level of competition. And yes, there have been cases with people with SAT scores in the 1700-1900 range receiving admission at Stanford (I’m talking of international kids). However, those are most likely just outliers. It just depends on luck, I guess. Nevertheless, Better grades, better SAT = better chance. That is axiomatic.</p>
<p>I believe Stanford has 10% internationals which means they have about 170 students each year.</p>
<p>Unless one is an international athlete, it would be very hard to get into Stanford with the best of stats. So debating about what one needs to get in is a moot point.</p>
<p>With so few slots for internationals, if Stanford has to choose between 2 equally amazing applicants, the one which does not need financial aid would probably have a better chance of getting in. So, once you ask for financial aid, you’re at a disadvantage. </p>
<p>And it’s not like they hiding this. Stanford says its aid is not need-blind for internationals. In other words, it will make a difference in your admission.</p>
<p>As for SAT subject tests, a general advice would be: do your best, do the maximum you can (which means don’t consider not taking the subject tests), and then hope for the best.</p>
<p>Why in the world would you want to present an application that right off the bat is weaker than everybody else’s? Pretty much everyone who applies to stanford presents Subject tests, with high scores to boot, unless they have a very very good reason not to. For an international, it’s especially important since it may help distinguish your record from another international applicant’s record in ways that make sense to Americans.
Is it possible? Sure. It’s also possible to win the lottery. But you shouldn’t bet on it to plan the rest of your life.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>A last question: what are the chances for an international student who needs 90% of the CoA on Financial Aid to attend Stanford?</p>
<p>Look and see if they’re need-blind: if they are, how much financial need you have will not factor in. If they are need-aware, they’ll still offer you need-based scholarships but it’ll be harder for you to get in.
If you need 90% financial aid, you MUST have the greatest record possible. Not having SAT Subjects is not an option (and you must score in the 700s)</p>
<p>It’s really important that you take at least 2 SAT subject tests. It will boost your chances of getting accepted.</p>