Hi everyone, after reading smb else’s threads I’ve finally decided to join. I would greatly appreciate your input My daughter is a HS senior in Russia and applied to a number of top-tier colleges in the US, including some of the Ivies.
SAT I - 2220 single sitting
SAT II - Math II 800, French 750, Literature 740
Goes to one of the best schools in the country, top 10% of her class.
We don’t do GPA, but it would be around 4.8 out of 5
ECs are decent but not spectacular - art classes for a number of years, volunteering at BBBS, many academic competions/awards.
Good teachers’ recs, good (I think) essays.
No athletics to speak of.
On the minus side, we do need a lot of financial help, so could only apply to wealthy colleges.
Based on the above, do you think being Russian would play in her favor or against?
And, more specifically, what are her chances for places such as UChicago, Amherst, Duke, Columbia?
Thanks for all responses. I’d chance you back, but we are so new to this game…
Thanks for the reply.
They are her safety, but she doesn’t really want to go there, exactly because of what you mention. She’s not quite sure what she wants to major in, and is considering a double major, which would be next to impossible in a Russian university.
You indicate a “lot of financial help” will be required. That is quite unlikely for international applicants who apply to most of the first-tier undergraduate programs. You may need to refine her “target school” listing, based on the probability of decent international undergraduate FA, before you do anything else.
sorry, TopTier, not sure what you mean. There’re only a few colleges that are need blind for international applicants (like Amherst). And the ones that cover 100% of demonstrated need are, for the most part, among the most exclusive. We didn’t see any way around it.
yes, we realize that. but at other places there’s no chances of getting sufficient aid. she was accepted at Drexel early action, but they only cover 50% - far from enough.
what we are wondering is whether being Russian could be counted on the plus side because of diversity?
I would have added in financial.safeties such as University of Alabama and Umass Amhearst where she could have received merit money. At this late stage you could try UMaine Orono. You might still get good merit aid which could bring your cost down to 25k or UMaine Farmington if she wants an LAC. Depends on whether or not she wants to study in the States. Being from Russia could help if you applied early to the other colleges but the top tier schools are probably swamped with internationals.
The thing is, that Drexel scholarship was a combination of need based and merit aid, and was not enough.
Actually, from what we understand some of the top tier schools don’t have many Russian students, though others, like Columbia, do.
Yes but Drexel STARTS at around 70k doesn’t it? She could have come here for around 20 k if applying to very high merit aid colleges. Her stats are good. What can you afford? What is her major?
@MaMasha Also some top tier schools.may not have many Russian students but that does not mean they don’t receive many Russian applicants. It seems standard for internationals to apply to the same top tier schools. University of Alabama would have probably given her free tuition with her stats. @mom2collegekids would know. Try UMaine schools at this point if she wants to study in the states.
I think that she has a good shot at many top tier schools. Although I would have applied to some of the top pubic Universities in the US as well. Some of them like UC Berkeley compete with the Ivy league and cost half as much or less. (but as you said some of the wealthier private schools can give very good aid) Also, personally, I have a good opinion of Russian students and I think it shouldn’t be too much of a problem when applying.
PS- What is her intended major(s)? (This will help asses her chances/best school)
Intended major is Economics, with Mathematics as second choice. But one of the things she likes about UChicago and Columbia, for instance, is that you get more time to pick a major and don’t have to do it at once.
I think it will be a reach/high reach to get into those schools based on her stats (unless she has national awards?) and receive enough aid to be able to go but I wish her the very best. TopTier is a Duke alum and I would heed his advice about reevaluating her school choices for more affordable options.
Actually, she does have national awards. She is a winner and prisewinner of the national English competition, and has regional awards in Economics and Social Studies.
I would say it’s a reach. I think they do value academics a lot but you also need to balance it out with ECs. For UChicago: At my school, there was a kid who was good at everything. He got tons of academic awards, went to State for like 3 clubs(it’s a great achievement in the US), had a couple leadership positions and took part in many activites(he’s in a major youth orchestra). But someone who didn’t win as many awards got in while he was deferred. So it’s actually the essays that matter a lot at UChicago. Duke is a reach…they want ECs too. Columbia is a reach/high reach. Again, she is fine in terms of academics but she needs more ECs.
Yes, her ECs are really a problem. She only realized she wanted to go to college in the US last year, and even then Russian schools don’t offer as many ECs, because Russian universities are only interested in academics.
Her essays are pretty good.
I think she has a chance though. Maybe for international applicants, they don’t put emphasis on ECs as much. With UChicago, essays play a pretty big part. Also, I would encourage your daughter to get interviews(not on campus but with local alumni or via skype). It makes the process more personal and shows interest in the college. Good Luck though!