The irresistible cliche - "What are my chances?"

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I was hoping somebody could tell me my chances of getting in to the schools I am applying to</p>

<p>I am an Indian citizen and will definitely need aid.</p>

<p>Good academics, ECs seem fairly decent, Recommendations should be good,
SAT I 2270, will take SAT II in October</p>

<p>Academics:
In India we don't have GPAs, but I'm in the top 5% of my class (some 400 kids) so I am guessing my GPA will be like 3.7-3.8 on 4. </p>

<p>ECs:
Worked at NASA on the Spirit rover as part of the Planetary Society's Student Astronaut team.
Made it to the Intl. Olympiad in Informatics Training Camp of my country.
Was team leader of the runners-up team at the Asian Region Space Settlement Design Competition
Received a National Award from the Government of India for "Exceptional Achievement in Space Science and General Science"
My Science paper was in the top 15 papers in the country twice in the Dupont Science Paper Challenge
Was part of my school basketball team. Won some "Zonal" Level Tournaments.
Play guitar (hoping to form a band soon!)
Was "School Ambassador" in junior year of high school.
Student Council President in senior year now.
Some 100 hours of community service
Because of all the above I study <em>free</em> in my school. (In India private schools are paid, public schools are really bad).</p>

<p>I've occasionally participated at Model UNs,debates,quizzes etc. but rarely won anything big there.
Also got various schools awards and scholarships.
Can't think of anything else now but I do have some state level scholarships, a whole bunch of newspaper reports about my trip to NASA (I don't know if this helps?!)</p>

<p>So after all this can you tell me what my chances are like (please keep in mind that I am an international student applying for financial aid!) at MIT, USC, Stanford (I'll be applying EA at Stanford), Caltech, UPenn (M&T Program), Cornell?</p>

<p>Thanks a ton!
Saatvik</p>

2

<p>From what I've heard, the international applicant pool is VERY competitive. You are probably in at USC, but the others are all reaches. You need to have a more realistic list. If Stanford is your dream school, go ahead and apply, you've got a decent chance. Drop a few schools off that list though and apply at some solid matches. How about Boston College, University of Michigan, William and Mary, etc?</p>

3

<p>Yeah, international admissions are tough, but you are very accomplished. The science concentration will be a plus, because admissions people like to see dedication and direction. The fact that you're applying for financial aid shouldn't mean anything; almost all U.S. colleges are need-blind now (and if they aren't, they will be soon! Conservatives are losing ground--I hope that doesn't offend anyone). If you get interviews, you'd probably come across as the perfect candidate.</p>

<p>Best of luck :)</p>

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<p>gotta love the title</p>