I’m an international student and will apply for financial aid. I scored 1500 on the SAT, and my predicted IB score is 39/42 (without bonus points). I haven’t decided which major to apply to. I have a bunch of extracurriculars including leadership, music and 200+ hours of community service, MUNs, etc. I scored a 95% in the 10th Grade.
Hi! anyone?
You have the stats to get in but they are reaches for you, just like anybody else. I’d recommend taking subject tests to demonstrate passion and intellectual capability.
Have taken them in the junior year itself. Sat Math II-800, Physics - 800
I meant took them in the 11th Grade
Not very high due to the fact that you’re international and need financial aid. Most top schools are need blind for domestic applicants, but not for international applicants. This will definitely hurt you. In addition, your SAT score isn’t very good for these Ivy League schools considering all of the other students that score 1550+.
What if I’m applying to Princeton and Yale (need-blind for International as well)? And what are the chances of getting financial aid at Cornell?
Ivies cap the number of international students they take in… And from what I’ve seen just at Brown, the ones they do take are extraordinary. I dunno if your SAT will be high enough to get you into Princeton and Yale. 1500 would be dubious for even a domestic applicant
Consider this question: “am I literally the most qualified student from my entire country?” That is basically the battle most international students fight.
Hmm… Any more insights or advice?
Just to keep in mind: I got the exact same scores as you (took bio and not physics but it does not matter), had good grades and tons of community service, and got rejected by all Ivies. I’m not saying that you should not apply, or that you don’t have any chances, but search for other colleges as well.
Hmm… Thank you very much for your insights. I don’t know how this will help, but I also co-founded a small drone startup. Will this help, if at all, even slightly?
Also, I have represented my school in badminton and athletics at the district level.
No, I do think that makes much of a difference, if at all. The only way playing badminton or athletics could really make a difference is if you were playing it at a national or international level.
I’d also recommend not applying to five Ivies. They are high reaches for you and should make up no more than a third of your college list and 15 is A LOT of colleges to apply to.
but what about the drone startup?
I would say focus on STEM (if you are applying engineering). Start a STEM club, do robotics, start a STEM blog, etc.