<p>I went through a CBSE high school. While not as internationally recognized as the IB or not as supposedly tough as the ICSE board, CBSE is supposed to be quite demanding and intense.</p>
<p>Class 10/Sophomore Year - 95.4%
1. English - 91
2. Sanskrit - 99
3. Math - 98
4. Science - 95
5. Social Sciences - 94</p>
<p>Class 12/Senior Year - 87.4%
1. English - 95
2. Computer Science - 95
3. Math - 86
4. Chemistry - 84
5. Physics - 77</p>
<p>SAT Reasoning Test - 2280/2400
1. Math - 780/800
2. Critical Reading - 770/800
3. Writing - 730/800</p>
<p>SAT Subject Tests - English Lit: 760/800 and Math (Level 2): 790/800</p>
<p>TOEFL - 120/120</p>
<p>Extra-curricular activities:</p>
<ol>
<li>A total of 4 first prizes in debate/extempore/speech events in high school.</li>
<li>Participated in the school's Table Tennis and Soccer teams. Have certificates.</li>
<li>Very, VERY highly ranked in two international-level Olympiads - one English, the other Cyber (by a privately-run organization, though.)</li>
<li>Doing a writing internship with AOL India at the moment. Will be doing it for some time.</li>
<li>Am teaching street kids in an organization. Will have logged in 50hrs by the time applications are due.</li>
</ol>
<p>It’s very hard to compare grades earned in one nation’s schools with those earned in another’s. But, your grades seem very good, and your exam scores stand out as excellent, and they will look that way to the Colgate Admissions people, too. </p>
<p>That you are interested in English language (and literature, I assume, since that’s what English is at American colleges) is very good. They will want to know what a young man from India wants to get out of a college in the U.S., and why he wants to attend Colgate, a smaller rural university, instead of a large urban university. Part of this is their not wanting to admit someone who really isn’t all that interested in attending. And part may be concern that foreign students need to really know a good deal about Colgate and want to be there since there are few other distractions than the university itself. About 60/% of Colgate students spend at least one semester off campus, by the way, mainly overseas, so there is some international flavor in that respect among older students. But, most Colgate students are the standard suburban American kids, mainly from the Northeastern U.S., though there are many other types, as well, just not as many as I’d like to see. </p>
<p>This is a small town, rural environment, a small college of fewer than 3,000 students, with excellent academics and excellent athletics. If you play soccer well or any other sports, that would be even more appealing as Colgate really likes smart young people who work hard and are good at a sport – though this is not necessary to be admitted, of course (but it might help!). Colgate has many other very good programs, as well, as you know. </p>
<p>They will want to hear from you what particular aspects of the academic program interest you as well as what you find appealing about Colgate life. Colgate has always attracted a small number of foreign students – dozens, not hundreds. I have to say I’m really impressed witht the 99 in Sanskrit as you are one of the few students I’ve known who took that course and did that well! Good luck in your college search!</p>
<p>Thank you so much! I’ll look into it more and will definitely consider applying.</p>
<p>By the way, can anyone talk to me about how being an international student impacts your admission chances? Also, will I really hamper my chances if I ask for aid? My father recognizes the differential treatment meted out to International students and is willing to pay the amount, but we <em>do</em> fall under an income-group that would receive aid - had we been US citizens.</p>
<p>If my chances are drastically reduced, then I won’t risk entry and will not ask for aid. But if there is something (merit-based scholarships) that I can go for without jeopardizing the probability of admission itself, I’d love to go after it.</p>
<p>1)India’s known for grade inflation. 2) Indian Americans dominate top colleges and are over represented. They would be given preference over foreign Indians. 3) yet I am confident you can get in. Your scores are very good.</p>