What should I target?

International Students
1

<p>Hey y'all!</p>

<p>I'm a 19-year old high school graduate from India. I'm gonna be applying 2015 to the most selective colleges as I might need some aid to study abroad and also because I want to go to a research school.</p>

<p>I took the SAT recently, it was bad, 1750 bad. I'm not worried about it as I think I can do really well with some good prep (or any prep really.) It was just a test run. I'm going to take the ACT, SAT and subject tests soon.
The books I'll use:
Official SAT
Official ACT
TPR SAT
Nova's SAT
Barron's SAT 2400
Barron's ACT 36
Barron's MATH II
Barron's Physics
Barron's Chemistry.</p>

<p>Any other I should get to aim for the perfect scores?</p>

<p>My gpa is kinda on the average side, a 73/100 in board exams; however, my state JEE Percentile was 98.</p>

<p>I took part in a lot of extracurriculars (uncommon for Indians, right?) My teachers and counselor will provide glaring recommendations. My essays are ready and decent (no way to find out about the latter huh?)</p>

<p>I'm targeting Cornell ED
UChicago, Georgetown, MIT & Caltech EA
and rest of ALL (you name it) the top schools RD
for Computer Science.</p>

<p>Can y'all give me a target in standardized test scores so that I might be considered competitive and eventually get in to one of these!</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>As far as the standardized tests are concerned, you should aim to achieve a PERFECT score in SAT(or at least 700+ in each section), ACT,and the SAT Subject Tests.It is quite easy to score 800 in the subject tests if your concepts are clear and base in the subject is strong. In the SAT reasoning test, scoring 800 in math is not a very big deal and if you are good at grammar, you can easily cross 700 in the writing section also. the main problem arises in the CR ( for me it is a GIANT problem)…i have no idea about ACT but i think that purpose will be solved by sending the SAT scores only but its your choice if you want to increase your chance.
Over all, a good score for ivies is definitely 2100+ and even more (some applicants even have a 2400)…the extra curricular activities that you have participated in will also benefit you…good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the response.</p>

<p>Yes I think so too. Math and Writing are fairly easy, it’s CR that haunts me. ACT’s Reading is very logically, you don’t have mug up a zillion words to do well in it!</p>

<p>The SAT is also going to revert back to its old 1600 scale and more or less copy the ACT by making writing optional, checking grammar more than vocabulary, and not negatively penalizing kids for incorrect answers (2016 onwards.)</p>

<p>Can you suggest some books I absolutely MUST get (apart from the ones I’ve listed).</p>

<p>Also, can you list out two or three decent back-up schools that offer good aid to Internationals and have good CS programs.</p>

4

<p>ACT’s Reading is very logical*.</p>

5

<p>For your target schools, you need around 2300 for SAT I to be in the median of the applicant pool. Cornell could be slightly lower but not by much. Unless you have any hook, your current scores will really put you maybe in the bottom 10-20% of the ED or EA applicant pool. Please do a little more research before you apply. Some schools will not consider you at RD after your rejection from ED etc., so better be prepared before you make the ED</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I was involved in a horrible road accident and lost both of my grandfathers in the build-up to the boards. I’m gonna have my counselor write about my flawless record in school (unfortunately only the boards count.)
I captained the school team to the QFs of the state football (soccer) competiton and also stood #1 in IMO and IEO in the city. I also try to do a lot of volunteer work. You think that might improve my chances.</p>

<p>Cornell is my dream school, when you meant lower… you meant like 2100s, right? I’m confident of having a real go at the SAT and scoring that much atleast.</p>

7

<p>@gunning4ivies
I think you should either aim at SAT or ACT, sitting on the fence is not advisable. in general, ACT questions are a lot tougher but straightforward, SAT questions are easy but they are worded difficult. Plus SAT offers more precision, I’m surprised that you took the SAT when you were not sufficiently prepared, now it’ll appear on your scores (remember that some ivies don’t allow score choice). Even when you avoid the SAT and take the ACT, you score will be sent anyway when you report your SAT II. Most people not that good in English find CR to be a nightmare, just use the Barron’s SAT CR workbook, it’s the best. </p>

8

<p>I presume you have taken a gap year.
Are you planning to write JEE again this year?
Do you have any Indian safeties?</p>

<p>If your 9th,10th and 11th finals, and 12th preboards and mid term marks are high, then, your average board marks will not affect your application very badly.</p>

<p>A lot of Indian students who apply to the top colleges have very good extracurriculars.
IMO and IEO do not count since they are private olympiads.</p>

<p>Do research the schools you are planning to apply to. MIT does not allow international students to apply EA.</p>

9

<p>No point in taking the JEE again as I’m set on going abroad and being more than just a number. I wanna do music, astronomy, Chemistry and a foreign language along with CS.</p>

<p>I don’t have any safeties in India and seek a couple of them in the U.S., ones which take you with 1900s (might I end up with it), give 50%ish aid and have a good CS program. Please suggest some, I’m thinking UIUC…</p>

<p>I did stand first in many of the school exams…</p>

<p>I accidentally listed MIT in EA. I can’t apply to Caltech EA as well, as internationals applying EA don’t get aid. Can you list ALL the prominent schools having EA (non-binding as I’m applying ED Cornell.)</p>

<p>Appreciate all the help!</p>

10

<p>I competed 12th at 16. Had school highest in English in boards but failed Chemistry. Got 86 in chemistry the following year. Will have had 3 years off of school when I attend in 2015. :l</p>

<p>oh yeah have an embarrassing 44 in Math. I know it looks bad but I had a 95 in pre-boards. I’d reached the test center late due to heavy traffic and panicked so bad.</p>

<p>Am I fighting a lost battle? :’(</p>

11

<p>So what did you do over the past 3 years?</p>

<p>Every top college considers your grades as very important, along with SAT scores ( other than SAT optional LACs).</p>

<p>At the end of the day, unless you are a recruited athlete, or an under represented minority ( for colleges seeking to boost the diversity on campus) to a lesser level, colleges generally don’t compromise on academics. THere may be a few cases where the applicant has demonstrated extraordinary level of achievement in some academic related field or in an extracurricular activity, but these cases are few and rare.</p>

<p>Colleges give more importance to school leaving examinations since the papers are external ones ( and correction is external too), so as to compare you with a large no. of students.
There are instances where colleges rescind ( take back) acceptances when a student’s performance has gone down extremely badly in the final exam ( after receiving an acceptance). Senior year grades are really important, and the only reason they consider mid term grades, and pre board grades is the non-availability of final exam grades when decisions are made.</p>

<p>You had a 44 the first year, or the second year?
A 44 in Math ( Especially for a STEM major) will pull your application down like hell.</p>

<p>And yes, you need to aim realistically since you are set on going abroad
.
Can you afford UIUC? ( They don’t offer aid to internationals)
How much can your parents contribute over the 4 years? </p>

<ol>
<li><p>I wouldn’t consider any school as a safety, due to your grades.</p></li>
<li><p>You can go to a community college for 2 years, improve your grades, and transfer to a state university after 2 years, but state universities do not offer aid ( but they are cheaper than private ones)</p></li>
<li><p>Do look at universities in other countries like UK, Australia, New Zealand , etc. Also, France and Germany have no/minimal tuition fees,but you need to know French/German. ( And some of them seek 1 year college education in India, before you apply there)</p></li>
<li><p>Do have a look at Indian universities too. If you don’t manage to get a place, you can always enroll in India in a college, and work really hard to maintain a high CGPA, undertake some research or projects, work in internships over summer, and get in to a good grad school in the USA ( the money you are planning to spend now can be used for grad school).</p></li>
</ol>

12

<p>Thanks for killing my enthusiasm man. So, you’re saying theres no way I’m getting into a decent school with those grades.</p>

<p>I’ll list out my grades.</p>

<p>Board average: 73.</p>

<p>10th:
Math 9
Science 8
English 8
IT 10
SS 7</p>

<p>(2 A’s, 3 B’s, 1 C)</p>

<p>12th:
English 88
Chemistry 86
Physics 67
Math 44
(2 A’s, 2 B’s, 1 C)
Keep in mind that I was 25 minutes late to the exam hall in Math and also the things that happened in the buildup to boards.</p>

<p>Doomed?</p>

13

<p>I din’t intend to kill your enthusiasm.
I am just asking you to reconsider your list of colleges.( The initial list of Cornell, Georgetown, and other top colleges)</p>

<p>After all, I know that boards is just another exam, and it should not entirely determine your career, or your college.
But I don’t know how colleges will interpret your scores.</p>

<p>What is your 11th final percentage?</p>

<p>Since you are planning to apply as a Comp Sci. major, do you have any extracurriculars in the same? ( It is not necessary, but almost all applicants to the Comp Sci. major have these).</p>

<p>Also, colleges will be interested to know what you did over the past 2/3 years.</p>

<p>For example, check the post by AnnaTheGreat (she got into Harvard) on this page ( This is just to have a rough idea for a student applying 2-3 years late).</p>

<p>If colleges interpret your board scores going by the circumstances you were in, you have a good chance at scome colleges ( esp. if you get a high SAT score).</p>

14

<p>All throughout high school I had 80+ each subject.</p>

<p>I’ve been utilizing my time in these gap years by studying the local Computer Engineering syllabus, I’ve finished the 1st year. I’ve also attended some rigorous Math, Chemistry, Physics and Programming classes just to keep it all fresh and be updated. I’ve also accomplished some personal goals (like lost 45 lbs by playing lots of sports.) I’ve traveled a bit too.</p>

<p>I’m going to try to kill the SAT/ACT. 3 moths of crazy prep and vocab mugging.</p>

15

<p>So are you a transfer student if you’ve been taking classes?</p>

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<p>Also, I couldn’t get into an Ivy with a 2330. Your chances are not good unless you score 2300+; international pool is even more competitive. </p>

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<p>No I’ve been taking classes externally… (JEE prep)</p>

<p>and really? Not even with a 2330? :frowning: where’d you end up then?</p>

<p>Maybe I should just forget it and join a hell-hole in India itself. :-S </p>

18

<p>Why didn’t you took CS in your high school?</p>

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<p>I took it… 56 in that, C2.</p>

<p>School didn’t have a teacher, it was after school that I really got involved and learned programming really. -_-</p>

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<p>@bodangles‌ </p>

<p>Dude, answer me!</p>