“Korea is not the best example since they are over-represented.”
that is what I was going for, to compare under-represented Iran with over-represented Korea.
But I see your point. They are logical enough to understand that more flags does not equal a better class.
My son continually did well on blue book and College Board online practices - did 100 worse on his best SAT.
Please don’t use that as any kind of guide - plan to take the SAT at least twice before applying to colleges, if at all possible.
To be honest, CC should have a banner that says “PLAN TO TAKE THE SAT IN FALL AND SPRING OF JUNIOR YEAR” namely “PLAN TO TAKE A YEAR BEFORE APPLICATIONS ARE DUE AND SIX MONTHS BEFORE APPLICATIONS ARE DUE”. I cannot for the LIFE of me understand why anyone would not plan to take the SAT at least twice, and get the scores, before the early decision application date.
That is because I cannot. SAT is not offered in Iran, and during the spring, we have The Final Diploma exams. also, Saturday is a weekday in iran, thus, I cannot take the test in spring, and I did not really know about the whole process before that.
In fact, I might be forced to take the September act , so I can take the SAT II in October.
The reason does not call for such bafflement, and not all for anger.
Then cross Michigan (and any public university that does not give merit aid) off your list; you can’t afford it.
That’s fine; there is no preference for SAT vs. ACT.
Thank you ski, I was careless. michigan is listed as meeting 100% need in wikipedia, but a parenthesis adds that it only does so for state students.
so…I will have to apply SCEA only Harvard then.
I find it amusing (sad?) that international students “didn’t know about the process” but somehow expect to be admitted to top flight US schools. Do you not realize that being aware of “the college process” in addition to life in the US (especially the Northeast where the Ivies are located) is part of being accepted to college?
My friends from other countries (including Iran mind you, but many other non-European countries as well) at the Ivy I attended were all English first language and educated only in English, and educated about the college application process far better than I (a US citizen) from when they were 12 or so.
As much as Ivies are not for the poorest US citizens, they are most certainly not for the poorest international students. One must understand that even if tuition + fees is 60K per year, there are additional costs like traveling to the US and money to live on.
The key to college in the US at any level, be it large or small state school or Ivy League, is money.
Tell me, if your family cannot afford US tuition, and I assume that they and you are not US citizens, what makes you think that colleges and the US government will be putting out money for you that they would not reserve for US citizens?
Where I teach, the vast majority of international students pay 100% of tuition and fees as well as their room and board. The only exception is those who get funding from their own country’s government, and often the grade requirements are very high (3.0 GPA or higher).
Go look on the Scholarships board before you pick where you want to attend college, and also there are many articles about whether top flight colleges are worth it or not (most say “not” if you don’t have the money…).
Why do I give myself the permission to dream you ask.
Frankly, I can’t lose anything by trying. I am studying in what is possibly the best or second best high school in my country. My GPA is well above the national average, and I can easily get into the best colleges in my country with a little effort. I aspire for more. So what if I don’t succeed?
You ask that how can I expect the US government to pay for my education. That is what Harvard, Yale and other top colleges claim to do.
You ask me how did I not know about the process till the spring. You are right, and to be honest, before that I did not even know that there is a way that a middle class Iranian can afford to go to college in the USA. Now, I know that there is a Chance,however slim, that It is possible.
Also, while not knowing any of this, I have done much that can be useful for me. I have excelled in many things that I am passionate about, got into a high-school that is mathematically even more selective than Harvard, while being 2 years younger than everyone, and then gained complete acceptance by my school mares. I used all the opportunities available at my home for my age and situation that was within my humble talent. If us colleges won’t take me, and I say this knowing full well how narcissistic it sounds, THEIR LOSE.
My ambition is to make the name of soheils. S an equal to the name of Louis pastor, and if I fail, I have at least aimed high enough to become something.
This is my perspective. I am truly sorry if I got carried away. I am also sorry if it sounds angry. I was by no means angry.
Ps: this possibly sounds very entitled. I do not think myself as entitled. I just think it’s much better to aim high and assess yourself higher than the opposite
Schools do not communicate their rejects and their acceptances
Yes, thank you whuff
Also, where do you teach rhandco?
And if the past scea threads are any indication, there were quite a few students who were poorer than me and yet got accepted with sufficient aid.
Also, the fact that i did not know about life in new England then doesn’t mean I don’t know anything now.
These Iranians that you mention were most probably immigrants. In such cases, their families probably shared the same view towards Harvard University with stereotypical Chinese-American parents. I am only speculating though,mainly because Iran lack international schools.
And the reason I assumed what I asked about on the thread was a comment by Texaspg in the following thread :
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1548429-2400-sat-36-act-and-salutatorian-rejected-at-hyps.html
Do not rely on Wikipedia. Instead google NAME OF COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. When I did this for UMich, this came up http://finaid.umich.edu/home/howtoapplyforaid/internationalstudents.aspx
As previously posted, there are only 6 colleges that offer 100% of need for international students. Only 6 and those are Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Dartmouth and Amherst. The majority of US public colleges have statements similar to UMich. Many other private universities have those same statements, or will define need so narrowly, that international students will need to take out loans to afford them.
I do not think loans will be an issue. I plan to study medicine, probably neurology or neurosurgery. Thus, if worse comes to worst, I can go somewhere with a narrow aid policy and get a loan and hope to repay it , so long as they are willing to give me one. From what I understand, getting a loan is no easy task for an international. Of course, that is assuming that I manage to become what I want to be.
No easy task would be an understatement. Impossible would be the more accurate descriptor.
As Gibby says, what you need to look at is what the colleges themselves say. Not other sources, which may not be accurate or fully detailed. And even for internationals, a balance between academic and other experiences is needed.
The ‘scarce presence’ of your Iranian compatriots may or may not help you. They can easily choose other kids from another underrepresented country. Some of this can be more about larger regions- eg,kids from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan. And even balancing them with kids from the many African countries. Your full application, context, what challenges you took on and the personal attributes the adcoms seek will matter much- and that includes how you show some record of concern for others, especially in a country with a variety of challenges.
Get a sample of the Comon App and any supps for colleges you’re interested in- see what they ask and what they are trying to learn about you.
Thank you for your answer lookingforward
I have received my answer, and I believe that if I want to ask more questions, I need to open a new thread.
Also, will having my uncle who is a Canadian citizen co-sign a loan help in such an event?
I was waiting until August for the new questions, but I will do as per your instructions.
Ps:Just so that you know, I represent a large region. I am a Turkmen - Kurd - baloch - persian- South khorasani. Those I represent Iraq, Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan at the same time!! My very birth is the result
of a number of highly unlikely occurrences.
Also, what is wrong with scarce presence??
Lot of countries are underrepresented, ie, have scare presence. I said it may - or may not- help you. Your best step is to really learn what any target colleges are looking for. It’s generally not just who you are, your stats, your ethnic identity or mix.
I teach at a state college, not Michigan though.
Are you referrring to this comment?
" It matters where she used SCEA. If Harvard did not admit her, no one else will since they expect themselves to be first preference and if not, they don’t expect the student to show up with those stats."
I believe you are not understanding the comment.
The general rule is that:
An example - my son wanted to apply to an Ivy ED, but got poor first quarter (fall) grades in his senior classes. We spent some time wondering if he should apply to the Ivy or his first choice that was a non-Ivy. He decided that his grades were too poor to risk the Ivy, and applied to the other school. The other school did accept him, and he is very happy. And he is very convinced that if he applied to the Ivy ED, he might not have gotten in to his college RD because his senior grades were not that good.
So that is the point - not that Harvard is “telling other colleges you are no good” or “if you can’t get into Harvard, you can’t get into other colleges” - the point is that you might be throwing away a chance to get into Columbia or Dartmouth ED - which should give you a slight boost compared to RD (regular decision), and it will be tougher to get in RD to those schools (etc.)
And to be honest, I know kids who got into Princeton EA and Harvard EA, and they both applied to other Ivies and got into all they applied to. So it is not like the kids who apply SCEA to top Ivies are taking their SCEA - they actually often get smug and apply to other Ivies so they can pick - and you applying RD would be competing against them too RD.
Yes, thank you.
I have done some research on that matter, but I will get into more details. From what I understand, Harvard University wants students that are either well rounded or particularly strong in a field. I have also been led to believe that for Harvard, the essay is a significant factor, maybe even more important than standardized testing.
I am currently thinking about an essay that elaborates on why I chose this essay, and does portray a lot of my personal flaws and strengths. Will speaking of my perfectionism be held against me?
The last part of the previous post was not serious.
Harvard wants the VERY BEST students. My son’s friend won the Intel STS Prize. His other friend had done four years of research in high school and won state and national science competitions.
Remember that “well-rounded” = academics, sports, competitions all way above average. And if you are top 1% in your country, that is not important unless you are compared against other countries, preferably US or European countries.