Will I be in a disadvantage?

Applying to College
1

Hey guys,
I am a high school junior.
I am studying the Karnataka state board ( PU BOARD ). I did THE ICSE board till my 10th. And I have to taken the
PU board as I had no other option and my parents couldn’t afford to move to another city for my high school. So will I be in a disadvantage while I apply to colleges in the US? I AM REALLY WORRIED! I can’t take the APs either because of my financial situation. Any advice or suggestions?
P.S - I BADLY WANT TO STUDY IN THE US FOR MY UNDERGRAD .

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All Indian applicants are at a disadvantage. You are not more disadvantaged.

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For US universities, those who are not US citizens or permanent residents will typically be at a disadvantage for admissions, financial aid, and scholarships, although the specifics vary by university.

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The acceptance rate at some elite colleges is less than 5% for international students.

What colleges are you inquiring about?

5

Students from over-represented countries (such as India) who need aid are at a disadvantage in terms of acceptances from US colleges. When the time comes be sure to explore some of the many fine options in your home country as well.

3 Likes
6

We are at an disadvantage. So I would suggest strengthening the other aspects of your application… Academics are not everything and because of Covid I am sure they will understand the situation

7

Hey thank you for the reply. I was enquiring if I’d be in disadvantage among Indian applicants .
The colleges I’m planning for are
Dream- Stanford , Duke, UPenn
Match - UBC, U Colorado and a few colleges
Safties - a hella lot.

Thanks.

PS- I’ve taken a lot of Coursera certificate courses . Will that show them I’m academically strong?.

8

Thanks for the reply .
Yes I have them as safeties .

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Thanks for the reply

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Should I make a rate me thread. So that you can look at my stats and ecs and suggest / advice me how I could make my application standout.

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When you apply as an international student from India, your application will be reviewed alongside others from your region. There are TONS of very well qualified applicants from India applying to the colleges on your list.

The acceptance rate is in the single digit…that means 90% or more who apply do not get accepted.

Stanford, Duke and UPenn are need aware for international students. This means that your level of financial need will be considered when your application for admission is reviewed.

How much can your family spend on your college education every year? Also, what do you plan to do after you graduate because getting a job here (and a visa change) is not guaranteed.

12

Hey thanks for the reply .
Yes I know they are need aware .
Yes I know how competitive it is to get accepted from countries like India / China .
USC has one of my dream programs the iovine and young academy and upenn has m&t . For my graduate studies I dream of getting a MBA from INSEAD and I want to run my own business in fashion industry after working for a while .
My parents income is less than 5lacs per annum so I will have to take loans if I don’t get a scholarship. My safeties are Ashoka university where I am sure I will get a full tuition scholarship through India scholars program.

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Where do you think these loans are going to come from??

Good that you have an affordable safety!

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maybe from a bank or from the college . If that’s not possible then my Relatives are ready to fund me a ( grandma and grandpa ) who are pretty rich ( basically millionaires ) . The only reason I don’t want them to fund my studies is because my self- esteem?(idk what you call that).

15

What bank? It won’t be on in the United States. Most colleges here don’t have loans for this. For those colleges that don’t meet full need, you are looking at a TON of money each year in loans.

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16

Thanks for the reply
That is why I have Ashoka university as a safety .
I would be studying in the US only if I receive scholarship / financial aid .

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Glad that you have an affordable backup plan.

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Unless your grandparents are willing to fund your education, I would take schools like U of Colorado off your list. With a family income around 7k USD/year, your options are limited in the US.

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I Hate to admit this… I am also a junior and applicant to US colleges… Firstly, With your financial income you can opt for a fee waiver to almost every college… abuse that and apply to like a ■■■■ ton private colleges that have aid for international students(all you need is a waitlist at a college like Cornell or Dartmouth)… Secondly I also study the TSIBE (Telangana State board) and I dont think your board matters…and personally I think its an advantage because its easy to score in State Board and US colleges have very little to okish knowledge about boards… So you in general are not in a disadvantage but in general Indians are at a disadantage

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Also SAT matters atleast for you at this stage…