<p>Truthfully, I’ve been a College Confidential lurker since 8th Grade- I used to search these chances threads for ideas and avidly layout my perfect plan for the next four years- and then I started high school. And I’m going to be pretty honest- I sucked at my high school and it has been literally been one of the worst times of my life. Sorry for being so dramatic but I attend a competitive magnet academy in the Northeast and I’ve just been unable to get it together and succeed in science and math subjects (Cs and Bs respectively), being very much inclined towards the social sciences and humanities. </p>
<p>Now, I am positive I will find success at any college with hard work and determination, but I would really love to go to a college where most students have a passion for learning and create a community that I will enjoy being a part of for 4 years. My bad gpa and financial need as an international living in the US will probably keep me out of top colleges, but I would like to give it a shot at some top colleges because I think I owe it to myself, and mostly my parents, to see if I can still get the kind of college experience I dreamed for myself despite the obstacles.</p>
<p>I don't want to make this too much of a chance thread but so you have some background about how my academics are. I have a 3.3 GPA unweighted, a 2200 SAT super-scored, high subject test scores, and a 5 in APUSH. I'm a middle class South Asian Female from the Northeast. My ecs refuse to be summarized and are listed below, and my essays and recs are pretty good at transporting the best possible me to the decisions table.</p>
<p>And finally…the schools I have on my list:</p>
<p>Brown*
U of Chicago EA
Dartmouth*
Cornell*
Barnard*
Wellesley
George Washington
Babson
Washington and Lee
NYU
Bryn Mawr
McGill
George Mason
State School</p>
<p>*4-way tie when contemplating ED</p>
<p>I know, an almost ludicrous list for someone who knows her shortcomings very well, but I know I should spend my time and money on these apps, for my first couple schools especially, so I don’t waste time wondering if I could have been somewhere else my first year of college. I am sending this out into the internet universe just to see if someone identifies with my situation or can offer me some real advice during this stressful application time. I am open to suggestions and/or criticisms. I really just want to make sure that I'm doing everything in my ability to get the kind of education I want and after that, it's all up to them. Lastly, I want to make sure: Am I applying to the right schools? Do I leave room for enough choices after my several potential and probable rejections? If any wonderful people out there would mind helping me out, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>For someone who claims to have been lurking on CC since the 8th grade, you certainly didn’t learn any lessons about what it would take to get into the schools on the top of your list. I suppose anything is possible, and you might have a shot at some of the schools on your list, toward the bottom, but taken as a whole, this might be the most unrealistic self-appraisal ever.</p>
<p>Your best hope will be take take your admirable test score and apply it to schools where you well exceed the 75% level. That may compensate for your GPA and what appears to be somewhat weak curriculum. From your list, George Mason (and similar schools) would appear to be a good candidate.</p>
<p>The problem you, and a lot of students have, is thinking that one test scores (or scores) can make up for 4 years of average work. Far too many of your fellow students (even South Asian females) will come in with much more solid coursework for your SAT score to come into play at the elite schools you seek. </p>
<p>You’ll notice that even some elite colleges are test optional. Note that none of them are GPA optional.</p>
<p>Does your school have a Naviance? How do your numbers play out there?
Do you know the (approximate) average GPA at your school? Where do average students from your school go?
I think being slanted helps more than if you had B+s across the board, but that’s just the feeling I got from anecdotal evidence, although Cs will obviously be a red flag. Are the Cs limited to the beginning of your high school career? Do you have an upward trend in grades? </p>
<p>I believe UChicago is known to take risks like admitting students on the low end of the GPA spectrum. If you are indeed well read, inquisitive, worldly, and have something of substance to say, put some time into UChicago essays and I think you have a shot. </p>
<p>Babson is known for its business school and stands out from your list a bit. </p>
<p>I can tell you my cousin got into McGill with a slightly better GPA and worse SATs. </p>
<p>NYU has abysmal financial aid, so be prepared to be disappointed if you get in. </p>
<p>I think as it stands, your list is top heavy, which is okay if you would be happy at your safety school. </p>
<p>I looked at the Naviance of my brother’s high school, which is also very competitive, and your stats would put you in the match range for Scripps, Mount Holyoke, and Bard. The first two meet 100% need, according to US News.</p>
<p>This is not aimed necessarily at the OP, but whenever I read posts like this, I want to scream out…Not every kid should go to an Ivy League (or top level) school…Even if they can get in.</p>
<p>“bad gpa and financial need as an international”</p>
<p>A 3.3 is not fatal, but the financial issues could be. So this is what we need to know to help you:</p>
<p>How big, exactly is the financial need?</p>
<p>If you have been lurking for as long as you claim, surely you know that there is not all that much money out there for international applicants. You probably also know that for a full pay international, what would be a Match for a US applicant is a reach, and that what would be a safety for a US applicant is more like a match. Sit your parents down. Find out what they can pay. Go have a talk with your guidance counselor, and find out whether that person knows anything at all about helping international applicants find affordable places to study.</p>
<p>And have a nice long chat with your parents’ immigration lawyer about the visa you currently hold. Can you study in the US on that visa, or will you need to convert it to an F1?</p>