advice PLEASE!

asianprincess · 06-20-2007, 02:13 PM

i am

asian
international (living in colorado)
on H4 VISA
female (looking at engineering as a major)
money is not a problem (won't be applying for $aid)

now . . . with that said, are my chances at a top school WORSE than an asian (female) american with the same numbers (GPA and test scores) and ECs?

thank you!

issacnewton · 06-20-2007, 02:26 PM

Well, The adcoms knows lot more than you think. They know your position/situation. If you wish to compare yourself to an ''American citizen'' then forget about it. You are an international and you pool is separate then natives (Except some schools like Stanford). Now, having said that, your pool is a more competitive pool (Although it will be a bit less competitive if you are not asking for aid, in certain colleges) than American Citizen's pool.

asianprincess · 06-20-2007, 02:51 PM

adcoms?
as in admissions office?

so . . . my competition: students from the country i was born (where i have citizenship) not my asian friends from school?

b@r!um · 06-20-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

my competition: students from the country i was born (where i have citizenship) not my asian friends from school?

Basically, yes.

Jrock · 06-20-2007, 09:37 PM

Not really guys - they take everything into consideration - especially the fact that you're not living in your country, even if they'll compare you with people from there. The whole thing is complicated, and no one really knows. Don't WORRY about your chances, etc. Apply where you see fit.

adcom = admissions committee.

issacnewton · 06-21-2007, 04:18 AM

Yeah, no one really knows, just a handful of experience. A good point indeed!...

..

asianprincess · 06-21-2007, 12:29 PM

so . . . should i take the TOEFL even though i've lived in colorado since i was 9? just to provide the college with a number to compare me to other international students?

issacnewton · 06-21-2007, 12:53 PM

I don't think that you are required to take TOEFL at all! Generally, int'ls are NOT ''required'' to take TOEFL at many universities...Provided, you have 600/650+ in SAT CR (it varies with university to university), i.e., they will waive you TOEFL with the above SAT CR score...

shail619 · 06-21-2007, 01:54 PM

If you're not applying for aid..it takes you to a completely different and obviously a lot lesser competitive pool right away....and being an 'international' not seeking aid will do more than good to your chances... (considering the fact than u have 'fair enuf' academic portfolio)...

asianprincess · 06-21-2007, 01:54 PM

so . . . even though i don't HAVE TO take the TOEFL, should I?? would it up my chances if i get a good score?

asianprincess · 06-21-2007, 01:56 PM

shail619 . . .

but isn't it still harder for me since most top colleges have a limited number of spots for internationals? should i consider applying somewhere early?

shail619 · 06-21-2007, 01:57 PM

I don't think toefl ultimately decides your admission decision..I mean as far as i am concerned..it is just to prove that u have a workable english that's all...just make sure to get the score which falls in the adcoms range...

asianprincess · 06-21-2007, 01:58 PM

so, i shouldn't take it, if say . . . my SAT I score right now is a 2000 and i'll (hopefully) get a 2200 on the next one?

shail619 · 06-21-2007, 01:59 PM

well.. basically there are limited number of spots for internationals..but it is more governed by the fact that 'usually' international students seek aid (and a lot of it as well)...and even these 'big' schools don't have unlimited supply of funds to grant admission to many intels....

shail619 · 06-21-2007, 02:01 PM

If u are indeed not going to apply for aid...I presume u are financially sound..so why not take the toefl?..coz
#1... It isn't that much of a fuss coz the test itself is pretty easy
#2....Money isn't a problem is a problem for you (which is usually for most intels)..

So my suggestion would be..take the test and be cool