early action for international students?

viduka90 · 10-11-2008, 10:48 PM

hi,

i was thinking of applying early action to Stanford. here are my details

nationality = Malaysian
age = 18

academics
SAT 1 = 2120 ( retook, probably will get 2200+)
SAT 2 = 2360 ( 800 phys 800 chem 760 math lvl 2)
SPM (o levels) = 11 a1 1a2
a levels ( predicted ) = 5A's
secondary school - best science stream student, best chemistry student, 1st in class and school
received high distinction in the Malaysian National Chemistry Quiz
top 9 % in the world for the Euclid Mathematics Competition
current ranking in A levels = 21st out of 800+ students

EC
tennis - state tennis player, gold medal in inter district competition,
cricket/Chess/hockey - school player
Scrabble - state scrabble player for 2 years, won inter district competition
Clubs - President of tennis club, founder/Vice president of Cricket Club, Committee member for Student Council, Vice President of the Interact Club, Asst Treasurer for the English Language Society, Prominent Member of Scouts,
Awards - Excellent Leadership Award by school, awarded School Colors for contributions in tennis

Community Service
organized a charity concert in my local district - raked 20k in profits which were channeled to a charitable organization
tutor for chemistry at school
did many charity work with the interact club ( organization sponsored by rotary international )

essays - good
teacher evaluations - great
counselors - great

I am just wondering whether it is advisable for international students to apply early action to Stanford. I heard that early action at Stanford is very competitive and that a person really has to stand out in the pool. I am not sure whether i stand out well. And I am also an international student, which i think will definately lower my chances. I am still undecided on the financial aid, my parents will be making a decision soon.

so do you think that I should apply early action or regular decision?
and will it kill my application to apply for aid?

Thanks

frankchn · 10-11-2008, 11:19 PM

The same goes for regular decision in the international pool at HYPSM, so if Stanford is your first choice, then by all means apply SCEA to Stanford to indicate your interest.

viduka90 · 10-11-2008, 11:22 PM

but actually, MIT is my first choice. but it does not offer early action to international students.
hence I am thinking of applying early to Stanford.

But do you think I stand a chance?

brankocerny · 10-12-2008, 07:13 AM

I think this all's been said a hundred times already - your stats are good enough to 'qualify'. Now you are in a competitive pool of about 15 000 out of the 25 000 aplying. Then, being a URM, your chances go up and that would probably mean the Adcoms will take you as a serious applicant. Then, it's merely a matter of luck (aren't there 5 Malaysian kids with better stats and essays? aren't your ECs same as those of a candidate that has already been admitted etc.) I have similar stats, come from the Czech Rep and am aiming for HYPS too, so good luck

fiona_ · 10-12-2008, 07:22 AM

He's not a URM.

Just apply. Nothing bad can come out of applying SCEA vs RD.

cicatrix · 10-14-2008, 07:37 AM

Just apply!!!!

And if you wont apply for aid....you should apply definitely....without a second thought

I've got poor stats compared to yours believe me. I'm from Nepal and we don't have international competitions in maths and science and I'm not so good in sports.2Bs and 3As , 2160 SAT2 and 2080 SAT1. My ECs and recommendations are good though. And I am applying for aid....that greatly reduces my chance.But I am ready to take the risk. So go on, if you trust yourself just hit it!!!!
Good luck!!

cbreeze · 10-15-2008, 12:08 AM

Just remember, Stanford is among many colleges which states clearly that as an international student, if you apply for aid, your chance of being accepted is lowered.

From Stanford website

Quote:

Stanford has a limited amount of financial aid for international students (students who are neither U.S. Citizens nor registered U.S. Permanent Residents), and the need for aid will be a major factor in your admission decision. You must indicate on the Stanford Supplement to the Common Application whether or not you intend to apply for financial aid and also must indicate how much money you have available per year for your educational and living expenses.

scarecrowluv · 10-19-2008, 07:46 PM

On Comm App, should I check "intend to apply for Financial Aid" on general?
I thought the financial aid is only for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. But what about merit scholarships?

legend.dracula · 10-20-2008, 03:29 AM

I have a question about the admission. Do I have to send certification of finances BEFORE the admission deadline or AFTER I am admitted to a college ?

fiona_ · 10-20-2008, 07:04 AM

1. No merit aid for Stanford
2. It offers limited need-based aid for internationals