The Indian Thread (TiT) # 14

[smartmind]

Nothing i think is average above average there ... while giving your app..points u may a point more ..but not a big diff. i know.....

[smartmind]

i ve got a question though .. what are the forms u generally hav to fill in for fin aid and what dupporting docs do we hav to provide......giv detials guys...who know it ofcourse......and any tips and tricks here.......

[asaatvik]

well, i look at this way, I'm applying to 20-22 colleges all over the world, 15 in the US

if i can't get even one app perfect and ready by Nov 1st there is absolutely no way I can do 15 apps by Jan 1st. i can't really (and don't want to) recycle essays, so I'm gonna work my ass of till 1st Nov to meet the EA deadline.

I still think it makes sense cause I have like 1 and a half months to polish my app!

Stats follow in another post (no this is not to increase my post count! lol, just for better organization).

[asaatvik]

BTW, I'm applying to:

US:

Reaches:

HYPSM
Duke
Cornell
Caltech
UPenn
Brown
Northwestern

Safeties (I hope so!):
Purdue
USC
Rice

UK:

Oxford
Imperial Coll
Edinburgh
Manchester
LSE
University College London

Canada:

UWaterloo
UToronto

Singapore:
NUS
NTU

I'm applying for Comp. Sc.

stats follow

[asaatvik]

SAT I – 2270 (Math-800, Critical Reading-730, Writing-740)
SAT II – Will take in Oct., 2005
Top of my class

International Level
 In 2004, spent 12 days at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Worked with the Panoramic Camera Team of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission to calibrate LIVE images sent by the Rover “Spirit”. Continued work on return to India, calibrating over 700 images in all. Received extensive coverage in national and international media.
 Team Leader of 12-member school team adjudged Runners-up at the Asian finals of the “International Space Settlement Design Competition” to design an “Earth Orbit Settlement”. Invited to Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore to discuss the design.

National Level
 In 2005, stood 8th in the “National Olympiad in Informatics” at the 15 day intensive training camp to select the Indian team for the International Olympiad in Informatics.
 In 2004, received the Government of India’s “National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement” for excellence in General Science, Computer Science & Space Science.
 In 2005, selected in the top 15 scientific papers of the country in the “Dupont India Science Challenge 2005” and in top 100 papers in 2004.
 In 2003, received the Infosys Foundation’s “Original Mind Award” for Computer Science.

State Level
 Delhi State “Junior Science Talent Search Scholar” in Grade 9.
 Won State-Level basketball tournament in 2002 (as Captain) & 2003 as part of school team.

School Level
 Total ‘fee-waiver’ in last three years of High School for Academic Performance
 “Best All Round Student” in first three years of High School.
 “President’s Scholar” for academic excellence in Grade 10.
 “Outstanding Academic Performance Scholar” in Grades 10 & 11.
 Recipient of “Dhananjay Mohan Cup” for “Science creativity and innovation” in 2004, awarded to Best Science Student in School
 President of Student Council in 2005
 School Ambassador in 2004
 As President (for 4 years) & Founder of the Computer Club, implemented SETI@Home on the school computer network
 President of Quiz Club for 4 years
 President and Founder of Space Science Club

Miscellaneous
6 Years of German Language including 2 years in High School
Over 150 hours of Community Service
School Basketball Team member for 5 years, including 3 years in High School
Played Guitar for 1.5 years with a few recordings
Invested in the stock market, made a profit of 20%
3-minute Animation film on world peace exhibited at Inter-School Animation Film Festival
Performed street plays to promote Environment and Pollution awareness

NOW I OBVIOUSLY CAN"T PUT ALL THAT STUFF! SO MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME DECIDE WHAT TO INCLUDE AND WHAT TO LEAVE OUT! WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MORE IMPORTANT?

[edit] Obviously, I'm applying for aid...

[aaron56]

Rice a safety?

anyway, u've grrrreat stats! why apply to 22?? u'll probably have a hard time selecting from among the colleges you are admitted to!

[asaatvik]

umm, don't know about rice
i thought it wasn't all that good. maybe it's not a safety as you say!
i seriously doubt i'll have a hard time 'selecting' colleges!

[sachit]

man.....ur stats rock!!! especially ur EC's!!!!

[aaron56]

"spent 12 days at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory" ... i'm jealous ..lol

[vampiro]

well...the 17000 bucks thingy I'd better post on Stanford's forum.

Asaatvik its your choice I just gave my opinion and what I was doing.
Say you want to do Comp Sc. but your interest looks to be towards astronomy so why not go for Aerospace or Aeronautical.

And guys what are your takes on the changed IIT JEE pattern.

[smartmind]

i am preparing for the new iit jee and feel the new one is awesome... I already had a very decent preparation for old one.but the changed apttern is definitely better. More analytical and innovative testing... and better rules..... Overall cool.......

And astaavik........ Believe me or not. i see u getting admitted to all the best ones but listen ...u may be rejected at Medium tier.... Coz of Overqualification.... No need to shorten Anything. Write it all.... Seeing the things in it...it would be ok

[asaatvik]

hey vampiro - no hard feelings man!

well i was into space and all earlier but now after the IOI (intl. olymp in informatics) training camp I really wanna do Comp. Sc.

[ronty007]

asaatvik, u r the perfect candidate for MIT....
U r 100% in there...
Great stats ...... btw, u r from which school?

[ronty007]

Do UK Universities, excluding Oxbridge, offer need based aid? I seriously doubt. have u already passed ur 12?

[ronty007]

So u r Saatvik Agarwal...I searched about you on the net, and i was dumb struck on seeing the search results. You are already a Superstar.