CHANCES for International! (UPenn, MIT, Rice, Swarthmore)

MetdethGNR · 12-23-2008, 10:05 AM

Senior + nerves = chances thread.

Here it goes guys!

Applying to:
- Wharton @ UPenn
- MIT
- Rice
- Swarthmore

ALSO: I count as "Domestic International" because although I live in South Florida, I am not yet a citizen or permanent resident. I am in the waiting line for permanent residency.

- Female
- Hispanic
- South Florida
- Income: < 20,000
- Applying: Regular Decision Questbridge Finalist
- GPA: 3.7 UW / 4.6 W
- Rank: Top 5%
- SAT: 690 M / 700 R/ 740 W
- SAT 2: Math 1 670 / World Hist. 710 / Spanish 800
- ACT: 31
- APs: English Language (5) , Span. Lang. (5), Span. Literature (5), World History (5), U.S. Government (3)
- Senior courseload: AP American history, AP Calculus AB, AP Art Portfolio, AP Macroeconomics, AP English Literature.

(I ran out of APs to take in my school so they let me take IBs without been in the program: IB Theory of Knowledge, IB Chemistry 3, IB Biology 2)

I am also taking Anatomy & Physiology but that's an Honors course. That's my entire senior courseload. (I am taking the AP Chem and AP Micro exams as well)

- Awards:
AP Scholar with Distinction (First in my school in >6 years), Questbridge Finalist. Lots of minor awards in foreign language.

- ECs:
- President of my class for 2 years. Extremely dedicated. Means a lot to me. Wrote one of the essays on it.
- Individual research on ALS (Haven't really worked with anyone, but simply spent the year studying the disease on my own.) Wrote another essay on it.
- Lots of minor activities in politics (Wrote another essay on it)

- Interview (UPenn and MIT): Great.

- Hook?
When I first began high school, I was going to drop out (my family was always encouraging and supportive but my entire environment aka ghettoness said otherwise.) So in my transcript, my first semester of freshman year has the grades of a dropout. Wrote my Autobiographical essay on how I got to believe in myself and did a 180 turn. From sophomore year to senior year, I've taken at least 10 classes a year (at school, plus online, plus over the summer). Went from ranking in the bottom 50% to ranking in the top 5%

How do I stand? I am nervous because I really wanted at least a 700 in the SAT Math. Thank you guys!!!

Elrod · 12-23-2008, 10:36 AM

I think you better lower your sight a bit. There are several good schools in FL so make sure you apply to those as well.

sonicexx · 12-23-2008, 10:46 AM

I think you have a strong chances at Rice, because they seem like desperate in admitting intl this year, but you should be aware that they don't have need-based aid for intl, and your stats are low for merit-based.

MIT I think NO WAY

MetdethGNR · 12-23-2008, 11:26 AM

I see. Unfortunately I think it's too late to apply anywhere in FL and plus because I count as a "domestic international" I can only apply to private schools. The bigger the private schools, the higher the chance that I get financial aid.

Btw, I forgot to say that my order of preference is UPenn, MIT, Swarthmore, and lastly Rice.

fiona_ · 12-23-2008, 12:09 PM

I don't know about the no-way guys, I kind of like this poster

But, none of these schools are safeties for internationals requesting aid! :x

bdl108 · 12-23-2008, 12:26 PM

I think you should be fine for Rice. Swarthmore is so small and hard to get into... who knows. MIT I'd say no. I'd say that if you applied to whatever the arts and science school is at Penn, you might have a shot getting in there, but Wharton? possibly, but much less likely. I hope these aren't the only four schools you're applying to.

MetdethGNR · 12-23-2008, 01:20 PM

^ Oh god so far they are the only ones that I am applying to. I don't know where else... I want to study finance but perhaps also biology, I am not sure. What school is private and a match for me???

And I just noticed I made a mistake! For the SAT, my math score is a 660 not a 690. I know only makes it worse. =(

MetdethGNR · 12-23-2008, 06:48 PM

So is the general consensus:

UPenn= reach
MIT= no
Swarthmore= reach
Rice= yes

????

hmom5 · 12-23-2008, 07:08 PM

I know from years of watching Wharton admissions, a sub 700 math score will make it very, very difficult. heck under 750 makes it hard. Plus being an international needing aid at Penn also makes it very difficult.

There are lots of great schools you would have a great chance at, think about adding some.

Some schools, but it really depends on whether you need lots of aid or a little: NYU Stern, CMU, UVA, Emory, Vandy, Cornell.

Try posting on the parent's board for help. I'm concerned because it seems there is no safety here.