<p>You are missing our point. Universities are not selective because they ask for the material, but they ask for the material because they are selective. Selectivity (is that a word?) comes from the quality of teaching. There are incredible selective colleges in the EU who couldnt give less of a crap about your ECs or the adversities you faced.</p>
<p>But I wouldn’t go through the whole process in the US if i wouldn’t think it was worth the work. I like the wholistic approach. </p>
<p>But you asked whether it was easier outside, and yes, it definetly is. I’m not saying it’s better, but easier.
I would say that the top 75 institutions are internationally competative and worth the effort for an international student. Anything below that you wont find a job here. There aren’t any Ivy-schools around my area, but 90% of them are up par with us state-flagships.</p>
<p>Again, I like the approach, but it really is a whole lot of work for something as comparably unimportant (over here) as the name of your college.</p>