Academic Background:
- Class 9: Approximately 75%
- Class 10: Approximately 88-93% (excluding Hindi)
- Class 11: Approximately 82%
- Class 12 (Predicted): Approximately 90%
- Unweighted GPA Equivalent: ~3.7
Extracurricular Activities & Leadership:
- Developed an AI-based attendance system to automate and improve school attendance tracking
- Created a machine learning stock prediction model leveraging data analysis techniques
- Built a physics model demonstrating the photoelectric effect
- Produced and directed short films showcasing creative storytelling
- Designed and developed indie video games exploring interactive media
- Completed the IIT Madras online electronics course, deepening technical knowledge
- Served as a school prefect, leading and supporting student initiatives
- Organized and led a charity fundraiser, demonstrating community engagement and leadership
- Achieved 1st place in the school Battle of Bands, illustrating teamwork and talent
- Completed Harvard University’s CS50 Introduction to Computer Science course
- Completed an IBM professional course on relevant technical skills
- Selected for and participated in the World Teen Parliament program, gaining global leadership experience
Many colleges have financial aid.
What can you afford per year?
You are a great candidate - congratulations on awesome ECs and excellent grades.
However, considering you’re likely to apply to an overcrowded field (CS) from an over represented country, you start at a disadvantage. Add the fact you need financial aid and your odds are necessarily low.
How much can your parents afford?
The US is no longer very welcoming to international students politically - right now, thousands and thousands are being blocked due to visa processing.
At the same time, the government contracts which paid professors to complete research have been withdrawn (cut), meaning universities have less money. So they will have to prioritize their university and American students. It’s going to be very very difficult for internationals who need money.
Lafayette is one of the colleges that is least dependent on government money. They’re topnotch for STEM. So you might want to try there.
You could also try and get a merit scholarship based on your SAT score - universities like Troy in Alabama, SUNY Plattsburgh… Have big scholarships though until we know how much your parents can afford I’m not certain that’d be enough.
But I’d consider universities in Canada, starting with Waterloo (apply early on and mention your ECs in the scholarship essay), and you can try for UToronto 's Pearson scholarship (full ride but highly competitive); in the UK, UEdinburgh has an excellent CS (AI) program and you can look into Stirling, Strathclyde, Aberdeen, Herriot Watts since they should be less expensive than Imperial or other London universities.
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Agree. Do you have other options, besides the US, in your country and/or Europe? Asking for aid is problematic at this time.
The universities have tightened their belts and are going to have to limit their funds and focus on labor costs and maintenance of their campuses.
Speak to your parents about your budget and then target universities based on that number. Good luck!
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thanks a lot sir even ECE is fine with me
is it possible for me to get into any of the ivies, like duke or Cornell?
For starters, Duke isn’t an Ivy League school. Both of those schools are need aware for international students. With a 3.7 GPA, I don’t think there is any chance at that level of school. Unless you are a future first round NBA draft pick. Sorry.
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Did you calculate this yourself by dividing your average score out of 100 by 25?
That usually doesn’t work because the marking system in your country is likely very different from the US. Don’t convert your score - the admissions officers will know how to interpret your original scores. Are you the top student in your school? In your region?
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Replying because your other thread that was closed specifically listed Tulane.
They remain test optional so I wouldn’t worry about SAT too much with this application.
Tulane is very heavy on demonstrated interest and continues to take most of their student body through the Early Decision round (binding). For International Students they list on their website that they offer “up to $30K in need-based financial assistance to international students that qualify”. With a list price of over $90K that would leave any international student needing to come up with at least $60K/year. If that’s not you I’d probably scratch them off your list.
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What can your parents afford per year, out of pocket (from income&savings)?
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Exactly.
University admissions will have someone on their staff who understands the typical grading scales used in your country. Your grades will be compared to other students who are studying under a similar system.
Which leads to the obvious question: How do your grades compare to other students in the country where you are attending high school, and to other students at your high school?