Hello! I am an International student. I will apply for Fall 2016 admissions for Undergraduate studies.
My current ACT score is 34/36.
My SAT Subject Test score is 1590/1600. (M2:790, Physics:800)
My AP Scores: 5/5 in Calculus BC, Physics C: Mechanics, and Physics C: E&M.
My area of Interest is CIVIL ENGINEERING.
I have written few Research Papers out of which three have been published in Science journal. I have a Patent (pending but near competition) for my two Building models. I have attended international conferences on Civil Engg, and have worked with professors on significant projects.
Stanford University is my dream school. Nothing can be better if I make into it. Doing “Research” is my main motivation.
I know that Stanford has a great emphasis on Research with good opportunities.
Plus, what lures me further is its perfect climate and setting.
Cornell University, however, doesn’t seem to be as great as Stanford in Research in Civil Engg (as I can infer after reading several blogs, and researching Universities’ website). Though Cornell is very amazing with an extensive range of activities in campus.
Stanford’s REA acceptance rate is around 10.8%, while ED acceptance rate of Cornell is 27.2%. It’s evident that if I get admitted in Cornell (ED), and in Stanford (RA), I will still need to drop Stanford.
Conversely, if I get accepted, luckily, in REA Stanford, no worries at all! That’d be just a perfect thing for me.
In my case, is it better to put an REA in Stanford or an ED in Cornell?
The question that I ask takes following factors into consideration:
Good Financial Aid.
Placements after completion of degree.
Quality of education of the Engineering College
Campus life in terms of diversity of activities (like music groups, badminton clubs, trek group).
I think if you have papers in Science you can pretty much go where you want.
Although it looks like you already got into Cal Poly SLO, UC Berkeley and UIUC and you were confused in April. I guess that did not clear. But look, some people dream their entire career to publish in Science so at least you are accomplished right? And the fact that you were selected to attend UC Berkeley in Fall 2015 to study ‘Sustainable Environmental Design’ has to feel like icing on the cake! congratulations!
DrGoogle, the OP says he or she got into UC Berkeley already and seems to have 3 publications in Science. So the OP may be attending and want to transfer?
The OP is already in school! The Op said he or she was already admitted to begin in Sept of 2015. OP then reported to be applying for Sept 2016. Which is correct?
You need to know the International admissions rate. It is probably not 10 or 27% EA or ED. And remember a high percentage of those pools include hooked applicants - legacies, recruited athletes, special admits, etc.
Apologies, @lostaccount and @DrGoogle , for I didn’t clarify on that.
I have deferred my UC Berkeley admission out of my family’s inability to fund the COA of Berkeley.
Though I became the UC Berkeley Leadership Award finalist, winning $2000 didn’t seem to help much.
So to avoid the same mistake, I will apply to colleges that provide aid this time.
Yes I have papers as I love nothing more thant Research. And hence I seek to go in a Research-oriented college to continue with my work.
MIT can be a perfect fit for me for it’s a Need-blind university, but Duh!! It accepts only 3 students/year from my country.
Uncertainty is so damn high!
I organize workshops in CE, attend CE conferences and give speeches, intern at USIEF (United States-India Educational Foundation), work on Hydroelectricity projects at country’s best CE institution, and do every other thing that I enjoy doing.
I can write great essays. My teachers and mentors hold high recommendations for me.
I have great extra-curricular activities.
I have done Community service countless times.
Still it’s so hard to let MIT and Stanford know why I can thrive and love the college well while studying there.
Can you hint me how can I narrow this uncertainty?