Hi all. I am an international student from Pakistan. I have a 1940 on the SAT and AAB in GCE A Levels. I have been actively involved in writing related extracurricular activities and some volunteer work. I can write decent essays and get good letters of recommendations from people who know me on a personal level. As an international student I have little information on which colleges would be the best matches for me so I need some opinions on whether my college list is fine. Also please feel free to suggest other schools which you think may be a good fit for me. Basically I want to apply to research universities with solid business programs. My top choice is currently Tulane in Louisiana. I am also applying to Union College in New York. It is not a research university per se but it does offer a business concentration as part of a joint program with Union University Graduate School. Also, a 1940 SAT is on the lower side of the average for both these colleges, so should I submit my score? Please help me decide. Thanks!
Are you a boy or a girl? What do you intend to study in college? How much can your parents afford?
These three questions will affect answers we can provide 
@MYOS1634 Hello! I’m a girl and intend to major in Marketing. I have managed to secure a scholarship which will cover my full cost of attendance. What do you think?
“should I submit my [SAT] score?”
Union recommends the submission of scores for international applicants for whom English is not their first language.
Tulane is not SAT optional.
You have a government or private scholarships that covers all costs (tuition, fees, room, board, books) regardless of the amount?
In any case yes you should take the SAT because a lot of universities require it.
A girl from Pakistan will definitely interest all the women’s colleges. (Don’t worry, you will still meet boys, they just don’t live in your dorm and in some classes aren’t in class with you, while in other cases they’re in class too.)
Wellesley, Barnard, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Bryn Mawr, are all superb (well above Union at least) and, for most of them, better than Tulane academically even if socially it’s very different.
I wouldn’t regard the women’s colleges mentioned, at least as considered as a group, as being on a higher level than Union academically.
I’d consider the Seven (six) Sisters a bit more prestigious. YMMV.
More importantly, Wellesley (Brandeis, Babson, and MIT), Barnard (Columbia), MoHo (5 Colleges), and Bryn Mawr (Swat, Haverford, Penn) have an advantage in belonging to consortiums that allow easy cross-registration.
MoHo and Bryn Mawr have more than three times the percentage of international students as Union (7% vs. ~25%), and Barnard is located in located in one of the most diverse cities in the world – perhaps something to consider as an international student.
Union has a reputation as a hard partying school (strong Greek culture, heavy drinking). Is that what you want? Consider Dickinson – diverse student body and offers an international business major. Mount Holyoke is in range for you and has a beautiful campus with good focus on academics, but no business major.
You would have to confirm their test score ranges, but Ithaca College or James Madison might be options. Both are supposed to have decent business majors. Muhlenberg is another one to look at.
@merc81 Tulane is SAT optional for international students.
@MYOS1634 A private scholarship, yes. These places you suggest are all liberal arts colleges, and I am looking to go to a more research oriented business school.
@warblersrule and @intparent again, I do not want to apply to LACs.
Based on my above stats, do I stand a chance at U of Rochester?
You would have a chance at UR and the school is a good fit for the interests you have expressed so far. Rochester’s “most selective” status (US News) does make it a reach for many students, however.
You came in with 2 colleges on your list, and one was an LAC. One probably not very well suited to you, I suspect.
What do you think you will get from a “research oriented business school”? I have a BBA from one of the top undergrad business schools in the U.S. (Ross at UMichigan), and an MBA from another large research university as well. Research being done by PhD students has very, very little impact on an undergrad business student’s life. It doesn’t make sense to me as a reason to pick a business school.
Often international students want large research universities because people have heard of them back home. But honestly, your stats aren’t strong enough for those very top schools. So why not look at LACs? They are more focused on undergrad teaching.
Look at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
@merc81 Right, I see. Thanks!
@intparent I find that LACs are too small for my liking, but I am willing to look them up if they offer a business concentration. What do you think of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY?
@gandalf78 honestly, I have never heard of it before. Does it offer a decent business program?
Business is one of the most popular majors at Skidmore. No Greek life on campus. Seems to be in your SAT range, although you didn’t give the breakdown to be sure. Skidmore is very expensive, you should verify that your scholarship will cover the full cost of their tuition, room, board, and fees. You need to somehow cover travel (and the dorms on US campuses close for about a month at winter break, so include that) and books. You also likely will be required to purchase health insurance through whatever college you attend (I have seen costs from about $1,000 to $2,000 per school, but you will have to look at each one). And you will need some spending money.
Is there any way you can get a copy of the Fiske Guide to Colleges book? I think it would really help you get a feel for all these schools. Even a copy that is a few years old is fine for the write ups on campus vibe, academic strengths, etc.
Beyond the availability of a business concentration, Skidmore offers a great town. The school’s gender imbalance is obviously less than that of some of the women’s schools mentioned. Typically, about a quarter of Skidmore’s students manifest an artsy veneer. A nice school overall, and a pretty good bet for admissions for you.
I visited Union with my D a few years ago and I really don’t think they have a business program. And I’d be surprised if Union College in NY is affiliated with Union University. Plus Union College in NY is a LAC. Double check that it is a good fit for you.
Agree with getting you hands on Fiske or another college guide book if possible (Insiders Guide, Princeton Review are good as well)
Tulane is a good choice. Start researching schools on the list below that are academic matches. Maybe NYU (as a reach)? Lehigh? Fordham? BU? Northeastern? Villanova? There are tons of choices. http://poetsandquantsforundergrads.com/2014/07/01/2014-pq-ranking-of-the-best-undergraduate-business-programs/
Though the similarity in names appears to be a coincidence, Union College does have a relationship with Union University.
@intparent my SAT breakdown is: 680 M, 580 CR, 680 W.
I will try and get Fiske, but I know we definitely have Princeton Review in the school library. Thanks!
@merc81 thanks!
@happy1 merc81 is right. Union Univ is indeed affiliated with Union College. Thank you for all your suggestions. I am definitely going to look those up.
@happy1 can you tell me more about specifically the business program at BU? Does it have a good standing with employers? Also do you think I will stand a reasonable chance at BC if I apply? Thanks!
You might also look at George Washington and American in DC.