What advantages do published authors have?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello all.</p>

<p>Okay so I just gave my A Levels and I am planning on taking a gap year (either that, or attending a local university and applying as a transfer student next year). I really have average grades, maybe even below. Here are my stats.</p>

<p>O Levels – 5 A’s 3 B’s
A Levels transcript – A* A B B
SAT 1 – 2090. Plan on retaking and taking SAT subjects tests, as well.
Really good ECs and notable social work. </p>

<p>Now, I am in the process of publishing a book I have been working on for two years (Really, really fond of writing since ever; always top 1% in English Language, GP and Literature classes and have an 800 on SAT writing). I have heard that published authors get advantages in big universities but I do not know much about this. Can anyone tell me which colleges have, in the past, accepted published authors with not-so-good grades? Can you people please help me choose the universities I should apply to?</p>

<p>Also, I am from India and I need near-full financial aid. Do I stand any chance? I am okay with harsh replies, I just need honest guidance.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any replies.</p>

2

<p>“I am from India and I need near-full financial aid.”</p>

<p>If you are interested in studying in the US, do not take any classes next year. Financial aid for transfers is hard to come by, as is near-full aid for internationals. This means that the likelihood of you receiving the aid that you would need is vanishingly small.</p>

<p>Happydad writes in his spare time and has one set of short stories for sale through Kindle-Amazon. He has another set that is ready to go whenever he has the time to upload it. We know of scads of other people who also are published that way. Unless your work is significant enough to attract the attention of a print publisher, I doubt if writing a book will be significant enough to get you admitted. It will probably just be another very serious extra-curricular activity.</p>

<p>Your biggest issue is the need for nearly full aid. That is hard to come by. There is a very short list of institutions that offer guaranteed merit-based aid that also offer that aid to international students. Start with this thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html?highlight=bobwallace[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html?highlight=bobwallace&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>There are many more places that offer at least one really huge scholarship package to an international student every year. Some are smaller places that you have never heard of. b@r!um who posts in the international students forum has written about her strategies for finding the money she needed. As soon as you have enough posts to send a PM, you should write her and get her advice. As I recall, she researched some 300 places until she found the ones that would work for her.</p>

<p>Lastly, you need to read through everything at <a href=“https://www.educationusa.info/[/url]”>https://www.educationusa.info/&lt;/a&gt; Then contact the counselors at the advising the center closest to you. There are several in India. <a href=“https://www.educationusa.info/India[/url]”>https://www.educationusa.info/India&lt;/a&gt; Those counselors will be able to help you evaluate your options.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>

3

<p>Your biggest problem is that your grades are not stellar AND you need fill finaid. As a international student, if someone is going to offer you full finaid, you need to be worth it, and quite frankly, your grades are just not there. While a publication is certainly something colleges do not take lightly, it doesn’t help solve the problem of the grade deficiency. If you need full finaid, your chances at getting into a US institution are going to be very, very miniscule.</p>