What are my chances?

cc8912
Sat, 17 Jun 2017 08:53:36 +0000

I would never consider schools with an acceptance rate in the 30s as safeties, especially since you are applying internationally. Moreover, having test scores in the 75th percentile range does not make a school a safety – for example, I got a 34 on the ACT, which is the 75th percentile for UPenn, but in no way do I consider UPenn a safety, nor should I.

I’m sure there are schools with lower acceptance rates (think around 50-70) that would offer the aid you need – you have the stats, but you just need to find the schools that are willing to offer such high amounts of aid to international students. I will admit I have very limited knowledge about this, but I’m sure you will find a few if you do a bit of research.

As for the SAT, a tutor is not necessary, nor is one worth your money – the only way for you to improve is to practice. Because you already have a 680 in R/W, there isn’t much information that you don’t know or understand, so practice is really the only thing that can help.

For EC’s, working in the summer would help – try looking for something that aligns with your major, and if you can tie in a volunteering aspect too, that’s even better.

(BTW – UCLA and many public state schools don’t provide aid to out of state applicants in general, not only international students. You should without a doubt avoid these schools.)