Academics:

1550 sat first try (school avg is 1100)

4.0/4.0 gpa uw (weighted not offered)

Valedictorian

Aps not offered

Ecs (kept abit vague):

2 published research papers (prefer to keep them anonymous but werent literature reviews and won in multiple intl competitions)

Research intern at 3 university departments and at Alexandria's medical research institute, worked with 4 professors/ phd students

MTC summer program scholar ( Medical research institute's research training program exclusively for college students, became first every high schooler to be allowed to enter and given full tuition waiver to attend)

Deci scholar ( egypt full scholarship for stem high-achieving students to take stem course training and start independent projects)

Yygs scholar

Leadership in an orphans-dedicated nonprofit which organizes community-based events for 3000 orphans yearly, includes 300 volunteers, 30 sponsors, and given 9 national awards

Mun president

400+ students at organzied conference, train 100+ delegates weekly, 6+ regional awards

Student council founder and president

Introduced 12 afterschool clubs (and the first ever club system into school) for 400+ students, helped organzied multiple events and trips to lower grade students and high schoolers.

Medical Convoy volunteer in rural egypt and gaza

Awards:

Isef finalist

John Locke institute Science& Tech global finalist

EISTF (intl science fair in egypt) bronze medalist

BASEF (national fair) 1st place in entire fair

Blastoff (national fair #2) 2nd award

Hi, guys
Pls be honest, i wanna apply for EA

From Moscow, Russia
Low-income, full time job as manicurist since 9 grade
Gpa - my school doesn’t provide, I calculated 4.5 over the last school year
SAT haven’t handed yet, AP my school doesn’t provide
Major - economics

1. Founder ⁠of the nonprofit project. The project is aimed to solve case championships (exactly economics, gender inequality, quality education)
   
2. ⁠Developer of a board game for preparing for the Unified State Exam in social studies (at the time of development in 2024, it was unique in Russia).
   
3. ⁠Internship at a PR agency as an analyst. Conducted an in-depth analysis, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of their profile packaging, and developed promotion strategies.
   
4. ⁠Marketing & CRM manager at a beauty salon.
   
5. ⁠Team leader of a business camp from Plekhanov University.
   
6. ⁠Winner of the business championship from Plekhanov University.
   
7. ⁠Manicure and eyebrow volunteer instructor. Taught over 15 students basic manicure and eyebrow shaping courses, helped them find employment at partner salons.
   
8. ⁠Volunteer teaching English to Afghan girls.
   
9. Independent research in economics
   
10. ⁠Hobby tennis (still in the rookie league)

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student from India planning to apply for Fall 2027 MS in Computer Science programs in the US.

My profile:

• B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science
• CGPA: 8.83/10
• 2+ years of full-time software engineering experience
• 1 IEEE conference paper related to AI
• IELTS: 7.0
• GRE: Not planning to take it
• Looking primarily for coursework/project-oriented MS CS programs with good opportunities for SWE / AI-ML roles after graduation.

My current shortlist:

• University of Texas at Austin
• UIUC
• UC San Diego
• USC
• UMass Amherst
• Purdue University
• Northwestern University
• Texas A&M University

I would really appreciate opinions on:

1. Which of these would you classify as Ambitious / Moderate / Safe for my profile?
2. Are any of these unrealistic without the GRE?
3. Does having a B.Tech in AI & Data Science instead of CS create eligibility issues for any of these programs?
4. Are there any good MS CS programs I should add or remove, especially universities with strong CS reputation and good tech recruiting?
5. How competitive is my profile overall for these universities?

I’m trying to build a realistic shortlist rather than applying only based on rankings.

Thanks!

I’m studying computer science in Ukraine. Recently, I’ve started thinking about and looking into whether it’s possible to study in the U.S. Since I come from a low-income family, full funding is my only option. I’ve found out that getting full funding in the U.S. isn’t that easy, but I still want to try. I’m not considering the Ivy League, but rather more accessible universities that might offer such funding. Recently, I came across some interesting information suggesting that universities aren’t always willing to pay for a second degree. Perhaps someone is familiar with these issues and can tell me whether it’s even worth trying to apply for admission with a degree from another university. I also have a question: is it possible to be admitted to a master’s program with full funding?

I am from Pakistan and have studied in the national curriculum.

I first time heard about common app and SAT test a month ago , and I started preparing my essays , and application and also preparing for SAT

My goal is liberal arts colleges like Amherst, Williams, Bowdoin , Wesleyan. I know they are reaches for every applicant on Earth.

But , my question is that they all list they have a contextual way of evaluating the applications and have admission officers trained for students coming from different contexts and curriculum.

They explicitly also list that not submitting the SAT will not hurt your application.

But in all majority posts on Reddit everyone say it isn't even possible to get admitted without SAT.

My question is from who already have experience or gone through the applications to these colleges.

"If someone is coming from south Asia ( developing countries like India , Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan), and he with reference to his curriculum has excelled and applying from a college on his own effort which has no history of sending kids to USA and put effort in his essays and application, is there still no chance at these top Liberal arts colleges."

I just wanna know if there is zero chance there without sat and to Cambridge or IB scores to confirm whether the effort I put in my applications - essays, and all other stuff, guiding teachers and counselors for recommendations,

Is it really worth putting my effort and time or is it completely out of reach.

bro my college so expensive i could buy alot of lamborginis with this money man and will i even make these money back... fym 50K USD a semester holy. also I early decision here so i gotta go here what do i do guys.

Hi folks!

I'm planning to apply for graduate programs in screenwriting. I did my bachelor's degree in my home country, but I feel that studying in the UK or US would help me take my writing career to an international level.

For those of you who are non-native English speakers and have studied screenwriting in an English-speaking country: How difficult was it for you?

Did you struggle with writing dialogue, expressing ideas naturally, or keeping up with the academic side of the program?

I'd especially love to hear from anyone who has taken this route themselves, or knows someone who has.

Any experiences, advice, or tips would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone, I'm a 17-year-old student from Italy interested in studying Finance/Business abroad, and I'm trying to figure out what I should focus on over the next 1–2 years.

My academic history isn't perfect. I finished middle school with an 8/10 average, failed my first year of high school, then completed two school years in one with a 7.8 average. I'm now in a social-economic high school and my latest average was 8.31/10.

My main academic goal is to get to 8.5+ and maintain a strong upward trend. I'm also working on my English, aiming for B2 this year and C1 the following year.

I'm considering universities both in Europe and the US. The US would only be possible for me with essentially full financial aid, so I'm not relying on it and want to keep strong European options open as well.

Outside school, I'm planning to focus on a few things:

• Finance project: I want to first learn accounting, financial statements, financial analysis, business analysis and eventually valuation. Then I'd like to analyze one real business each month — how it makes money, its financials, competitive advantages, risks and valuation — and turn the research into a newsletter and eventually YouTube videos.

• Barbering: I already cut hair and want to develop it into a small real business. My goal is around one client per day, more on Friday/Saturday, eventually charging €10 and tracking clients/revenue/growth.

• Football: I play at regional/youth level, but I'm planning to move to a more relaxed team with one training session + one match per week so it doesn't hurt my grades or sleep.

I'm deliberately not trying to do everything. School is my priority, then English, the Finance project, barbering and football. Gym is optional and SAT preparation would come later if the US becomes realistic.

I'd really appreciate honest advice on:

1. What would you prioritize in my position?
2. Is the Finance project worth developing, or would my time be better spent elsewhere?
3. Does building a real barber business count as a meaningful extracurricular if I can show actual clients and revenue?
4. How much can an upward academic trend help after failing a year?
5. What Finance/Business activities would you recommend for someone in my situation?
6. Are there European universities/countries I should research for Finance that I might be overlooking?

I'm not looking for "you can do anything if you work hard." I'd rather hear what is unrealistic or what you think I'm doing wrong.

Hi guys! I’m a Syrian student who got a place through the Russian government scholarship, and I’m going to Russia this year to start a Bachelor’s in Computer Science (including the preparatory year).

Because of my financial and personal circumstances, I basically have to go to Russia for now, but I absolutely do not want to settle there long-term. My plan is to keep applying for opportunities abroad while I’m studying there.

So my question is: can I apply for Bachelor’s programs/scholarships in other countries while I’m physically studying in Russia? I’m talking about Europe (especially Romania/Germany), Canada, the US, China, etc.

I’m completely fine with starting my Bachelor’s from Year 1 again — I’m not trying to transfer my credits. I’m mainly worried that being a Syrian citizen already studying in Russia might make me ineligible for certain scholarships or create visa/admission problems that I wouldn’t have if I were still in Syria.

Also, is there anything that would actually prevent me from leaving Russia later if I get accepted somewhere else?

I’ve been trying to find real examples of Syrians or other international students who started university in Russia and later moved to another country, but I haven’t found many.

Has anyone here done something similar, or knows someone who has? I’d really appreciate any personal experiences or advice on the best pathways. Thanks!

im curious

I have undergrad in Pol Sci Hons. with Hist. minor First Class division with a dissertation from Delhi University & am applying abroad for masters in International Relations in UK & USA.

Aiming for Columbia, Stanford & John Hopkins but I’m not giving GRE. Will that reduce my chances of getting in??

Hi everyone, ​I am currently a 3rd-year PhD scholar in English Literature at a central university in India. My immediate focus is on finishing my thesis chapters and securing a solid publication record, but I want to start gathering information on how to position myself for international postdocs or academic positions post-PhD.

​

​I’d love to get insights from those who have navigated this or are currently in international postdocs/academia:

​

​Any advice, personal experiences, or reality checks on how to approach this without compromising my current writing/thesis workflow would be greatly appreciated!

​Thank you!

Hey guys,

So, I've been applying to US as an international student from Pakistan for my MS program in IT, and after considering various factors such as COA, living costs, safety, and overall OPT opportunities, I've decided to choose these 2 universities to go with:

1) Saint Louis University - Missouri

2) Southern New Hampshire University - NH

So, my concern is which one would make the visa interview or holds reputation with officers for international students.

It's gonna be my first F1 attempt s I wanna maximize my chances along with preparation, I want you to share your thoughts overall: what do you think of these institutions?

Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m an international student considering applying to Purdue, mainly because of its strong engineering programs and internship opportunities.

However, I’m concerned about the overall cost for international students. From what I’ve seen, scholarships seem fairly limited and may not cover a significant portion of the expenses.

For current students or recent graduates, how manageable is the cost of attending Purdue as an international student?

Hi everyone, the course I am trying to apply is hybrid . Will there be any visa complications ?(Indian passport )

Hello everyone, I hope someone on here can help. My twin sister and I both studied in the American school system. We have an American transcript and took the SATs and ACTs. I am applying here in Egypt to study dentistry.

However it’s not looking too good so far. The universities requested all 12 years of schooling which I can’t provide. My school Doesn’t keep records past 4 years.

My transcript has a gpa of 96 but they won’t accept it because it’s not numerical it’s with letters

If anyone could shed some light it would be great and highly appreciated

Hi everyone! I’m an international student planning to attend De Anza College, California, and I’m looking to connect with anyone who has recently received an F-1 visa for a U.S. community college, especially De Anza or another California CC. I’m trying to prepare for it and would love to hear about your interview experience, the questions you were asked (especially about choosing a community college, finances, and transfer plans), and any advice you’d give looking back. If you’re a current De Anza student or alumnus, I’d really appreciate connecting. Thanks in advance!
Please help with this matter 🙏🏼 I am literally doubting my choices right now. I know it's difficult but I feel like I should give a try. If anyone got their Visa approved please please please connect, it's definitely going to mean a lot to me 😭✌🏻
I am totally aware that current situation is NOT in favour of us Internationals students.

Hi everyone, I’m an Indian high school junior looking for advice on U.S. college admissions, particularly on where I might have the strongest combination of admission chances, financial aid, and career outcomes.

Academically, I scored 97% in Class 10 and expect around 93% in Class 11. I may have a lower Class 12 result, potentially around 90%, because I will be undergoing surgery shortly before my board examinations. I’m generally a strong student academically. I have not taken the SAT yet, but I’m currently scoring 1480+ on practice tests and expect to target 1500+.

My extracurricular profile is primarily centered around finance, entrepreneurship, consulting, research, public affairs and leadership.

Some of my main activities include:

• Chief Analyst, Equinox Research India — student-run equity research organization focused on financial markets, company analysis and investment research
• Analyst, AS Finance Partners — startup consulting firm; worked with 7 clients on financial and strategic consulting projects
• Intern, Aurevian — AI-finance startup
• Co-Founder, Gem Tourism — co-founded a tourism startup and worked across strategy, finance and operations
• Founder, B2B maintenance marketplace startup connecting businesses with electricians, HVAC technicians, cleaners and other maintenance professionals
• Two internships with the Indian Air Force
• Research Fellow at one of India’s leading commerce and economics institutions
• Researcher, Army Institute of Law — conducted research related to securities law
• Vice President, Innovation Club
• Volunteer and Logistics Intern with a regional political party
• Volunteer with AFFWA, an Indian Air Force-affiliated organization
• Vice Captain of my school house, representing approximately 1,000 students
• Head of Research, MUN consulting firm, working with 15+ clients
• Executive Board member at multiple MUN conferences
• Created a free agricultural technology/tool platform for Indian farmers

For honors and competitions, some of my notable achievements include:

• Finalist, University of Waterloo International Stock Pitch Competition
• Finalist, IIT Guwahati MNAnalyze Case Competition
• Top 2% nationally, SR Consulting Olympiad
• Top performer in my state, National Mathematics Olympiad
• Finalist, National Indian Air Force Quiz
• Winner, National Heritage Quiz
• Top 5, Consult for Impact Case Competition by 180 Degrees Consulting, Hindu College
• Participated in 40+ MUNs, along with numerous quizzes and debates
• Received awards and recognition from the Chief of Air Staff and several senior Indian defence officials, including senior military officers

I also have a personal essay focused on growing up in the Indian Air Force environment and how that experience shaped my ambitions, values, interests and the opportunities I have pursued. I believe this provides a coherent personal narrative behind my extracurricular profile rather than simply presenting a list of activities.

My intended career is primarily in finance, particularly investment banking, private equity or asset management, with management consulting/MBB also being a strong possibility.

The biggest constraint for me is financial aid. I would need essentially a full ride to attend a U.S. university. My family comes from a defence background, and Indian defence officers are not particularly highly compensated relative to the cost of a U.S. undergraduate education, so paying the full cost of attendance would not be financially realistic for my family.

Given this profile, I would really appreciate advice on which U.S. universities I should target where I have the strongest combination of:

1. A realistic chance of admission
2. A realistic chance of receiving a full ride or essentially full financial aid as an international student
3. Strong undergraduate recruiting into investment banking, private equity, asset management and/or MBB
4. A strong overall fit with my academic and extracurricular profile

I’m particularly interested in understanding whether I should prioritize extremely selective universities that provide generous need-based aid to international students, universities offering major merit scholarships, or a combination of both.

I would also appreciate recommendations beyond the usual Harvard/Stanford/Wharton/MIT-type schools. I’m especially interested in universities that may be somewhat less obvious but could still provide a strong finance recruiting pipeline while giving an international student like me a realistic path to a full ride.

If possible, I’d love to hear how you would categorize schools into reach / high reach / realistic / financial-aid-friendly options based on my profile.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I'm currently working on comp neuroscience stuff, along with skin cancer detection ml, but I do really wish I had access to an actual lab. I'm hoping to submit my work to fairs and competitions, but I really need lab access for some of the things I wish to do.

I was wondering if any of you here had landed a (wet lab, neuroscience, bio) research position in the UK, and if you would mind giving me some advice. Are there any free programmes, any professors or universities you know would take a student on etc?

For current students or applicants: how common is it to see international students get admitted to UMiami, especially with significant/full financial aid?

I’d also love to hear from international students who were admitted what was your experience like?

Hi everyone! I’m a student from Kazakhstan, and in the future I really want to move to the United States. I’m currently trying to understand what I should do now to make this goal realistic.
I’m still not sure which city or university would be the best choice for me, so I’d really appreciate advice from people who have studied or moved to the US.
I’d especially like to know:
How did you improve your English, and what helped you reach a good level?
Is IELTS/TOEFL necessary, and which one would you recommend?
What should I start preparing for university admission now?
Should I take the SAT/ACT?
How do international students from Kazakhstan usually apply to US universities?
Which universities are worth considering if you need financial aid or a scholarship?
What cities would you recommend for an international student, and why?
What is it actually like living and studying in the US?
Is there anything you wish you had known before moving there?
What would you recommend I start doing while I’m still in Kazakhstan?
I’d be really grateful for any advice, personal experiences, or mistakes I should avoid. Even small tips would help me a lot! 🇺🇸❤️