Chance me for these extremely impossible to-get-in schools as an int'l
Well, I would have never dropped my profile here but I had to cuz now I am starting to doubt myself a lot, as an International needing Financial aid, I am 100% cooked, I know that.. But.. I did let the colleges/unis know that I am down to take an educational loan of 20k USD max per year (I do not want my parents to pay for my education, and with the professional certifications I have, I can earn like 1,000 USD a month?)
Anyways.. Let me share my profile now:
Demographics: Asian Int'l Female, requiring Financial Aid
Stats: 91.6% - Freshman Year
94.6% Sophomore Year (This is the year we have a National Examination which takes place with approximately 2 million students)
85% - Junior Year
90% (Predicted, as told by my counselor based on mid-year grades) - Senior Year
Major I am going to apply to: Environmental Studies and Sustainability (Differs from school to school)
Honors and Awards:
International CyberFair Silver Prize: Competed with schools from all over the world in website development, and secured Silver Prize
MUN High Commendation: Secured the Second Prize of High Commendation as the delegate of China in UNHRC for LGBTQ+ rights in Podar Summit, a national MUN.
NEBOSH IGC: A highly prestigious certification for professionals in the field of EHS (Environment, Health and Safety), it's normally done by people of age 25 or above as it's a professional certificate, thus I am one of the youngest girls in the world to secure this certification, and I confirmed it from the council as well.
Shis-Tech: Pitched for a website we developed, my role was of video editing, presenting the website and graphic designing, secured third position
Vice Ruby-House Captain of School, serving in the school's student council
Extracurriculars and Work Experience:
Non-Profit Organisation for EHS training and courses: With my NEBOSH IGC and IOSH MS certifications, I qualify to provide EHS training sessions in organisations, thus I provided training sessions to employees of companies like Mint Manufacturer (Coin Manufacturer), Taj Vivanta Hotel, Delhi University, ITI and even my own school, Aravali International School, successfully making people aware of safe practices at occupation.
EHS and Spoken English Trainer: Training students at one of the institutes about Chemical Safety and other aspects of EHS, and teaching Spoken English to students from lower backgrounds.
Worked with Rotary Club as a Club Director for spreading awareness about blood donation
Collaborated with NSS, an NGO under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Led a fire safety training, covering emergency evacuation plans and fire control measures in the university, for 50+ students.
Conducted a Research on Fire-Safety Awareness among Middle-Class Indians, considering how safe their residence is.
Career Counselling for Students of Grades 11th and 12th in various institutions for popularising Health and Safety Professions
Managed the successful delivery of an IOSH course within two days, completing the syllabus for safety professionals from across India. Gathered 300+ participants within just three days from all over India and provided comprehensive training using self-made flashcards, videos, and presentations. Collaborated with experienced NIFS professionals to verify the quality of the material.
Essays:
Common App: Based on my experience as an EHS trainer in all the companies, how did I start, why did I start, what did I learn, and why this is my purpose of life now.
Additional Essay: Delhi is the most polluted city in the world, with an AQI of 200 as normal, because of which I have seen some grave hazards firsthand. This essay starts with humor in my voice and then goes to the serious issues with pollution, why does environment matter to me and all.
So, I did apply to Cornell for ED, the ILR program and got rejected, and the counselor told me that the problem was with my essays (I did not include the additional essay that I have now, it was something different, it's better now I guess). I thought I got rejected due to my academics but he told me academics were not at all the problem and even my recommenders didn't say a single bad thing about me in recommendation letters and they were strongly supporting me, but the only problem was my essays. He also told me that my extracurriculars were just amazing, calling me a "Powerhouse of my field" (lol).
Sorry for writing sooo much.
I applied to: Lehigh University (ED II)- IBH Program (Integrated Business and Health), I even applied for its 100% merit-based scholarship (Soaring Together), I made a video for that, I think it was quite good, if you want to see, I can provide you the link in DM, comment!
Amherst, Barnard (I am getting rejected from these two, that's what everyone tells me)
Bates, Carleton, Colby, Colgate, Denison, Macalester, Middlebury, Reed, Smith, Trinity, Tulane, University of Dayton, Wellesley, Wheaton College (Massachusetts), Hofstra University (The name is so hard wth)
I need honest reviews but please don't be too harsh, I won't be able to take it, lmao.