r/IntltoUSA

I'm an international student gearing up for the Fall 2027 admissions cycle (applying around Nov/Dec 2026), and I’m wondering if I stand a realistic chance at Top Tier US universities based on my academic profile.

Here is a quick breakdown:

SAT: 1590

GPA / Transcript: 88/100 cumulative. In my country's local curriculum, anything above an 85 is considered "excellent." However, I have an extreme upward trend: my senior year GPA is 96/100, taking advanced coursework like Calculus, Modern Physics, Modern Chemistry, and Modern Biology. Roughly converted to US standards with context, it’s around a 3.7/4.0.

School Context: My school does not offer AP, IB, or A-Levels. It’s a standard national curriculum.

The AP Strategy: Since my school lacks rigor on paper, I am self-studying and registered to take AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Physics C: E&M, and AP Statistics in May 2027. I will be listing these as "Planned" on my Common App.

I do have some solid ECs that align with my interests, but right now, I really want to know if my academic profile passes the initial screening at elite/Ivy League schools despite the lower cumulative GPA and lack of completed APs at the time of application.

Does the 1590 SAT + extreme upward trend + planned self-study APs make up for the 88 cumulative GPA in an international context?

Would love to hear your honest thoughts. Much love!

I have a full tution scholarship and housing scholarship in USM. The housing scholarship is for 1st year only and full tution for 4 years. Is it worth it to study biology/biomedical science in USM.

I got into Beloit College with very good aid and scholarship and committed there. However, I just got into Università Bocconi in Italy. I'm still thinking that I should go to beloit since the jobs in the US are much better than ones in europe. Am I making a bad choice for turning down a much more prestigious uni in Bocconi for a location advantage in the US?

Hey every1 i hope u all re fine ♡

(It took me toooo much courage to open up yet here i am)

I took my Baccalaureate last year Bac2025 in morocco ( economics ) i got 19.08/20 in the National exam itself with an overall 4.0 gpa nd all my high school transscripts are +18/20, i got the incredible opportunity TechGirls 24'bd since then i had been dreaming about studying in the USA, yet i didn t apply to any cauz i didn t had the money to pass the SAT nd travel to the exam location, I couldn t pay the fees for application nd even the fees to translate administrative papers ( my dad is a cleaner my mom is unemployed) i was a minor back th' i couldn't work somewhere ( just to put u in context <:) .. However i did as my family told me i applied to a "prestigious" uni in Morocco nd got accepted nd now i m just back home for summer break after my freshman year .. now i ve saved some money ( from my merit scholarship) nd i can take nd pay the SAT ( I LL WORK AS WELL IN A CALL CENTER) .. i felt the urge to apply at least thinking i ll just act like this was a gap year nd that s it .. yet reading ABOUT THE DAMN TRANSFER THING FELT LIKE DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOUSE IN THE WORST POSSIBLE WAY ( trynna hold my tears y'all ) becauz i want ivy unis nd i have less chance .. especially that my freshman grade will not be that " PERFECT" even if The grades gonna be released soon ( idk my grade yet but ik it s bad ) i got really depressed this school year nd i felt like M A WAISTED POTENTIAL.. I GOT THE HIGHEST GRADE IN THE ENTIRE REGION YET HERE I AM ... besides studies i have a black belt in karate (: soo that uk im not studying 15hrs a day ... I GENUINELY DON T KNOW WHAT TO DO SHOULD I APPLY FOR FULL 2027 ANYWAY OR I LL JUST LOSE THE VERY NEEDED AMOUNT OF MONEY ( ND TIME CAUZ IF SOO I LL STUDY DAY ND NIGHT LIKE A DOG FOR THE SAT) .. or should i give up for now nd wait until master as my dad say ( EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT HURTS) .. is there ANYWHERE else ANYTHING ELSE i can do ..

I REALLY NEED UR HELP GUYS .

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting here. I’d like to know if you think I should leave the French high school—I’m currently in 10th grade—to spend two years studying for the International Baccalaureate (IB) in the United States. I’d like to know if this is a real opportunity for my education, since I don’t really thrive in the French system and I already spent my 7th grade in the United States.
Thanks for your response :)

I'm writing this because I know that this subreddit is filled with international students with the same dream to study in the States with a full ride. This year, I was one of those students that experienced it. I got into a T-20 with a full ride and was waitlisted at a few of the ivies, so here are some of my thoughts.

My journey began in March 2025. I made my Common App account and began researching about what it takes and what I need to get into a university in the US as an international student. I wasn't like the students whose feeder schools prepared them for everything starting freshman year. I didn't even know what extracurriculars were when I began applying.

First and foremost: Do not expect anything.

Please understand that universities in the US do not owe you anything. You should not be expecting a scholarship or any money from them. Most universities accept international students FOR their money. If you want a scholarship, you genuinely need to be one-of-a-kind. It's a huge investment, and you need to prove to them that you belong. Go into this journey with the mindset of "I'll do my best, and I understand that I won't get anything in return."

Second: Research.

When I say research about the universities you apply to, I mean spend hours. We all are tempted to use AI these days to write essays, but I promise you it won't get you anywhere. Learn about the schools you're applying to -- why do you want to go there? what do they provide for you? what makes them special? Are you just applying to Harvard because you want the name or you want to grow as a person?

Third: Ignore the depressing stories

When I first joined this subreddit, I kept reading the same old stories of "rejected from everywhere as an international student." Of course, like you guys, I thought to myself "No way I'll get in. If these people got rejected with better stats and ECs, I don't stand a shot." I was rejected from a bunch this cycle, but I managed to get into a T20 with a full-ride and was waitlisted at two ivies (all it takes is one btw). If I had listened to the comments on reddit saying "getting in as an intl is impossible" and didn't apply, I wouldn't have gotten in. This does not mean to just shoot your shot and hope. It means to give it a try even if it might seem hard.

Fourth: The real win is what you learn along the way.

Even if I had not gotten in anywhere this cycle, the things I learned about myself from all the essays I wrote were genuinely eye-opening. I became more mature, and I made mistakes that taught me new lessons. Most importantly, though, I learned who I truly was as a person.

Fifth: Your story is just as important as your grades.

I had an alright SAT score and mid ECs (just a bunch of things I like doing in my free time). I think what truly got me in was my story. Show the university who you really are. What makes you different from the thousands of applicants that apply?

There's so much I could say, but know that its hard. Even if it is, you won't lose anything if you try.

If you want it bad enough, do not find shortcuts. At the end of the day, do what you can and leave the rest up to the admissions officers. If its meant to be, it'll happen. If not, the fact that you thought of applying shows that you're an ambitious person who'll do big things in life.

Hii everyone

I went to USA on F1 visa for master's studies, then came back home after 2 months (got homesick and health issues) I came home and then e-mailed my masters advisor that i came back because of so and so reasons.

I am again applying for a PhD program,

Visa Stamp is still valid for more years,

Will there be any issue at visa interview or at point of entry at airport?

What you suggest ?

Looking forward for help.

Thanks

Hi, I’m considering a masters at Avila University Arizona as an international student and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s already there. Any insight on your experience would be helpful! Feel free to comment or DM me.

Do you personally know any student on F1 who actively or even occasionally earns from youtube monetization ? How strict are the rules regarding this?

I am in tears. Like straight up crying for the past week and I'm beyond lost now. I'm not even an emotional person and this is the first time I've cried in literal years, but nothing feels real anymore.

In March I got my acceptance to Harvard University and couldn't have been happier. I've grinded my ass off throughout highschool and did everything in my power to get into a prestigious college.

After working so hard for so long and being extremely burnt out, the acceptance finally gratified all my efforts. I didn't boast about my acceptance, only told a few close friends and my family of course. Somehow, my guidance counselor found out about my acceptance (I didn't tell her), and eventually teachers and some other students came up to me and congratulated me for getting accepted. It was a huge deal as I was the only person from my small school to ever get in.

The reason I'm saying all this is because last week I was emailed that my offer was rescinded for "discrepancy of moral integrity". When applying to Harvard, I didn't include some of the past disciplinary behaviour I did. I was once suspended for allowing some friends to cheat off my tests on multiple occasions. I didn't include it because it was in Grade 10 and I didn't think it mattered anyway, however I guess someone snitched...

Now I'm completely heartbroken. I do have offers from some Canadian schools but I withdrew a lot of them after I got into Harvard. My options now are Waterloo SE, mac health sci, and queens health sci. They are great programs but no where near Harvard's level and I feel like a failure. I'm not even that passionate about med, but mac health sci is like the most prestigious Canadian program so idk if I should go for that.

I know this all sounds like a troll and trust me it feels unreal even to myself. I'm happy to answer any questions and clear up anything if needed. Please give me advice as to where I should commit.

Should I mention the organisation I volunteered at as an hs student?

https://preview.redd.it/8ebzmywbbx1h1.png?width=648&format=png&auto=webp&s=2b55ef78e8e0dede6cd2501b6bf1ce590b697a7d

Hey! I'm a intl gap year student who is working in her Personal Statement Essay and would love if someone that has experience give me feedback.

Thank you!

Anyone doing this path? I want to apply for associates in nursing at a community college but everyone is advising me against community college as it will be hard to get student visa.

Any guidance will be much appreciated 🥲

I'm looking for ec's that I'm eligible to do in NYC as an F1 visa student that will also increase my chances to transfer into top colleges and ivy leagues.

I am an international student from Thailand and I want to do a bachelors of computer engineering at a uni in the US or Canada. I am currently in 11th grade and would like to know what unis I can realistically get into with my current stats and ECAs. Scholarships would be nice but isn’t necessary.

4.0 GPA (Thai M6)
1460 SAT (770 math, 690 eng)
IELTS 8.0
UKChO chemistry Olympiad round one Gold
BPhO physics challenge Gold award
Continental Calculus league Asian silver award
Third place + problem solving award in a domestic rocket building competition hosted by a university and the defence technology institute
10x school certificates of academic excellence
UK Bebras challenge informatics and computer fluency certificate of distinction (from 8th grade so idk if it still counts)

Volunteered to help plant a mangrove forest pick up trash around the forest
Joined a school club which helped clean up and pick up trash around the school area
(Level one) emergency first aid/CPR and basic life support course

Hobbies
JLPT N5 qualification (Japanese language test)
Grade 3 drums certificate (trinity college)
BJJ and boxing

Hi! I'm an incoming grad student. From past two weeks I've been struggling to book a slot for F1 visa interview. My intended date for tarvelling is in first week of August, which is also around the time that I see VAC slots opening up for now.

Over the past two weeks, I've tried to book slots for myself, and enquired with few agents but have not been able to book even a single appointment. I'm not intending to go via agent route coz of two reasons- 1. they charge a lot (whooping 25-40k) 2. Giving out my credentials to someone just like that especially after hearing so many instances of scams, just doesn't sit right with me.

I've tried to book it myself, however, throughout that time I've been able to book for vac around june end+july first week but haven't come across single consulate opening, resulting in unsucessful attempts.

At this point I've tried almost everything consistent checking, odd times (spent every hour over 3 nights checking it) but I just can't get the slot. And now my situation has become more dire since the vac slots and consulate slots have shifted to August, around the time I intend to travel. So, it's impossible for me to plan it out that way.

I also have other things such as housing, flights to sort out and can not afford to spend more time looking into it.

So I'm open to suggestions as to what may have worked out for you and what did not. Any help is greatly appreciated. If anyone has any thoughts to share on what and how I can secure booking *timely*, please share with me.

Hey guys, I really need your help because I only have a 2 day deadline to make this move and my anxiety is through the roof.
I'm already committed to a US university, but my visa interview is coming up and rejection rates in my region are brutal. I just got off the waitlist for an American university campus in the UAE, and I have 4 days to accept their offer.

My plan is to accept the UAE spot right now as a safety net just in case my US visa gets denied. This means I'll technically be "double enrolled" for about 20 days until I get my visa decision. If my visa gets approved, I'll drop the UAE school immediately. If it gets denied, I'll drop the US school and go to the UAE.
Just to be clear, no actual money is involved here. Neither school requires a cash deposit to hold the spot, so it's just about accepting the offers online.

My main question is, is this traceable? Do US main campuses and American branch campuses in the UAE share the same enrollment databases or talk to each other at all?

Has anyone done this across different countries before? Am I safe to do this?

In our letter we need to show we can cover the cost but if we can cover it why do we need a css profile to apply for need? Or do we send the letter AFTER applications (but some unis only accept if u send the letter alongside the application?)

mainly remote, volunteer research positions/helping with projects etc

if you could share some tips or advice for the rest of us((: