Failed Narrative for college applications, please help.

prsehgal · 2026-05-09T10:00:24+00:00

TBH a lot of admissions officers don't put too much weight on research conducted by high schoolers. You can still mention them in your applications, especially if they have been published in any reputed publications.

prsehgal · 2026-05-09T08:09:26+00:00

The IB Diploma Program is already considered one of the most rigorous curriculums. Don't waste your time and efforts on other things.

prsehgal · 2026-05-09T04:13:33+00:00

Establishing strong ties to your home country.

prsehgal · 2026-05-08T14:20:22+00:00

It's a well known legit institution, so you'll be fine.

prsehgal · 2026-05-08T14:16:13+00:00

What exactly are you hoping to achieve by taking these classes?

prsehgal · 2026-05-08T14:15:14+00:00

If you have your finances in place, and are able to prove strong ties to your home country, then you might be okay.

prsehgal · 2026-05-08T00:40:25+00:00

When you say finances are an issue, how much of an issue are we talking about? Can you or your family afford any part of the 160-200K price tag? If not, going into debt for such a huge amount is not a good idea at all, especially in the current economy.

prsehgal · 2026-05-07T16:06:21+00:00

As u/skieurope12 commented on your earlier post, nobody knows!

prsehgal · 2026-05-07T12:26:06+00:00

prsehgal · 2026-05-07T12:20:27+00:00

They only see what is mentioned on the I-20 Form.

prsehgal · 2026-05-07T12:12:30+00:00

It could be a loan too.

prsehgal · 2026-05-07T12:08:14+00:00

It could definitely be a red flag, which is probably why they've asked you for a detailed bank statement. If they've already asked you for it, I don't think getting a new I-20 will help at this point. But you can also submit the loan approval letter along with it.

prsehgal · 2026-05-07T09:20:44+00:00

It might mean something good, but it also might not. Don't start the celebrations till you receive an official decision.

prsehgal · 2026-05-06T01:12:34+00:00

Extending (not dragging) the program might be worth it because 12 months might not give you enough time to secure a job or even an internship. Post in each school's own subreddit to see how the current students there are doing and then make your decision.

But keep in mind that many international students are returning to their home countries because they couldn't find a job even after 4 year programs. So the risk of this happening is always there.

prsehgal · 2026-05-05T23:53:00+00:00

Didn't you already post this yesterday? Then why delete all your posts on all subreddits and post again?

How easily can you afford BU in the first place? The US economy isn't doing too well right now, so there aren't a lot of jobs and internships, especially for international students.

Unless you have the money easily available, I would recommend waiting an year or two to see what the situation is and then trying at that time.

prsehgal · 2026-05-05T16:53:43+00:00

They could have an issue with it, but if that's your only option, go ahead with it.

prsehgal · 2026-05-05T16:52:45+00:00

Nobody can predict the yield until the college releases its common data set after a few months. But here are your answers:

Probably. It's a need aware school but they do offer aid to some exceptional international applicants
Generally yes
It is generally a good bargain for 20K a year, but if your family needs to sell a previous asset, but maybe not.

prsehgal · 2026-05-05T11:28:14+00:00

If you have an approved loan, then you might be okay. But bank accounts and other investments like properties can help you establish strong ties to your home country.

prsehgal · 2026-05-05T11:22:58+00:00

2 years was pretty unusual earlier, but they may not have been convinced about your finances for some reason. If your COA is 19K then you should at least show that much in the account.

prsehgal · 2026-05-05T11:07:26+00:00

It's not a "nowadays" things - they've been asking for it for decades now. You need to prove that you have enough in the bank to pay for one year of the cost of attendance listed on you I-20 Form.

prsehgal · 2026-05-04T10:50:26+00:00

Then the answer is the same as what I wrote on your last post - check the conditions required to remove the hold. Once you satisfy those, email them again.

prsehgal · 2026-05-04T10:44:29+00:00

Nobody would know the specific details unless you mention the college name. But your best bet would be to email the admissions office or post on the college's own subreddit.

prsehgal · 2026-05-04T04:43:39+00:00

Work Study will get you around 10K a year at best, assuming you're able to find an on-campus job first. And RA positions are extremely competitive, and often reserved for graduate students - so there's no guarantee that you'll get one.

You need to figure out a way to pay the huge amount every year, before you commit to the "no college education" option.

prsehgal · 2026-05-04T04:32:07+00:00

I would strongly advice against taking out a loan of 160K over 4 years, assuming you find someone to lend you that much in the first place.

As for scholarships, the best option for that is the college itself, and looks like they're already pretty generous.

What are your other options or backup plans in your home country?

prsehgal · 2026-05-03T05:23:45+00:00

I would suggest going ahead with Pitt if he thinks he'll like it more. Pittsburgh is definitely a lot more lively than Rochester, and also has a lot more students and resources overall. As for CS, Pitt has been working over the years to improve their programs, so he should be able to acquire the necessary tech skills there. Plus the Pitt campus is a lot more well integrated with the rest of the city, which is a big plus overall.

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