What are my chances of getting into University of Washington-Seattle and University of Oregon-Eugene?

National Taiwan University-Chances of Getting In?

• I am one of those students who obsesses over every possible detail and does not rest until I have a final solution. I'm posting this question here because I feel like my friends and parents aren't going to give me objective answers because...well they're my parents and friends. For anyone who is familiar with National Taiwan University's admission procedures, I'd like to gauge what my chances are of getting into their Global MBA program. It's an All-English MBA taught in Taiwan, and they're accredited by the ACCSB, the same people who accredit schools here in the states. Not to mention that it's about 2700$/semester, as opposed to 17,500/semester, which is what i would be paying at the school I attend undergrad at. I have a 3.4 cumulative GPA at my current university, but I also got an Associates in Business Admin (hence Business school at the grad level), and I graduated that with a 3.9 GPA. I belong to two honor societies, one of which I was vice president, and I've tutored middle and high school kids in Spanish for about six or seven years. Of course, I speak fluent English and Spanish, and my Mandarin is functional. I've studied abroad in Taiwan and China on fellowships from my school, and have interned with DOJ, a private consulting firm, and USAID this summer. I don't know how much they really care about interning for the federal government here, since it's a foreign country. But here it's a big deal. Apparently, I wasn't competitive enough for the government scholarship, which has made me doubt myself. I know that a 3.4 is by no means superior, and I know that in Asia grades are very important. Oh another small thing, I'm African-American, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing for them. They don't have very many black students there (African-American, Caribbean, African or any other kinds of Black People), so I'm not sure if they want more there, and no one goes, or they'd just rather keep their international students limited to a more...Euro-centric pool. Basically, what I want are HONEST opinions (you don't have to spare my feelings really, I'd prefer you tell me 'you haven't a shot in hell' than 'oh i'm sure you're a shoo in', which is what i've been hearing from my friends. NTU is the most prestigious university in Taiwan. That being said, Taiwan is the size of Maryland....so take it how you want it. I really appreciate anybody's feedback. Thank You!

• Answer:

  I would think you have a better than average chance of getting in. Good job! You probably should consider hunting for some real work experience outside of academic accomplishments- the pay is notably better and usually paying work and operating independently of institutional settings is more respected by most employers. However, given the economic and government and private sector cutbacks I can totally understand wanting to pick up some experience out here in APAC. I would suspect you would be on the top 100 bit of most deans lists for admissions even back in the US or other western nations, but in this day and age most of the time there are only 10 spots the 100 top students are gunning for, don't worry overly much about your chances. I wouldn't worry about skin color prejudice TOO much out here. Taiwanese usually try to move past that nonsense in general- it is more discriminatory based on citizenship and where your nation sits economically in GDP ratings vs. Taiwan. If your nation is above or near them, you get respect from the Taiwanese and they want to learn what they can from you. If your nation is more than 10 spots below them, you probably won't get treated terribly well, but you won't be lit on fire or anything, just at worst, ignored in public places if you don't speak the language well, or if you happen to be in an employer/employee relationship they will not be very nice to you if your nation of citizenship is considered 'lower' than theirs. People will stare and most children might yell "Hello!" or call you African because the children don't know that most successful nations have internationalized multi ethnic cultures. If WNL knows someone who went to NTU, I would think that would be a good idea to follow up on. Still, in Taiwan it is considered the top school to get into and probably your competition is FIERCE. Really really FIERCE. Being good is usually not good enough for Taiwanese applicants for NTU- the BEST is what get in (theoretically.) Although more relationship and financial support payments from rich families probably are more deterministic of attendance for most people. However, your major advantage is being a native speaker from the US who can explain and interact with the students in a realistic way so they can get their communication skills up. (which probably gives you a big IN if you don't have too many other students competing for that spot.) If I were you, try it, and also try a few other schools you wish to attend.