Chances for international student applying to state schools?

[cryoguy]

Hi all,

 

I have heard that state schools tend to be much more selective in terms of international phd admits. Is this true?

 

Most of the schools I am applying to are state schools, so I was wondering if you could evaluate my profile and let me know where I stand as well!

I'm applying for RA/TA funding for a PhD program in atmospheric sciences, specifically climate modelling of the arctic and antarctic. 

 

Undergrad Institution: Top 30 LAC, Reputed Engineering program
Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Minor(s): Environmental Science
GPA in Major: 3.85
Overall GPA: 3.84
Position in Class: 3rd in Department
Type of Student: International Male

GRE Scores (revised/old version):
Q: 165 (90%)
V: 166 (96%)
W: 5.0 (93%)

Research Experience: 3 month summer research of solar thermal heating systems, 1 month research of flow dynamics in blood vessels. By the time I'll apply, I'll also have been an RA at a Center for Climate Research & Development in my home country for a year, working on hydrological modeling of river systems and a lot of policy-based climate mitigation and adaptation work. 

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 7/8 Semesters on Deans List, Kathryn W. Davis Peace Prize finalist, Tau Beta Pi member
 

I'm applying to:

 

Columbia U - Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Princeton U - Science, Technology, & Environmental Policy (STEP) program

UC Boulder - Geography

U Washington - Atmospheric Sciences

UC Irvine - Earth System Science Department

Penn State - Geoscience Department

Oregon State U - Geosciences

UT Austin - Jackson School of Geoscience

 

I would love some feedback - thanks in advance guys!