<p>Honestly, I think you really did amazing with whatever resources you had. As a hispanic candidate from a low income area, that SAT score is <em>really</em> good under the circumstances. </p>
<p>I think you’ll be just fine. Make sure to apply for fee waivers for the actual applications themselves!</p>
<p>Thank you bluenotebook2, i certainly worked really hard to improve my english skills in order to get that score, i hope it will be good enough. I’m definitely going to apply for fee waivers, thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>i think you’ve got a better-than-average shot at these schools; your standardized testing is about where it needs to be, and you’re a URM (which will definitely help!). Make sure you write about your background, too, for the essays! good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot westfield95, i’ll definitely write about my background :)</p>
<p>bump 10 char</p>
<p>any other opinion? :)</p>
<p>How about Macaulay Honors College? Do i have a good chance at that program? Thanks</p>
<p>I think you have way too many reaches. You need a balanced list between reach/match/safety</p>
<p>Murphy600 i know 
the problem is that smaller schools usually don’t offer need-based financial aid to internationals, thanks for the input.</p>
<p>To cut down your list, decide what you want in the school beyond the academics because all these schools are rigorous and have great biochem programs. It may not seem important, but decide between urban cities and the suburbs. Which would you rather be surrounded by? From my recollection, from your list from your first post, all the schools offer need-blind and full-need admissions to international students EXCEPT for Stanford, UChicago, and Columbia. This may help you decide if you really want to apply to these colleges, but of course look up their school-specific policies for FA. It may be harder to get into these schools if you absolutely need the financial aid in order to attend because a lot of admitted internationals can pay costs higher than full tuition. They bring in a lot of money for the school.</p>
<p>rainydays05 thank you for the advice, i’m not quite sure about what i am going to do though; after doing some research i absolutely fell in love with Columbia so i really want to apply there although i know my chances for admission are really small so i don’t know.
I was thinking about applying to all the institutions that are need-blind for internationals and see what happens i am also going to include the macaulay honors program to my list.
I know that they are reach-for-everyone schools but i really don’t have money to afford a tuiton :/</p>
<p>bump10char</p>
<p>bumpbumpbump</p>
<p>Hey Marcelo! Thanks for chancing me !
When I looked at your profile, I really did think we both have a really similar background.
And also, there were 2 of your ECs that stood out most (atleast for me) - Boxing Champion and your Community Service.
And seeing your profile on the whole, I think your scores, and your GPA, and your ECs, all are very competitive. I think you would get in to atleast 1-2 of the schools you mentioned.
BUT, do not forget to concentrate on your essays, they are very important. Also include what you did for the 2 years after school. And surely explain your situation. If you succeed my friend, you’ll be on your way to a great college.
One last thing, no matter what happens, you’ll end up at a great school where you’ll be really happy.
All the best :)</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your words guyinblue, when i saw your thread i felt like i had to give you my opinion because i know how hard is for people like us to accomplish anything and also how nerve-racking this process can be. It’s always good to know that you’re not the only crazy dreamer out there who wants to study abroad with no money lol.
About my essays, yes i’m working on them already and i have a couple of good friends from science camp who are going to help me polish them :). I’ll make sure to explain what i did after graduating, actually my job as contruction worker and science tutor started right after HS.
Thank you very much again for the wishes, i truly want your application process to be successful, also feel free to PM me if you need anything.</p>
<p>You’re welcome 
Yes I know. I can understand how it has been, how hard it is to juggle so much work. Especially when you look at your peers and see them partying, having fun. But don’t worry, you’ve put in your hardwork, it will show and you will be rewarded
HAHA, I agree, its great to know Im not the only crazy guy out there, Ive got company 
haha.
That is good. Did you apply ED to any ? I am sure you’ll do a great job on your essays and the colleges will love you
Jobs can be very demanding, I know. I worked as a street hawker, milkman and a few other jobs after I graduated HS.
I wish you the very best in life ahead! Who knows we might meet each other at a Campus? 
PM-ing you right away ! :)</p>
<p>Do not take the SAT again. Yours is great? Hey don’t like people who retake after such high score. You have plenty of SAT subject too. Just choose less Ivies. Johns Hopkins would be more high match. Check Tufts too.</p>
<p>Apply to Williams college, Dartmouth college and Amherst. I did programs at these places and you easily could’ve been accepted to those programs. I’m in the same boat financially and these places offer incredible aid!!</p>
<p>Guyinblue, thank you for the wishes, i know that you effort will also be rewarded. We have to hope for the best and as i told you in the PM’s i think you are going to be very succesful. Yeah meeting at campus would be fantastic, let’s keep aour fingers crossed 
Murphy600, i’m not retaking the sat and i have taken a couple more subject tests.
Avalde4, I’m applying to Amherst and Dartmouth, i know the financial aid at those schools is great.
I have changed my college list and have also received new scores from the october test date, all the new info is in my new thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1415591-my-final-chance-thread.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1415591-my-final-chance-thread.html</a>
It be great if you check it out. Thank you for the responses.</p>
<p>Williams is a peer institution to amherst and in my opinion offers better financial aide</p>