I am an international student. I am quite good a maths. My SAT scores is 1600 (maths:710, critical reading: 410, writing : 480). My SAT II scores are 780 in maths and 750 in physics. I am taking engineering as my major. I can afford $5000 for my annual tuition fee.
I suggest that you should take the community college route which is much cheaper for the first two years before transferring to a uni. You could save up the money for the last two years as well. Since you’re taking engineering, it’s tough to get scholarship especially for international students and looking at your SAT Score, you would need a much higher score than that. Maybe, there woud be some unis that would have a low tuition fee but they’re somewhat in the range of at leask 20k dollars as far as i know.
You should post in the International forum. As an International applicant, US universities are not required to subsidize your education. The schools which give the best aid are also the most selective, so with your low SAT scores, you will have no chance for admittance. I agree with @MasterofDecept that a community college is an excellent idea. This will give to time work on your English skills required in the US universities to succeed and save you some money. Even the CCC’s will still be costly, so I another suggestion is to attend a university in your home country and then apply to the US for graduate school.
Here is a link for some additional schools for International students and financial aid:
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/slideshows/10-schools-where-international-students-get-the-most-financial-aid/11
Yup @Gumbymom I think it would probably best for him to finish his undergraduate in his home country and then take his graduate degree in the U.S. However, @You123 you should check a couple of community colleges around the country and ask if they have financial aid or some sorts…
What about taking a gap year and improving in SAT?
Also is my chance to any universoty is null? Should i apply in fall?
I’m an international, and personally I’m sure that SAT score is really low. Usually internationals from India or China score a 800 on the math section. I would say you need at least a 600-650 on the other 2 sections to have a chance at universities. Applying for FA doesn’t help either.
I second Gumbymom’s suggestion as well.
Since virtually all US universities are such that the primary language of instruction is English, you would need to continue working on your English. If you decide to take a gap year and apply for US universities, this should be one of your top priorities. Your math score is decent but still somewhat low for top science/engineering universities.
Also, expect no financial aid from state universities (e.g. UC’s), as they are primarily funded through taxpayer dollars from the state, as well as other sources.
Take a gap year to improve your English and work on your scores. Since you have high need, you need to hit much higher targets. Try the ACT, too.
What are your other results, are in in O’Levels, GCSE, IGCSE, or a European national program?
Community college is a bad idea for a high-need international, since it means after 2 years they’re stuck, since they can’t afford the last 2 years.
You say $5,000 for tuition, but what’s your budget for rent and food, for transportation, for books, for personal expenses?