Chance me for Bates and Colgate

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Here's my profile (kind of incomplete yet):</p>

<p>SAT I: 690 CR, 700 Math, 660 Writing
Unweighted GPA: (I attend a Syrian high school where percentages are used) 100% in the 10th Grade, 100% in the 11th Grade (that would be a 4.0, right?)
Rank: 1/70
AP: None offered D:
IB: No IB programs available in my country.
Senior Year Course Load: Currently doing The Syrian Baccalaureate, don't know if it qualifies though.
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Full score on the Syrian national 9th Grade examination. Out of 400,000 who had the examination, only 82 got a full score. I then got a federal award, but I don't know if it counts xD</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: 3 years of playing the electric guitar (recorded and produced a few songs, mostly hipster stuff xD), writing short stories (horror) and poems, foreign language courses (French and German, high level in the former, beginner in the latter), Football (soccer :P). I know my ECs are very weak, but in my country, ECs are generally uncared for. I tried to make the best out of what was available.
Job/Work Experience: None.
Volunteer/Community service: None.
Summer Activities: Swimming, in addition to some of the aforementioned ECs.</p>

<p>I really know that my profile isn't looking that good (with the weak ECs and subpar scores and all), but I want to apply somewhere in the US. My parents aren't rich at all (the whole nation's experiencing an economic crisis ATM so...), so I definitely need all the aid I can muster. But to my dismay, I discovered that most colleges that are need-blind when it comes to international applicants are top tier schools like the Ivies. Which are a major reach, to be honest. After that, I've read somewhere that a few LACs also offer generous aid to international students. Therefore, I would really like to apply to Colgate, Bates, Macalester and Colby. So I'd like to ask:</p>

<p>1) Do I stand any chances of getting admitted into the aforementioned colleges? What can I do to improve my profile and thus my chances?</p>

<p>2) Does requesting a lot of financial aid make me more liable to be ruled out from the application race?</p>

<p>3) Does being a Syrian and affected by warfare qualify as a hook? If so, how useful would that be?</p>

<p>Thank you very much for your cooperation. I'm in the direst need for some help and guidance concerning universities! :D</p>

2

<p>Please help me out people :(</p>

3

<p>Final bump. Really desperate. :’(</p>

4

<ol>
<li><p>You are a strong contender for these colleges. Your cultural background and academic success will certainly have strong pulls. I would work on improving your community service and community involvement, small liberal arts colleges put emphasis on this.</p></li>
<li><p>Financial need has different effects at different colleges. Bates, for example, is need-aware - this means they can see that you need money and how much you need. I’m not sure about the others. Most schools like to say they give large amounts of money to those who need it, so sometimes it can actually work in your favor. I wouldn’t worry about this too much. Most NESCACs are great at meeting financial needs. </p></li>
<li><p>Being Syrian is definitely a hook. You are looking at small colleges, most of which are trying to “up” their diversity. Being a minority is a large pull, but it won’t replace things such as bad grades, no extracurriculars, etc. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Best of luck to you! I also applied to Bates and Colby :)</p>