Chances for an Israeli Applicant

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>I'm from Israel, almost 21 and applying to these schools:
1. Bates
2. Bucknell University
3. Claremont McKenna
4. Colby
5. Colgate University
6. Davidson College
7. Depauw
8. Kenyon College
9. Lafayette College
10. Middlebury College
11. Sewanee
12. Trinity College
13. Union College
14. Hamilton
15. Dickinson</p>

<p>unfortunately, I am demonstrating a significant amount of financial need (full cost minus around 10000K). all schools above meet/almost meet a 100% of an international student's financial need, and that's the main reason for choosing these schools.
About myself - I graduated high school in 2008. My overall unweighted high school GPA is 3.7, however I took the most advanced science courses and received A's and A+'s on them. I put a lot of effort into my studies my last two years in high school and have very high grades in those years. I took two BA level courses at a university here when I was 17 and received 89 and 90 (out of a 100). Served in the army here in Israel in an elite unit and lead a project that received the Israel Defense Prize. I have a lot of leadership experience, within and without the army.
My SAT score is 1440/2180 (one sitting: M:780, CR:660, W:740). I'm taking SAT II in January in math 2 and chemistry. My TOEFL is 112 (30 on the reading there).
Work Experience:
Software developer from the age of 16 to 18. Lead a year-long high grossing project when I was 17.
During and alongside the army, worked as a head of technology for a start up in the mobile phones field.
Currently a senior software developer at a hitech company.
Currently working as freelance security expert (malware research, reverse engineering and so forth)
EC's
Spent 4 months in the states after high school and obtained a private pilots license
Volunteered at Pilots for Charity to fly children with long term diseases
Volunteered at El-Al Israel Airlines and helped them built their pilots training program
Been playing guitar for 5 years, school performances and so forth
Tennis – played for 5 years and coached kids.
Volunteered at the Israeli civil guard and as an anti drugs spokesperson
Traveled extensively around the world, for business and for pleasure.</p>

<p>We don’t have honors / AP here in Israel, however I received a 787 out of 800 (99th percentile) on the Israeli SAT equivalent.</p>

<p>My writing is good and I think I have a lot to say about myself – I am a high achiever and I have a lot of interests, an interesting perspective and can offer a great deal of diversity. I get along with everybody, am very sociable, and have very good recommendations (from teachers, army, and employers). I also think that not a lot of Israelis (or Middle Easterns in general) apply to american colleges so hopefully that will up my chances.</p>

<p>is there anything I can do to make myself more appealing?
please let me know your thoughts - i will chance back with pleasure!</p>

<p>Posting the same thing over and over won’t yield anything useful.</p>

<p>The bottom line is no one here can tell any international needing aid whether they’ll get in anywhere. Maybe an internationally accomplished musician with a 2400 at Harvard…but for mere mortals, we just can’t know.</p>

<p>Each of these schools may offer the type of aid you need to ten internationals each year. They may want some representation from Israel this year or not. They may have good full paying Israeli candidates or not. They may or may not have better candidates also looking for aid.</p>

<p>So you can’t be chanced like domestic applicants. You’ll need to make your best case and then hope that lady luck is on your side.</p>