Desperate international student from Chile trying to study engineering in a top school in the US.

<p>I am 19 years old, I am a high school graduate, and I want to apply to some schools in the US for next year.</p>

<p>I have only two more chances to improve my standardized tests. Do you think I have any chances to get accepted in any of the following schools, and should I focus on improving my SAT subject physics or SAT math, reading and writing?</p>

<p>UC's(Bekerley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine), MIT, University of Texas-Austin, Purdue University, Texas A&m, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Northeastern University, Penn State-University Park, University of Florida, University of Maryland(conditional admission), University of Washington, University of Winconsin-Madison, Iowa State University, Ohio State University and University of Minnesota.</p>

<p>And for these ones?</p>

<p>Georgia Tech, Stanford University, Cornell University, Columbia University, Northwestern University, Princeton University, Duke University, John Hopkins University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (These require +100 in the TOEFL, do not require it or "don't have minimums").</p>

<p>This is a little about me:</p>

<p>A) Testing+Academics</p>

<p>TOEFL: 94(R25,L26,S22,W21) and 95(R28,L26,S19,W22)</p>

<p>SAT Math: 700 (I want and I should do better, but I always mess it up).
SAT Critical Reading: 510
SAT Writing: 600
Total: 1810</p>

<p>SAT Subjects
Math 1: 710
Math 2: 770
Physics: 660</p>

<p>Chile's university selection tests
- Math: 97 percentile.
-Science(Mostly physics+bio+chem): 99 percentile.
-"Spanish"~Critical reading: 96 percentile.</p>

<p>High school GPA: 3.7</p>

<p>During my freshman, sophomore and junior years I was awarded a academic excellence recognition letter because of my grades. Despite having some difficulties learning the language, in my senior year I was in the Honor Roll.</p>

<p>B) Extracurricular activitiess+work</p>

<p>-In Chile, I was in my high school's running varsity for three years(gold and bronze medals in my high school's olympics).
-I was an exchange student in the US during my senior year(I had to study in advance in order to do well in Chile's university exams), and I took part in the ski, track and soccer teams. As a soccer team, we achieved a second place in our eastern state's championship.
-I played soccer and practiced judo for 8 years.
-I was a boy scout for 10 years (Helped communities in need+leadership, values, team work).
-Member of my school's catholic group for 2 years (Helped older and children houses).
-I started organizing christmas sales in my neighborhood every year.
-I've worked in my family business for more than 10 years cleaning, restoring, and showing properties. This gave me the chance to fix and destroy all kinds of things. I've also worked as a salesperson for holiday sales and by being an extra on movies and films.
-I opened a bike reparation workshop in my backyard because biking is one of my passions. I've ridden a bike everywhere since I was in first grade.
-I spent 2 months traveling through Europe by train, I visited several countries in America, and I had the chance to meet people from all five continents and of different sexual preferences while studying at different language schools. My family has also hosted many international students who came to study to Chile. All of this has provide me with a unique international and open-minded perspective.
-I love attending festivals, specially when they are related to science at technology.
-I've learned basic programming skills(python) by getting together with a friend who studies computer engineering.
-I also love practicing snowboarding, surf, tennis and swimming whenever I have time.</p>

<p>A top engineering school would be a reach due to your low SAT and the fact you’re international. You should apply to easier schools that are also good at engineering, like Rutgers. </p>

<p>Thank you for your advice. Do any of these schools make a difference because I am a non-native speaker? I mean, I would love to get an 800 reading in my language, but sadly I barely do 510.</p>

<p>In MIT you have the option of sending only TOEFL and Subject tests. Also, in Princeton, your CR will be waived by the TOEFL.</p>

<p>Can u afford to study in the US? Public universities generally do not give financial aid to int’l students. And privates ones will only give financial assistance to the absolutely exceptional ones.</p>

<p>Is there a StudyUSA Office in Chile u can visit fir more information?
<a href=“http://m.studyusa.com/en/”>http://m.studyusa.com/en/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;