<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. Franklin and Marshall
16. Macalester
17. 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. That was my main reason for choosing these schools, but if you think of any other schools that I should apply to please let me know!
About myself - I graduated high school in 2008. My overall unweighed high school GPA is 3.7, however I took the most advanced science courses and received 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 Defence Prize (Israel Defense Prize - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). I have a lot of leadership experience, within and without the army.
I took the SAT on Sunday and hoping for somewhere between 2000-2150 (M:780, CR:650, W:720 - but I really dont know). 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)
Also involved in a start up with a few Harvard BS students.
ECS
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 dont 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).</p>
<p>how big of a difference will it make to choose a school I want to go to the most and apply ED? how bigger will my chances be if applying under ED compared to RD?</p>
<p>thanks!</p>