<p>Hello to everyone reading. A senior here graduating from an Albanian high school thinking about studying biology. I am really striking for a research university since one of my biggest dreams is to be a researcher. I am not able to pay full tuition so I will need the uni to grant me at least a half scholarship. I am going to take SAT I next month(November) and after that I'm planning to sit SAT II Biology.
What's not in my favor is that I've never attended any biology Olympiads :( besides having taken advanced biology classes during all high school years. It has never really been my first choice of study, but somehow I realised someday that it's what I love doing.</p>
<p>High school average: 10.00 (on a scale of 4-10)</p>
<p>Toefl iBT: 106</p>
<p>Extra curricular activities:
Debate groups( part of a JSA chapter in my country)
Worked as a volunteer in different organisations in my hometown
European youth parliament
President of PTPI chapter in hometown
8 years of swimming and tennis(but no races or tournaments won, even though I have always been very good at tennis, beating all fellow players in my group)</p>
<p>Foreign languages: english, italian, german</p>
<p>Which unis would you suggest? For the moment I am considering USC, Smith, Bowdoin. Since I wrote Toefl last year, I added Yale to the list of recipients, so I think it won't hurt if I apply there too. Also, I am thinking about applying to Harvard as well, just to prove my chances. Do you think I should drop the liberal arts colleges and ivies?
Thanks in advance :)</p>
<p>Hey, anyone who can help?</p>
<p>Read through the posts inthe International Students section so that no one has to reinvent the wheel for you. </p>
<p>Until you get your SAT score, it is difficult to even start to suggest schools. Also, international students are not eligible for federal and state aid, and a lot of colleges have limited funds for them, so financial and merit aid is a big issue. The cost of a private college in the US can run $60K a year. THe better you do on your SATs, the better your chances of a school coming up with the money. </p>
<p>But do read the basics about international students so you have some idea how it works and then post questions specific to your case.</p>
<p>That’s what I’ve been told but the thing is I don’t know if I’ll have enough time to properly fill out the writing section of the applications after I receive my SAT scores(21 Nov). Plus, I was thinking of applying first and then send my SAT scores. I dont want to lose time, and im afraid the latter I submit my application the lower the chance to get accepted.</p>
<p>Then wait a year untilyou have the time to do the research and pick the schools that are the best match for you and where you have the best chances of getting the money you need. You can’t look until you know that range. You need to be in the upper echelon of test scores for a school to have much of a chance of getting the money you need. You are looking for a needle in the haystack with your approach. It’ s better to take your scores and collect everyhting you need and put the careful work in your apps so starting now for NEXT YEAR is the way to do it.</p>
<p>Do you suggest taking a gap year or enrolling at a university here in my country and applying as a transfer after I finish the 1st year? Or do you have any other suggestions?
Thanks a lot for your help.</p>