Hopeful ivy leaguer

<p>I currently reside in Lahore, Pakistan. I am a dual national (Pakistani, American). I attend a rather elite private school and am in my first year of A levels. I recently completed my o levels. My result was 7 A<em>s, 3 As and 1B (The B is in urdu). The result is very good but not the type of exceptional that a lot of people who attend ivys have. (I know someone with 12 A</em>s, 4As but that's perhaps an isolated example. The average would be something around maybe 13 in total). My school counselor has assured me that after 8 As, it becomes more or less moot. (however in my opinion statistics speak otherwise)
I'll be giving first attempt of SAT this January. Not sure how it'll go to be quite honest.
As far as my extracurriculars are concerned I have won local MUNs and will hopefully win an international MUN in the summer. I am primarily a debater. I have several debating accolades. I was a finalist in the under17 nationals. I have been short listed for the National team that will represent Pakistan at the world schools debating championship in the summer. Beyond that, I have a gaurunteed spot in the student council. (As either headgirl, deputy headgirl or debating president).
I will require a LOT of financial aid because my family simply can't afford even 20% of this college tuition.
My parents have said they'll only let me go if I get into an ivy with full or next to full scholarship.
I'm deciding between applying early decision to either Yale, Princeton or UPenn. (perhaps Dartmouth but preferably not).
Do I have a shot? </p>

<p>Any…help…at Allll.
I only ask because I have no guidance where US colleges are concerned. </p>

<p>“Will hopefully win international”
We can’t give you good guesses based on something that didn’t happen yet.
Come back with SAT./ACT
And why Ivy league only? Do you have safeties in your school?
Since you need FA, you need to look at schools that give merit aid to int students as well.(U of Alabama, Howard University, UAB,UAH, Troy University)</p>

<p>You have two issues.</p>

<p>Can you get into the ivy League? It’s impossible for everyone…and your scores would have to be beyond stellar to make a run at this.</p>

<p>But this bigger issue is that you can’t afford the schools. And it’s very very difficult for an international student to receive any financial aid…unless you are at the absolute top.</p>

<p>sorry to be discouraging…but better to be blunt…and also look into schools way beyond the scope of hte ivys…</p>

<p>My parents have certain standards which I have no control over otherwise I would personally love to apply to some amazing liberal arts schools.
On a more pragmatic note, as a US citizen, regardless of where I carried out my education, won’t I be legible for state grants e.g. FAFSA?
Another reason why I’m here is, the dual nationality aspect of the application process is something not a lot of counselors have knowledge about. </p>

<p>Well you are the one applying so you should convince your parents to rid of “Ivy=good and ONLY good schools” perspective. </p>

<p>If you are a US citizen who studied in other countries, you will be compared with international students in that country, but will be eligible for FAFSA, Pell grant, and need based aids in many colleges. </p>

<p>Don’t most people only take 3 A levels?</p>

<p>Also chances are really slim.</p>

<p>The grades I mentioned were my o levels. I have a total of 4 A levels. I just started but my subjects are biology, physics, chemistry and math. A very challenging courseload. My o level subjects and their corresponding grades are as follows:

  1. English Language - A*
  2. Mathematics - A*
  3. Chemistry - A*
  4. Biology - A*
  5. English Literature - A*
  6. Pakistan studies (history + geography) - A*
  7. Commerce - A*
  8. Business studies - A
  9. Islamiat - A (this is religious studies)
  10. Physics - A
  11. Urdu - B.</p>

<p>Last year I knew a lot of people who are currently in ivys. One is currently in Yale with full aid. Her grades were slightly better than mine, extracurriculars were far worse. However she had 2 world distinctions. (physics and environmental management)
Would a distinction significantly improve my chances? </p>