<p>What factors do they take in when evaluating the application? Do they take into consideration how moving to different countries/schools can affect a student academically + mentally (having to adjust, difficult situations etc.)?</p>
<p>Depends which school you are applying to. If top 20 or the ivies, they get so many kids who do well under any circumstances, so doubt they would take any personal adjusting issues into account.
Else this is what I found at the stanford site
“If you are a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident living and attending school abroad, then you will be considered an American expatriate in our admission process. This means that, while you will be considered a domestic applicant for financial aid purposes, your application will be read in the context of your high school abroad and you may need to submit the International Supplement to the Secondary School Report.”</p>