<p>Hi.</p>
<p>I am really worried for my education. I am from korea and my parents cannot afford college. I come from a poor family. We have a house but net savings in bank around $10000. I really want to try ED to Dartmouth cause of its need-blind. Scholarships here are rare. </p>
<p>My results are not fantastic but not too bad.
Mostly As with few Bs for college examinations
SAT I Math 760 Reading 760 Writing 760
SAT II Math 800 Physics 800 Chemistry 780</p>
<p>I am quite involved in ECs... but don't really have great achievements like International Olympiads.</p>
<p>Symphonic Band
- Play Oboe, English Horn
- President
- Perform at various concerts including Sydney Opera House
- National Gold Award for Orchestra
Executive committee for Humanitarian Service Group
- In charge of organising service projects
- Initiated a few large scale service projects and worked with numerous charities
Oratorical Society
- Emcee for school & external events
Business Programme
- Work with charity to raise funds
Science Research Society
- Did molecular cell research for 3-4 years
- Won commendation award at National Research Competition
Grassroot involvement
- School ambassador with state government to promote active citizenry among youths
- Member of national forum working on policy-making
- Member of school programme for government studies
- Youth mentor of state activism programme in charge of deciding & dispersing grants for grassroots initiatives
Organisation
- President and founder of Youth Business Conference
- Part of organising team of National Forum for Volunteerism
Internship
- Short internship at local research firm
- Internship at Ministry of State Security</p>
<p>Please help me rate my chances and what other schools should I apply in view of my financial circumstances?</p>
<p>All help's greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>THANKS :)</p>
<p>Hey Buddy I’m poor too and I’m 2nd generation American how sad is that! Neither of my parent’s own a home, and my dad works under the table so he doesn’t have to pay child support, after 35 years of construction he still doesn’t have **** to show for it. I’d say your poor and I feel for you I really do I know how hard it can be, but keep your head up you’ve worked your ass off through high school and now your looking at enrolling in prestigious schools such as Dartmouth! What a blessing your parent’s must be proud.</p>
<p>My advice to you is write a phenomenal essay about your upbringing, turn your disadvantages into advantages. Take a grant/scholarship work shop class at your local community college and see what kind of money you can bring in. There is all kinds of money out there for kids in your situation, you have a great story to tell, do your research and you’ll be fine. Good luck to you:)</p>
<p>Hi Berkeleyblonde. Thank you for your encouraging words. It really motivates me to work hard. :)</p>
<p>I wish you all the best in your personal endeavors. Are you applying for college too?</p>
<p>wow… johnykim, did you just say that you are ’ POOR’ despite having $10000 in your parents’ bank account. That sums up to like 0.7 million in my country which is awesome…</p>
<p>You need a full ride and I see that you actually may get it… </p>
<p>Think about someone who has not more than may be $100 at his dispense, doesn’t have 700s in his SATs( except may be on math section) to bet on and also is an adult student who graduated from high school more than four years ago…</p>
<p>Don’t ever tell that you are disadvantaged or poor…</p>
<p>Due to your financial situation, you probably are going to get a gigantic financial aid package. Don’t worry too much about paying for college. Dartmouth is need-blind, so even if you are poor it won’t effect your chances for admission. Your best bet is to write a killer essay explaining your background, apply for financial aid and try to get as many scholarship/grants to lower the amount of loans. You definitely have a chance. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the encouragement and support. </p>
<p>@specific I actually do count myself as quite fortunate. I have very loving and supportive parents. Nothing more to ask for actually. :)</p>
<p>Are there any other schools I have a reach/match for? </p>
<p>Also, can someone early action some other schools in addition to EDing for Dartmouth?</p>
<p>Congratulations on NOT playing the piano or violin! 
Good oboists are often in demand, and the English horn is not a common instrument. Definitely submit an arts supplement wherever you apply, featuring yourself on both instruments, if you are good at both.</p>
<p>I think that you need to check on the issue of FA and internationals at D and elsewhere. Many schools that are need-blind for US students are NOT need blind for internationals. Things have been changing in the last 2 years, and some schools have retrenched on FA for internationals.</p>
<p>You might find more information in the Financial Aid and International (I think there’s one) subforums on CC.</p>
<p>“Please help me rate my chances and what other schools should I apply in view of my financial circumstances?”</p>
<p>You should also apply to USC, which has scholarships for outstanding International students [Submit part 1 of your application by Oct 15, and have your complete application submitted before the Dec 1 deadline for scholarship eligibility, which will NOT preclude you from applying early elsewhere] It is one of the most ethnically diverse U’s in the US and is well known on the Pacific rim. </p>
<p>[International</a> Students - USC Undergraduate Admission](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/inter_students.html]International”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/inter_students.html)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/private/docs/1112/uscScholarships1213.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/private/docs/1112/uscScholarships1213.pdf</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1011/FreshmanProfile2010.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/1011/FreshmanProfile2010.pdf</a></p>
<p>DS was accepted at Dartmouth, but chose to go to USC when he received a full tuition scholarship. He is now at Cal Tech for his PhD.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure Dartmouth is still need-blind for internationals.</p>