<p>Hi there people,</p>
<p>I am a 16 year-old from France, and currently entering my senior year of high school in an international lyc</p>
<p>Hello Wowthere, if you look at the “international” board you’ll see there are two threads that deal exactly with your questions (French students who want to apply to top schools).</p>
<p>First, are you 16 and in Terminale (good for you), with your bac at the end of the year? If so, would you be taking a gap year to prepare for university entrance exams in 2013-2014? Or are you currently in Premi</p>
<p>There’s an Ask the Dean Column in CC that may be relevant to you:
[Early</a> Decision for International Student Needing Financial Aid? - Ask The Dean](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/early-decision-for-international-student-needing-financial-aid.htm]Early”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/early-decision-for-international-student-needing-financial-aid.htm)</p>
<p>It appears you will need a lot of financial aid.
However, only 6 American schools are need-blind for international students.
[Top</a> 6 Need-blind Colleges in US for International Students - Desperate Guide: Undergraduate College Financial Aid, Scholarship](<a href=“http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-6-need-blind-colleges-in-us-for-international-students]Top”>http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-6-need-blind-colleges-in-us-for-international-students)
All of these schools are extremely selective. Admission is not assured even with nearly perfect grades and very high test scores as well as strong extracurricular activities. I believe MIT is the only one that has an undergraduate business major.</p>
<p>Another 25 or more schools are need-aware, but still relatively generous with aid to international students.
[Top</a> 25 Financial Aid Colleges in US for International Students (Need-aware) - Desperate Guide: Undergraduate College Financial Aid, Scholarship](<a href=“http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-25-financial-aid-colleges-in-us-for-international-students-need-aware]Top”>http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-25-financial-aid-colleges-in-us-for-international-students-need-aware)
Most of these schools are very selective, or extremely so. Most of them do not have undergraduate business majors. </p>
<p>Most state (public) universities do not offer need-based financial aid to international students. Many private schools do, but the ones that are rich enough to be able to cover full need generally are quite selective.</p>
<p>You’ll need to demonstrate ability to pay to get a visa for study in the USA.</p>
<p>
There’s no income issue eliminating early decision; if the financial aid offer is insufficient, the admission offer is declined. One issue is the inability to compare offers; you must take or leave an ED FA offer. There’s no problem with early action, since your decision is deferred to regular decision time.</p>
<p>A school’s being need-aware should be irrelevant to applicants; it doesn’t affect the quality or desirability of a school, but rather the chance of admission. Most U.S. schools are need-blind but don’t meet full need. For those with need, a need-aware school that meets full need can work better than a need-blind school that you can’t afford; sadly, there aren’t enough of the former.</p>
<p>I just wrote this humongous response which took about half an hour to write down but it seems like I got logged out – it wouldn’t post itself. Anywho. </p>
<p>MYOS1634: Thank you so much for your kind reply, it seems like you know a lot about the French education system and it is extremely helpful.
Regarding my student profile:
- I am still in my Junior (Premi</p>
<ul>
<li><p>one thing you’ll learn very quickly is NEVER EVER to say something like “15/20” on an American forum. In American terms this means you’re barely above getting kicked out of school for poor results 
whereas in France you rank in the top 1% nationwide. Always refer to a score of 15, or 13, or 11, or whatever, and indicate where that ranks you nationally (12= top 20% nationally).</p></li>
<li><p>You need to take the TOEFL before the SAT.</p></li>
<li><p>Campus vibe: you’ll need to invest in something like Princeton Review’s 377 colleges, or Insider’s Guide to the Colleges; Colleges that change lives and/or the Kindle version of Colleges of distinction ($2.50 for tons of information).
You can buy 2nd hand editions from 2012 or even 2011, things haven’t changed THAT much, and you may be able to buy 2 used for the cost of 1 new. 
Essentially buy the cheapest ones and read them cover to cover to get an idea of colleges. (NOT what American students should do). Figure out: what common points do you see? Differences with France? elements you like and dislike among those common points? Any school that stands out and you didn’t know about (request a brochure -it’s free)?
In the meanwhile, on the International Thread you’ll see a thread by French students, read it, you’ll see advice and links. Very important: Go to LOTS of college websites and ask for college brochures (“request information”). It’s free and you’ll be able to keep that info at your fingertips.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>To see what would fit you best, let’s try these few broad questions (you have to choose one answer for 1° and 2°)
1° would you rather be in classes with 16-20 students that expect you to talk a lot, or be in a large classroom where you can be invisible (or even not very ready)?
2° does your ideal weekend involve watching sports with the fans, playing with your friends, or do you have zero interest in sports?</p>
<p>UC Berkeley costs $60,000 a year (X4 years at least) for International Students. So it’s out.
Stanford: you’d need to be involved in national-level something (sports, research, etc).</p>
<p>You need to think about yourself: what makes you special? how do you stand out? What’s your passion? (I know that the French system tries to make you conform and NOT stand out but you’re going to have to think seriously).
European Youth Parliament: can you get a leadership position in addition to what you have been doing so far? What opportunities has this given you? What have you done, learned, thanks to this position? Have you acheived anything, drafted an act, swayed a vote, passed a bill, influenced events?
Drawing: have you taken classes? Are you recognized in any way for your drawings? (School exhibit, creating an art club at school, Award, collégiens selection, Beaux Arts foundation course…?)</p>
<p>In the US, teachers are considered more middle/lower middle class than what passes for “middle class” on CC :D.</p>
<p>If you live near Paris, go to the Commission Franco Américaine, they’ll be able to answer some of your questions too.</p>
<p>Do not confuse Early Action (EA) with Early Decision (ED).</p>