I hope you’re doing well. I’m planning to pursue a CS bachelor’s in the US and would appreciate any help with my issues since studying in the US isn’t a common topic in Morocco.
I graduated high school with a Physics Sciences degree in 2021 (I took a gap year) with a 16.30 (on a scale of 20, I don’t how much is it in US grading system) and I’m also applying for scholarships.
-Is applying as test optional will decrease my chances of getting a generous aid?
-I don’t have a counselor in my hs so my teacher is taking that role but I don’t know what to put in the School Report(is it the grading system in my country?)
-What do you think about adding as an activity the 4th place in a regional Arabic Olympiad even if I’m applying for a stem major(since extracurriculars are a myth in Moroccan high schools)?
I think that the 4th place in a regional Olympiad is a very good EC to mention. Your extracurricular activities do not need to be academic and do not need to have anything at all to do with your high school. They also do not need to have anything at all to do with your intended major. A part time job is an extracurricular activity. Volunteering is an extracurricular activity. Looking after younger siblings is an extracurricular activity if you need to do this on an ongoing regular basis.
I would expect that the admissions staff at the universities that you apply to will include someone who understands the grading scale in your country. I personally have no idea how to interpret a 16.3 on a scale of 20, but someone will know at the schools that you apply to.
Whether applying test optional will impact merit aid will most likely depend upon which universities you apply to.
What is your budget? What is your budget if you do not take out any debt at all?
Will getting a bachelor’s degree in the US help your chances to get a job in Morocco after graduating? Do not expect to be able to stay in the US after you get your bachelor’s degree.
My budget is really low (I might afford 10K for the full cost of attendance).
Yes, a US degree will definitely increase my chances in Morocco. Actually, I want to use the knowledge I’ll gain to contribute to a big issue in my region, which is the digitalization of services.
Are there former students from your secondary school who pursued undergraduate studies in the US? If you can locate them, perhaps they can assist you with your US applications - you might also consider applying to the US universities these students attend(ed) since their admission officers would be more familiar with your secondary school.
Have you contacted the AMIDEAST office closest to where you live? The counselors there should be able to help you. Here is their website. I don’t know how many locations they have in Morocco. If you cannot visit in person, they will be able to advise you by email or telephone. https://www.amideast.org/morocco
If you need essentially full financial aid, then every university in the US becomes a reach.
Where does your 16.3 on a scale of 20 put you among students in your high school? You would need to be among a small set of the top students in your high school (if not in your country) to have a reasonable chance to get a full ride to a university in the US.