<p>@ Redroses: May I assume that by “[my pool]” you include not only my being a low-income student, but also as an Asian, in terms of my “scores well below median”? I’ve tried researching on CollegeBoard and universities’ sites where it would appear that I barely meet a lower threshold in terms of my SAT score, but in many others I do reach the median—please correct me if I am misreading or misunderstanding this information.</p>
<p>Is there something else that would clarify my strengths as an applicant? I believe I could be a very strong applicant. I have left out some small factors like my being a first-generation college student. I’m still unclear about being Thai as any distinction under this whole competitive, Asian bracket.</p>
<p>@JohnAdams12: I have heard that Johns Hopkins tends to be a little more stingy with their financial aid, and that they are NOT need-blind. Can you confirm this?</p>
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I would have believed that about the first half of my list were reaches, while the rest might have gone under match, with UC Irvine being a safety. Am I gravely underestimating the weight of the SAT score at these top universities?</p>