(international, FA applicant, sophomore) What are my chances and reach/safety schools?

Prep School Admissions Prep School Chances
1

This is my first time applying for a boarding school and since I have many sources that affect my admission rate negatively, I would like to ask help for choosing the schools to apply.

Currently attending a small private US high school as a sophomore since September this year. Not competitive nor academically challenging school.

Academics in school

Standardized test score: TOEFL 100 (1st take)
7th-9th GPA: 4.0/4.0
Current course: World Literature (97%), Honors Pre Calculus (97%), Biology (100%), Anatomy and Physiology (99%), Statistics (99%), Beginning to Agriculture (99%)

Activities & Interest

<Interest in Astronomy and research:

  • Founded Astronomy club and observed stars Involved about 5 hrs a week (went up to the top of the building with a telescope at 12 am)
  • Conducted research personally and created a video presenting the results in form of science talk show, placed 2nd nationally and received grant
  • Conducted research at university about a question derived from Astronomy Club with the professor, presenting the results in front of other physic professors from various universities, placed 2nd nationally

<Interest in Agriculture and Animal Science:

  • Volunteered at an animal shelter for 2 yrs - rescued abandoned animals and trained them to serve as special purpose service animals
  • Participated national level camp held at vet school for high school students who are interested in veterinary science
  • Joined FFA (agricultural organization in the US) with secretary position, district level awards

<Interest in Veterinary Mechanics (How animals function and their structures):

  • Intrigued after acquainting the fact about sleep awareness of cats compared to human, conducted a research personally
  • Intrigued after acquainting the fact about arctic tern (Sterna Paradisaea) which travels the most distance in the world, conducted a research personally

<Interest in Biology (My interest in Animal Science motivated me to study Biology since it was the fundamental of Animal Science.)

  • Founder of Medical Club: biomedical experiments using DNA electrophoresis, contacted professor at med school and asked to give us students a lecture about biomedical technology
  • Intrigued after studying modern biotechnology, conducted a research at a company relating to DNA electrophoresis experiment before

<Music

  • 1st trumpet: played in school band for 3 yrs, participated in state-level Orchestra Competition, placed 2nd
    (had to quit due to physical conditions…sad)
  • Ukulele: self-studied for 6 yrs, made various arrangements
  • Guitar: self-studied for 1 yr, own composition

<Sport
Wasn’t provided any sport in my home country but participating in Varsity Girls Soccer team in the US

Financial Aid

As much as possible… can’t afford much.

Applying to

10th or 9th grade
It would be great to start as a freshman, but I don’t think our family can afford that much money for 4 yrs.
I might apply to 9th if boarding tuition is less than $20,000 after receiving financial aid.

Weakness

low TOEFL score, lacking the ability to speak fluent English which will lead to bad interview (I have been in the US for 2 months now), expecting bad teachers and principal recommendations since I have been knowing them for a very short time

General

With curiosity and interest, I like to do researches but nothing major. Mostly it’s just for fun. As you can see Astronomy and Animal Science aren’t really related to each other. I just did activities that I like.

I would love to apply to schools with strength in science, lab(research), and agriculture.
My dream school is Hotchkiss and Putney School. (Millbrook doesn’t provide FA to international students)

What are other schools that would fit with me and my ability?

2

Your lack of fluency in English will affect your ability to do the work. Spend a year learning English and apply for the next year. Your “personal research” means nothing.

3

Talk to @SculptorDad . I believe Grier has an observatory used by girls who are interested in Astronomy. And they may have more support systems in place for girls still mastering English. Westover might be an interesting choice, too, since they have a Women in Science and Engineering program. Neither is known for having a ton of financial aid, especially for international students, but you never know…

4

There is no safety school for domestic students who needs financial aids. For international students, I am guessing that it would be only harder, if possible at all. Your best bet would be applying many schools in different academic levels and types, as long as they offer significant FA to international students, which I don’t think there are many.

You are already in a small US private high school and are doing very well there. Personally I would just stick there for two more years and aim for a good college.