International student Needing Help

Hey parents, CuriousBoutCollege here coming to you because… well, parents know best ^^.
I’m currently a senior at an international school and I was just wondering about the universities/colleges in America.
How would you chance me at the schools listed below?
Are there any good universities that I could perhaps get into while receiving a sizeable amount of financial aid?
Where should I apply ED II?
My parents’ income only come in at about 26,000 USD a year so financial aid is a huge part of the university selection.

I’m looking into applying to:
Amherst College
Colby College
Columbia University
Emory University
Pomona College
Washington University in St. Louis
Wesleyan University

So far, my stats are:
ACT: (taken 3x)

  • 34 Composite
  • 33 Composite
  • 34 Composite
    SAT: (taken before March 2016) 2180 out of 2400
    GPA:
  • Weighted: 4.11
  • Unweighted: 3.88
    APs:
  • World History (4)
  • Environmental Science (4)
  • Chinese Language and Culture (4)
  • Statistics (4)
    TOEFL iBT:
  • 116 out of 120

Honors:
High Honor Roll (Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 [expected] )
Tan Chin Tuan Scholarship for Excellence in Fine Arts (Grade 11)
AP Scholar with Honor (Grade 11)
Chinese Proficiency Test HSK Level 4 Certificate (Grade 11)
Excellence in Fine Arts, Violin (Grade 9, 10, 11)

My extra currics include:
Orchestra — Concertmaster, First Violinist
Article Writer — Published Writer + Award Winner
Student Council / Class Officer — Grade Representative / Treasurer
Model United Nations — Delegate, Chair, Website Developer
Robotics Club — Member, President
Debate Club — Member, Treasurer (Financial Advisor)
High School Chapel / Church Worship Band — Worship Leader, Bass Guitar Player, 1st Violinist, Vocalist
Tutor (Math and Science) — Tutor
Athletics — Table Tennis (Varsity), Basketball (JV), Badminton Varsity Team Captain and Swim Team (Varsity)
Awarded “Timothy Award” in Basketball (Grade 10)
Good Neighbors — Founder and President
Medical Club / Hospital Volunteer — Member, Communication Officer & Treasurer
Hospital Volunteer —Translator / Temporary Nurse
Yaesan Museum of Culture and Writer’s Seal Volunteer — Translator, Teacher
Math and Science Club — Tutor & Communication Officer
Agape Home Nikkie & Place — Volunteer
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education Fairs — Teacher & “Scientist”
Water Fundraiser DC, Run for Burma — Volunteer, Organizer
Chess Club — Member, President (Founder)

How is this a crisis? I expected a medical emergency or immigration problem. This is just a chance me thread. No crisis and nothing needed ASAP. You need to get some perspective.

I’m sorry, but how is this a CRISIS???

In a crisis, the best course of action is to call for a paramedic. In the US, that means calling 911.

Agree, this is not a crisis if you think a chance me thread is a “crisis” you are not ready for college.

Sorry if it doesn’t seem like a “crisis” to others, but to a senior fast approaching the deadlines of university applications that could, potentially, change the course of not only my life but also my whole family members’ lives, it’s a bit urgent.

I don’t mean to dump on you, but these deadlines have been in place for ages. It’s only “urgent” because you’ve chosen to wait until mid November.

OK, I guess we can address your question. I don’t know the particulars of those schools. But if you go to College Navigator.gov, you can find the 25th and 75th percentile scores of the kids they tend to admit. That will give you an idea of whether or not your academic expectations are realistic.

But honestly, the financial considerations are the big ones. I would suggest you start another thread, more appropriately titled, asking how those schools are with financial aid for international students with your credentials.

Good luck.

I’ll make sure to do that next time ma’am. Thank you for your advice.

moderator’s note this is not a crisis

Teasearc and reading instructions are your friends.

Let me make this real simple for you; with the exception of Amherst, which is need blind to international students, your ability to pay will be a factor at every other school on your list.

@CuriousBoutCollege
Only Emory has ED2 on your list… I think. Youre international so the standard of admission is a bit higher.

Even if you were to somehow get a full ride the cost of air travel and basics would seem prohibitive with your family’s income.

Do students from your secondary school often come to the US for college? Then your own college-placement team there will be much more helpful than any of us. They know where their graduates have been admitted, and whether or not those students fround affordable options in the US.

Also, read through everything at www.educationusa.state.gov, then make an appointment at the Advising Center closest to where you live… The counselors there will have useful ideas for you.

I’m assuming the title was changed. Too dramatic.

I don’t exactly understand how university deadlines will urgently change the lives of your family members.
I hate to bring it up but the US is having a lot of craycray people shooting up innocent victims. This would be a crisis for me and would change the course of my life and my family members. Let’s keep things in perspective.

There is limited financial aid for international students because: where do you expect the money to come from? If your income is that limited, how would you fund your travel to the US? There is no money for that.

If it is that URGENT, then you should apply to your country’s schools, and pay your fees to those schools. You don’t have to come to the US to further your education and you probably won’t come to the US given that you need money to attend. It will save you a lot of needless stress and drama.

In this manner you can avoid all of these expected crises.

Columbia is also need blind and 100% need met. That having been said, you have listed some of the most competitive colleges in the US. The admissions rates for international students is generally lower for internationals. If you were a US student, based on your GPA and test scores, you would be in the ball park, but at least for Amherst and Columbia, still a major reach. Your chances are 0 if you don’t apply. In the meantime, you should be working with your school’s guidance office and researching local alternatives for financial aid.

The original title has been changed.

What is 'craycray" people ? As noted by aunt bea.

without the contextual clues:
craycray=crazy people
FWIW: Craycray is a term currently being used by parents, in our lower SES neighborhoods, to not scare the kids, about what they hear on the news.

Hey guys, CuriousBoutCollege here.
I’m currently a senior at an international school and I was just wondering about the universities/colleges in America.
How would you chance me at the schools listed below?
Are there any good universities that I could perhaps get into while receiving a sizeable amount of financial aid?
Where should I apply ED II?
My parents’ income only come in at about 26,000 USD a year so financial aid is a huge part of the university selection.

I’m looking into applying to:
Amherst College
Colby College
Columbia University
Emory University
Pomona College
Washington University in St. Louis
Wesleyan University

So far, my stats are:
ACT: (taken 3x)

  • 34 Composite
  • 33 Composite
  • 34 Composite
    SAT: (taken before March 2016) 2180 out of 2400
    GPA:
  • Weighted: 4.11
  • Unweighted: 3.88
    APs:
  • World History (4)
  • Environmental Science (4)
  • Chinese Language and Culture (4)
  • Statistics (4)
    TOEFL iBT:
  • 116 out of 120

Honors:
High Honor Roll (Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 [expected] )
Tan Chin Tuan Scholarship for Excellence in Fine Arts (Grade 11)
AP Scholar with Honor (Grade 11)
Chinese Proficiency Test HSK Level 4 Certificate (Grade 11)
Excellence in Fine Arts, Violin (Grade 9, 10, 11)

My extra currics include:
Orchestra — Concertmaster, First Violinist
Article Writer — Published Writer + Award Winner
Student Council / Class Officer — Grade Representative / Treasurer
Model United Nations — Delegate, Chair, Website Developer
Robotics Club — Member, President
Debate Club — Member, Treasurer (Financial Advisor)
High School Chapel / Church Worship Band — Worship Leader, Bass Guitar Player, 1st Violinist, Vocalist
Tutor (Math and Science) — Tutor
Athletics — Table Tennis (Varsity), Basketball (JV), Badminton Varsity Team Captain and Swim Team (Varsity)
Awarded “Timothy Award” in Basketball (Grade 10)
Good Neighbors — Founder and President
Medical Club / Hospital Volunteer — Member, Communication Officer & Treasurer
Hospital Volunteer —Translator / Temporary Nurse
Yaesan Museum of Culture and Writer’s Seal Volunteer — Translator, Teacher
Math and Science Club — Tutor & Communication Officer
Agape Home Nikkie & Place — Volunteer
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education Fairs — Teacher & “Scientist”
Water Fundraiser DC, Run for Burma — Volunteer, Organizer
Chess Club — Member, President (Founder)

Hey guys, CuriousBoutCollege here.
I’m currently a senior at an international school and I was just wondering about the universities/colleges in America.
How would you chance me at the schools listed below?
Are there any good universities that I could perhaps get into while receiving a sizeable amount of financial aid?
Where should I apply ED II?
My parents’ income only come in at about 26,000 USD a year so financial aid is a huge part of the university selection.

I’m looking into applying to:
Amherst College
Colby College
Columbia University
Emory University
Pomona College
Washington University in St. Louis
Wesleyan University

So far, my stats are:
ACT: (taken 3x)

  • 34 Composite
  • 33 Composite
  • 34 Composite
    SAT: (taken before March 2016) 2180 out of 2400
    GPA:
  • Weighted: 4.11
  • Unweighted: 3.88
    APs:
  • World History (4)
  • Environmental Science (4)
  • Chinese Language and Culture (4)
  • Statistics (4)
    TOEFL iBT:
  • 116 out of 120

Honors:
High Honor Roll (Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 [expected] )
Tan Chin Tuan Scholarship for Excellence in Fine Arts (Grade 11)
AP Scholar with Honor (Grade 11)
Chinese Proficiency Test HSK Level 4 Certificate (Grade 11)
Excellence in Fine Arts, Violin (Grade 9, 10, 11)

My extra currics include:
Orchestra — Concertmaster, First Violinist
Article Writer — Published Writer + Award Winner
Student Council / Class Officer — Grade Representative / Treasurer
Model United Nations — Delegate, Chair, Website Developer
Robotics Club — Member, President
Debate Club — Member, Treasurer (Financial Advisor)
High School Chapel / Church Worship Band — Worship Leader, Bass Guitar Player, 1st Violinist, Vocalist
Tutor (Math and Science) — Tutor
Athletics — Table Tennis (Varsity), Basketball (JV), Badminton Varsity Team Captain and Swim Team (Varsity)
Awarded “Timothy Award” in Basketball (Grade 10)
Good Neighbors — Founder and President
Medical Club / Hospital Volunteer — Member, Communication Officer & Treasurer
Hospital Volunteer —Translator / Temporary Nurse
Yaesan Museum of Culture and Writer’s Seal Volunteer — Translator, Teacher
Math and Science Club — Tutor & Communication Officer
Agape Home Nikkie & Place — Volunteer
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education Fairs — Teacher & “Scientist”
Water Fundraiser DC, Run for Burma — Volunteer, Organizer
Chess Club — Member, President (Founder)

@CuriousBoutCollege
Emory, Colby, Pomona, and Weslyan are the only ones with ED2. Emory probably has the best fin aid out of those 4.

I don’t think so. That’d be Pomona- no loans packaged, full need met, and (by far) the largest endowment per capita of these four. They’ve got the #1 ranking for financial aid in the country by Princeton Review. If you look at net prices reported by the federal government, Pomona is cheaper on every level:

Emory:

AVERAGE NET PRICE BY INCOME 2015-2016
$0 – $30,000 $13,812
$30,001 – $48,000 $13,406
$48,001 – $75,000 $19,348
$75,001 – $110,000 $24,324
$110,001 and more $44,260

Pomona:

$0 – $30,000 $5,739
$30,001 – $48,000 $3,432
$48,001 – $75,000 $6,975
$75,001 – $110,000 $10,346
$110,001 and more $37,440

That said, these four colleges are quite different so it should come down to where you’d be happy to enroll (given it’s a binding decision). If you will have any hesitations, you should not do ED2.