<p>Hey , I know exactly how you feel…… I was in the same situation until few weeks ago… as an international student needing full financial aid. </p>
<p>I am also an international student from Daejeon South Korea, and all hope seemed lost when my father’s R visa application thingies got rejected twice, so our entire family became, and still is, undocumented in the summer of my sophomore year (after F1/F2 visa expired.)</p>
<p>Btw since you said religious school I will assume it is a christian school. </p>
<p>Junior year was pretty depressing and difficult… and with articles/stats similar to this one
<a href=“Opinion | Asians: Too Smart for Their Own Good? - The New York Times”>Opinion | Asians: Too Smart for Their Own Good? - The New York Times;
talking about how harder it is for Asians, I was discouraged /indignant/depressed too regarding my financial status/immigration status/race. I was also angry at my parents and God. I mean R visa is for religious workers, and my father is a pastor;I just couldn’t understand why God had “forsaken me”… making everything so frustrating… I was starting to question the merits of Christianity… </p>
<p>After a period of teenage angst/depression first quarter of junior year … our family prayed a lot… and I did too… I tried my best to stay optimistic and tried not to lose hope, applied to things like QuestBridge, started studying like how used to do in school (before hearing the news about immigration status), started working really hard on essays for months (knowing that I was at disadvantage), and I became one of the lucky 895 students that got in to Harvard Early Action this year. I also received a full ride thanks to their need blind- meeting 100% demonstrated need policy. Also Obama’s deferred action plan passed.</p>
<p>So yeah… From my experience, it is no use worrying now. Worrying will only lead to depression… It is indeed a lot harder for you, and there are only 6 colleges in the U.S that are Need blind AND meet 100% demonstrated need FOR International students (Harvard,Yale,Princeton,MIT,Dartmouth,Amherst so apply to them all since needing Finaicial aid will not hurt your chances for theese schools in anyways), but nevertheless it is not impossible. </p>
<p>You can pm me, or ask any questions, or whatever. I hope everything works out for you, as it did with me :)</p>
<p>(If it is your 3rd year in U.S, why did you try and finish high school in 3 years? Maybe if it doesn’t work out this year finish 12th grade of high school and apply again? after refining ec/more ap/improve test score/improve essay?)</p>