<p>*do you know of any lists that show how much gap that these schools leave for family to pay (maybe depending on income brackets?) *</p>
<p>I doubt there is such a list by income. And stats like “avg need met” for all students don’t really tell you anything. </p>
<p>You have an EFC of 0. Are you saying that your family will be able to cover some gap? If so, how much? </p>
<p>If they can’t cover a gap, how would you cover a gap? Keep in mind that many schools include a student loan in their FA packages. So, in such a case, you won’t be able to borrow to cover a gap.</p>
<p>Since your parents are low income, they may not qualify to co-sign and they may not want to co-sign loans for additional loans.</p>
<p>Belacqua, I agree that ANY college/university would be within reasonable reach for you. I’d suggest that you not focus on where you might be accepted and think about where you would best fit. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t waste any more time worrying about your SATI & II scores. Instead I’d concentrate on putting together a knockout application that focuses on who you are and what you care about. Pick two or three “themes” and enlarge on them in your essays, recommendations and supplemental materials. You have an interesting background and fine achievements, but you need to put it all together in a more cogent and impactful form.</p>
<p>Small LACs (and some of the medium sized universities) are looking for multifaceted energetic students who will contribute to the campus community in more than one way. They are also looking for good cultural fits and each school has its own personality.</p>
<p>So think about how to portray yourself and what to focus on: Asian/American background, family challeges, science accomplishments, other activities like sports, jobs. Especially if you won’t be visiting and/or interviewing – you’ll need to get your personality across in your application.</p>
<p>Being a high achieving Asian from a low income Southen family would be a plus at many LACs, but probably moreso at those that are located in rural environments or the Midwest. Urban eastcoast colleges of all sizes have an excess of Asian applicants, but conversely the rural or Midwestern LACs have difficulty attracting and matriculating high achieving Asians. Using this to your advantage I’d suggest you look at Williams, Hamilton, Grinnell, Kenyon. I’d also strongly suggest the women’s colleges, especially Smith and Mt. Holyoke.</p>
<p>I do think that Brown and Dartmouth would be within your reach but you wouldn’t get the same mileage there that you would at LACs that need Asians to boost their diversity percentages.</p>