<p>All of them are BIG reaches. Low income is a small boost at some colleges, but it won't make up for low scores. You didn't tell us what's unique in your background. You are in the most competitive pool there is, Asian. As recent research shows, you need to score higher than whites for the same chance.</p>
<p>my parents do work. but it's been really really hard for them. i can't really detail u on what's been going on cuz it's kind of personal, sorry. </p>
<p>yeah my counselor didn't believe me either... until he saw the tax returns. haha</p>
<p>If you're parents' financial situation is causing a situation you had to overcome through work, then putting that in an essay might help your chances at some of the Ivies. Otherwise, bobby100 is correct that the low SAT/ACT scores will hold you back there, although you are still a match at UCB/UCLA/UCSD, and a safety to safe match at all the other UCs.</p>
<p>It would appear that you should try for the Ivies, where as a low income student you are likely to get a free ride, since at the UCs you will pay $6,000 to $7,000 a year for tuition and another $10,000 to $12,000 per year for room and board (unless you live close to the school you are accepted at). (You will get loans and maybe a scholarship to help with this, but not a free ride like at the Ivies). </p>
<p>You could also consider places like Rice, George Washington, or Georgetown, where you would also have a good chance at a lot of financial aid, and where your chances would be much better than at the schools you listed.</p>
<p>It sounds as if you live in California. If so, are you planning to apply to four UCs? I've heard that you can do that on one application. Other than that, your list seems really off base to me. If your scores go up a lot, that list will be more reasonable. But for now, you need to look at good schools that you seem to be a match for, and that have plenty of financial aid to give out. You will be eligible for need-based aid, that is for sure. However, you need a lot of aid. Some schools would rather give 10K to four people than 40K to one person. In my opinion, if you need lots of aid, you should just forget about super-reach schools. Getting into a place with the aid is enough of a job. You need to apply to quite a few places, and you need to be realistic and a little modest about your chances. You also need to seriously check into which schools have aid to give. Do not assume that every school has a pot of money available. Many liberal arts colleges give great aid, and fewer people apply for it. If you are female, you should at least consider places like Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Mount Holyoke. If you are male- consider some good liberal arts colleges that need more guys.</p>