<p>I'm an international student (Asian, from Singapore) and I'm pretty new to the whole admissions process. The colleges I've selected right now are those that give substantial financial aid even to international students. Need help differentiating if a match is actually a reach and to narrow down colleges (have 11 right now but I want to get down to max 7?)</p>
<p>Dartmouth College high reach
Amherst college high reach
Williams college high reach
Middlebury college high reach</p>
<p>Vassar college low reach
Hamilton college low reach
Washington and Lee University low reach</p>
<p>Bates college match
Colby college match</p>
<p>St lawrence university safety
Trinity college safety</p>
<p>Current SAT1 score is 1960
CR 740
M 690
W 530</p>
<p>Taking it again in October, expecting at least a 2150? Taking SAT2 in November, expecting 800 for Math2, 750+ for Chem and Bio/Lit.</p>
<p>My ECs are pretty standard: I did organize some volunteer projects, and participated too (over 200h total) took part in a biology conservation project overseas, represented school in a sport for 2 years, photography club 3 years...</p>
<p>My family income is really little so I'll need almost full ride tuition. Dad earns 3k/mth, mom has retired and older brother just started working in a manual job (1-2k/mth), and I have a younger brother who's still schooling. I'm a first generation college student, neither parents nor brother attended college.</p>
<p>I'm interested in a premed course, or maybe neuroscience/biochem. Any advice? Thank you.</p>
<p>Also I’m currently doing A levels (the Singapore one). I’m probably going to be predicted all As (maybe 1B) for my subjects. H2 Biology, H2 Chemistry, H2 Math, H2 Economics, H1 General Paper.</p>
<p>If you had to go with the 1960 and a comparable GPA, you certainly wouldn’t be going to any of these schools on full ride unless there’s a heckuva backstory to your family.</p>
<p>Even with a 2150 and comparable GPA, I doubt if any of these schools would spring for a full ride. I could be wrong, but it’s not looking good even with the most optimistic forecast. There will be too many American kids with 4.0/2400s who won’t score full rides at your matches and reaches, OP.</p>
<p>Most of these schools offer only need-based financial aid and many cover full need. I know Bates offers grant-only financial aid to international students (no loans to pay back). The problem will be getting admitted as an international student. IMO you list is very heavy on reaches. While I think you have the schools in the right rough order in terms of difficulty of admission, I think that unless you have some amazing grades or a hook (a quality the school would be willing to stretch to admit you for, such as outstanding prowess in a sport the school offers or the ability to fund a new multi-million dollar campus building) many of the schools you’ve listed as matches or safeties will be reaches. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! Oh man. What kind of schools should I be looking at then for matches/safety considering I’m an international applicant? A few examples would be nice?:)</p>
<p>yes, you’re in a really tight fix for getting into a US school you can afford. Only a few US schools offer aid to internationals. You’re more or less limited to the ones listed on these three web pages:</p>
<p>Only some of these will admit you and maybe some of them will offer you adequate aid but probably not. We cannot suggest schools to you, but chances are any schools that will do this will come from these three web pages. Make sure you apply to colleges at home.</p>
</p>