First of all, by good I am defining the top 80~ universities mostly.
I live in Pakistan, where we do O levels and A levels
My OL grades are 3A* 4A and 2Bs. My As and A*s were on sciences, english, add maths, islamiat and maths, Bs were on urdu and pak studies.
Not giving AS so my school transcripts count, till now they are perfect (just an odd A here and there).
=> SAT: I got a 2230 (CR 700, Maths 800, Writing 730) (I might give it again if my practice tests reach 2330~ by October). In the SAT II, I’ll be giving Maths II, Chem and Physics and I don’t see myself going below 770 in them.
=> ECs: I have made a magazine that is published and has sold well.
I have done internships in my chosen field and plenty of social work as well.
For paid work, i’ve been free lancing for a long time.
I might also make a mobile app.
participated in national and international writing competitions, and won. (internationals were not that high-key though)
Participated and won national level science olympiads.
might go on an international science olympiad, subject to circumstances.
My ECs aren’t that extra-ordinary while my O Level grades are really, really average (my fault entirely, just slacked off). I am positive my teacher recs and essay will be great, already started practicing the essay with seniors and my teachers are known to write good recs.
Now, regarding “possible national student”, i have a us passport since i was born there. however, i’ve heard that since I haven’t paid taxes etc I will be taken as a international student and given minimum pell aid. I can understand the latter but is the former really true? If not, how much would this help me?
finally, my efc is $3000 max.
With all that in mind, do I stand any shot at a good university (top 80) which is affordable to me? Since I freelance and will be doing a job (no work-restrictions) + might get some sort of pell aid, I think the efc can go up $2000 more probably.