<p>In addition to improving on your test scores, essay, EC etc, also add (Berea, Grinelle, Oberlin, Macalester, Alabama, UNC-chap-hill etc) to your college list.
Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>I don’t see why you are ruling out your home country–Why not apply to European schools if you are European and US schools are too expensive? What will you do next year if you get admitted somewhere but can’t afford it?</p>
<p>The NACAC list has been published. You can apply to these colleges and see if they still have some financial aid.
<a href=“http://www.nacacnet.org/research/research-data/College-Openings/Pages/College-Openings-Results.aspx”>http://www.nacacnet.org/research/research-data/College-Openings/Pages/College-Openings-Results.aspx</a></p>
<p>Community colleges for international students have three drawbacks: 1° they cost 20-25k with no financial aid 2° after your two years (or three or hopping from place to place to get classes, if they’re impacted or aren’t primarily designed to help people transfer to a 4-year college) you need to pay full price at the state university and that can range from 30k on average in cheaper states to 55k in CA and 3° there are no dorms, which for any 18 year old is already an obstacle but imagine trying to understand rent, utilities, etc, in a foreign culture.</p>