<p>I know there is already a thread bout this but I would like some specific advice--</p>
<p>I am Japanese, half Hispanic and half Japanese..go to a quite competitive high school, native language is Japanese but fluent in English.. took all AP and honours courses when possible, 2 varsity sports, NHS, 2 summer job experience (300+hours for all), and good at music in general..composed many songs although not published, ear-arranging skills. Essays and recs are good. Plan on majoring in a music program (applied to Oberlin Conservatory RD) </p>
<p>SAT I-2140
SAT II-Expecting 700s on World History, and hopefully Bio E/Math 2. I know, as Asian I should b easily getting 700+ on Math/Bio but I am not the stereotypical Japanese.. I like subjects like history, politics, literature more than math ( i hate math.) </p>
<p>My family is not rich, I will just say our income is below the average income in Japan. So I need aid, but as International I know that it is extremely competitive in terms of aid. </p>
<p>Having said the above, I want to know if there are any places I could get into without too much difficulty, which would give me generous aid, loans are OK as long as it's combined with need-based aid... Parent contribution is $4000 and I know this is about 1/10 of the cost of college. My parents are struggling already and I don't want them to be pressured. In fact I am applying for a full scholarship at Oberlin and some other ridiculously hard schools (which I would love to get into) like Amherst and Stanford, which give aid to internationals. </p>
<p>What I need are match/safeties where I could get a lot of money, either through scholarship or need-based. I don't really care about the diversity crap and whatnot, the only and single issue for me in college is money. Period. All my rich classmates are applying to those crazy expensive schools with almost no aid to internationals, like UCLA or USC, BU and NYU. I feel so bad being poor..</p>
<p>It'd be great if someone can suggest a California school and a New England school. I want to be in those areas because there are lots of my friends nearby... although it's ok if they aren't. Still I prefer the coasts. I don't give a damn about dorm quality and trivial matters, as long as it has a decent reputation and lots of money, a desk, and a chair where I can study.. I know, sounds really saddening but in the end it all comes down to money, which is even sadder. You may be blunt as you wish, I have been told numerous times this sentence</p>
<p>"It's extremely difficult for poor international students to get financial aid, and they'll reject you if you don't have enough money." </p>
<p>Just don't say this cause I know already. If I don't get into college, hell, I won't die.</p>
<p>If you want any additional data of myself PM me. Thanks for reading this long post.</p>