Suggest matches?(and maybe some reaches)

Background and stats
-US Citizen studying in Bangladesh, British A-Level Curriculum
-We have no GPA but I have straight A’s so near perfect I think

  • Highest marks in the country in Maths and Environmental Management in O Level exams
  • SAT I: 1520(760 EACH)
  • SAT II: PERFECT SCORES IN MATH 2 AND CHEM
    -Intended area of study: Biochemistry(or similar majors)
    -ECAs:
    1)Won prizes at the regional or national level in about every major science/math Olympiad
    2)Leadership positions at my Science Club and Community service Club(also founding member of latter)
    3)Avid graphics designer, won poster design competitions and stuff
  1. School prefect(kinda like a student discipline manager)
  2. School Magazine writer
  • EFC: no more than $9000 per year without taking loans(and really wanna avoid loans); that includes on-campus housing.
  • Dad lives in Houston, TX

So,
I’ve sent my early apps to my top-choice reach and my safety(guaranteed admission).

So, for regular decision, could you guys suggest some good matches and maybe some reaches that are…reachable? Preferably private colleges(in the US only) with good finaid.

Why private colleges?

I would suggest you look at University of Alabama, University of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Montana. You would likely garner significant merit aid at these schools…but not sure if your net cost would be less than $9000.

Any chance you are a National Merit Finalist?

Well I’m not really opposed to public ones(my safety is one).

And no I’m not a NMF. I did school outside the US

@Coolenuf61 - US citizens outside the US are eligible for the NMF. Details are here: https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=424 However the cutoff for that group usually is one of the highest. For graduation year 2020, the cutoff score was 221, so even if you had taken the PSAT/NMSQT you might not have met that cutoff.

Sadly I havent taken the PSat. Thanks regardless!

But could u suggest some other colleges, that may be good matches or low reaches for my profile?

No idea if the cost would be under $9,000 but I am struck by Washington and Lee’s explictness about aid to international students (although you are a US citizen). Plus it’s a school that wants to increase its diversity, and surely you don’t have the typical applicant’s profile.

https://www.wlu.edu/admissions/scholarships-and-aid/types-of-aid/need-based-aid/international-student-aid/

@cinnamon1212 Thanks! Apparently they meet full need without loans so I hope it’ll be close enough to 9000

Your dad is a Texas resident, so do find out if you are in-state for the public universities there. Also, find out if you can live with him. That would open up options in the Houston area that you could commute to.

@happymomof1 yup, have done that! My safety is the Uni of Houston and I can live with my dad(and I’ll qualify for in-state tuition, I checked). I’ll also apply to Rice, one of my reaches.