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.. it is probably easier to gain English proficiency if one's first language is a modern European language than, say, from an Asian language.
Very good point; that's something I didn't consider. I guess that'll teach me not to make sweeping generalizations! ;) </p>
<p>At the same time, I suspect that anyone who spent as much time as I did reading style manuals and other books about writing (in addition to literature, science nonfiction, and whatever else I read) in middle school would become a pretty good writer, regardless of his or her first language. (My first English progress report in seventh grade read "Elisabeth writes some lovely stories, but she needs to work on her grammar." I may have taken that last part a little too seriously.)</p>
<p>As for predictions, the fact that I'm an international applying for aid makes this process infinitely more competitive, so I'll just refrain from making any pronouncements about that right now. I hope you're right, though!</p>