Transfer Advice - Where to Apply / Whether Financial Aid / Non-traditional

<p>Hi all, thanks to global financial crisis in 2009, my college life at NYU ended prematurely after only a year. 5 years have passed since, and I wish to resume my study. But maybe cuz my expectations are too high, I am having hard time even choosing the schools. I will provide all the details I could say about myself below, and I wish to hear some opinions from you all. I appreciate in advance.</p>

<ol>
<li>International student</li>
<li>Previous College and GPA: NYU CAS (international scholar) / 3.55? (waiting for transcript to check exactly; it was somewhere around 3.3 in first semester and 3.8 in second semester)</li>
<li>Highschool GPA: 3.76 (Forgot about the distinction between unweighted and weighted)</li>
<li>Class Rank: N/A</li>
<li>SATI: 2400 (Took again this year)</li>
<li>SATII: World History - 800 / SATII Math - 800 (Took again this year)</li>
<li>AP (took in 2007...ages ago but checked that I can still use): Micro/Macro Econ, Biology, World History, Human Geography, Psychology - All 5</li>
<li>EC - I was a lazy student in terms of participating in "official" school activities... Led a rehabilitation project for homeless people for a few years / wrote a research paper on North Korean government system</li>
<li>Work experience - Military service at US-ROK combined unit at the border between North and South Korea / Managed a pub for 3 years / Free-lance translator&interpretor </li>
<li>Intended Major</li>
<li>I don't think I can get any legit recommendation from my college professors....</li>
</ol>

<p>Upon reflecting what I have done in school (or absence thereof), it seems obvious what I lack - ECs and recommendations. But those are things that I can do nothing now...</p>

<p>Though I can still return to NYU as a sophomore, I want to aim higher.</p>

<p>I would appreciate any kind of advice or opinion on where to apply, what I should do now, what are my chances, etc. Help me. I know I'm greedy, but I just cannot suppress my aspirations. Thanks a lot.</p>

<p>Forgot to include intended major. I wish to major in International Relations. And I thought it would be better if I state some schools that I wish to go to - Dartmouth / Amherst / UPenn (Huntsman preferably) / Georgetown / Columbia (GS…for non-traditional students) / Northwestern / UC Berkley.</p>

<p>Again, thanks a lot and wish you all the very best ;)) </p>