I am a US citizen who has lived most of his life in Pakistan. Would I be at a disadvantage, for obvious reasons, if I’m compared to a normal American with similar stats to mine? Or would they prefer me because I’d add to the diversity? Or would it vary for different colleges?
It varies by college. Most public Us have a preference for in-state students. Some private Us are trying for as much diversity as possible.
I’m in a similar situation as you, except I have spent only my high school years living outside the country and I’m not in Pakistan. I would love to see more people contribute to this thread because it would be very helpful!
You will not be significantly advantaged or disadvantaged just for living abroad.
What will be a disadvantage is that you have no state of residence, so you will pay out-of-state tuition and fees at any public college/university UNLESS that place allows you to establish residence independently of your parents. Some do. Most don’t. Most that do would require that you live in that state for a year before starting college, and that you be able to demonstrate that you make enough money to cover more than half of your own living expenses.
That is a problem, but what about private colleges?
It depends on where you want to go and what you want to do. For very straight, conventional places, it will not be an advantage - who cares what Pakistan would mean to an accountant or computer programmer. But if you want a unique, highly individualistic university experience in a place that respects diversity and difference, you will be at a strong advantage because they know your experience will add to campus life - it will get you noticed at those types of places, then you can take it from there. Use it as an asset, it gives you a great opportunity.
We always saw it as an advantage. My d applied from France and had lived in Italy as well, so spoke 3 languages and had wide experience and perspective. This was a great advantage for the selective, undergraduate programs she applied to, in the US, Canada, and Europe. She was accepted at Ivy League schools, great liberal arts colleges, and in the end got into her dream school, Cambridge University.
Good luck.