<p>this particular international student, me, has:
sat 1 scores of 2220-2250,
sat 2 scores of 740+ in two subjects
top 5% from his class,
awesome O Levels results including one national highest
Steller ECs from school clubs, 3 leadership positions
Not many ECs from outside school, save tutoring
going to give AS exams soon.
Possible hook: (is this even a hook)...horrible..i mean horrible results in 9th grade..meteric rise in o levels and haven't looked back since..(this might be both a problem and a good thing...not sure if i want to emphasize on this)</p>
<p>Note: I am not being very specific as i am VERY paranoid about privacy.</p>
<p>Any advice is welcome.</p>
<p>I don’t think your hook is a hook. It just shows improvement. </p>
<p>I don’t know what you can do to improve your chances since only a tiny % of int’ls get accepted. </p>
<p>If you can be “full pay” then you might have a better chance at top schools that are “need aware” for int’l students.</p>
<p>You need to start by reading everything, and I do indeed mean everything, at [EducationUSA</a> | Study Abroad, Student Visa, University Fairs, College Applications and Study in the U.S. / America](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/) Then you need to make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to where you live. They are expert at helping students from your country find good places to study in the US.</p>
<p>And mom2collegekids is absolutely correct: if you can be “full pay” it will make a huge difference. If you need financial aid, read the posts by b@r!um on that topic in the International Students Forum: [International</a> Students - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/international-students/]International”>International Students - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>The country you’re from matters. a LOT.
That being said, if at all possible go full pay.
Full pay internationals are at an advantage.
Internationals needing financial aid are at a disadvantage, no matter how good your stats are.</p>
<p>oh crap…i cannot go without aid. My family said that they are willing to pay, but i know that they would have to take soooo many loans and it ll put a huge strain on the family. What kind of a son would I be if I knowingly put my family through that kind of hardship?</p>
<p>So…doom it is…:(</p>