Hi, so I am a immigrant who came here 10 years ago. I have been attending school in the US since 2nd grade and identify with this country as my home. Due to a backlog in the greencard process, I am still on an H-4 visa. For HYPMS(I am applying to other schools too but I’m asking for these schools specifically), would I be considered an international applicant? If so, will it hurt my chances significantly even if I explain my situation in the special circumstances box?
Yes
Yes. International applicants have lower acceptance rates. No amount of explaining changes the fact that you are international.
Because you will be applying as an international student, some of the recommendations on your other threads will be inaccurate. Have you already sent in any applications? Did you apply as an international student for those?
For international students, only HYP, MIT, and Amherst are need-blind…an international student needing full aid is not a hook at those schools.
All other schools are need aware for internationals, so needing full aid will be a disadvantage at those schools, to what extent we do not know (the admissions decision will depend on many factors). What can/will your family pay each year for college?
It is difficult for international students who need substantial financial aid to identify match and highly likely schools that are affordable…perhaps start a new thread noting you are an international student attending high school in Texas and posters can better help you with your full list.
Note that international students in Texas may be eligible for Texas residency through high school graduation after sufficient time living in Texas. This may be helpful, given that you may otherwise have limited options as an international student.
https://admissions.utexas.edu/residency#fndtn-t143-requirements
It depends upon your state if you will be at disadvantage for state college and university admissions. NY, for example, you might be treated the same as a citizen if you qualify as a NY resident and have been at a NY high school. You even can be eligible for state funds for financial aid.
Where you will be at particular disadvantage, overall, as an international student is for federal financial aid, and other financial aid, in general, though not everywhere.
It appears as though Texas has possibilities too for your situation