Yet another international student looking for scholarship/aid...help me with my list

Student Lounge International Students
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<p>Hi, I'm a Bangladeshi applying to colleges for Fall 2015 and like many other applicants I can't afford it without a FULL scholarship/financial aid.
First off, my stats:
A levels
4As in Physics, Accounting, Mathematics, Further mathematics and a B in additional further mathematics (It was incredibly difficult to teach myself since no one EVER takes it where I live. In fact they didn't even have the books...I had to download e-books. I mention this since legend has it that unis like a rigorous curriculum so maybe it'll pay off? :-? )
SAT :at least 2300 (expected)</p>

<p>Second, the dreaded E.Cs:</p>

<p>I'd like to start off with I realize I don't have great E.Cs. Now I had no idea of this fact until the internet slammed at my face hundreds of high-schoolers with their billions of hours of volunteer work and millions of "leadership positions" and whatnot. Anyways, here's what I think qualifies as E.Cs:</p>

<p>->Taught myself extremely basic "programming" when I was 14. I made a pretty good accounting "software" and sold it to my uncle's company. They used it for all their bookkeeping for a couple of years.</p>

<p>->Started learning web-design and web-development and SEO(search engine optimization) a couple of years ago. Wrote SEO-optimized articles for a local freelancer and made a small part-time income from that.</p>

<p>->Founded, developed(along with a couple of other freelancers) and launched a not-for-profit site that promotes local content(local videos and blogs). Current state of internet presence of Bangladeshis is very poor and we need a lot more local content to promote our culture and encourage locals to start using the internet.However, the site is still in the minor leagus itself.</p>

<p>-> Wrote tutorial articles about one complete web-development language for the first online coding school in the country.</p>

<p>Now, If you actually made it through all that text, the reason for posting all of this is so you guys can point me in the right direction. Since I NEED a full ride(tuition+room and board) I'm only looking at schools that offer full rides.So...</p>

<p>Question 1: Should I concentrate on merit scholarships or should I concentrate on financial aid?</p>

<p>Question 2: Regarding scholarships, I have only looked at institutional ones because external ones seem to be too much hassle or overly competitive, should I start looking a external ones as well?</p>

<p>My list so far comprises of low-tier research unis like Louisiana Tech and Florida international since they offer automatic scholarships. I would also apply to a few reaches I like but I do not know If I could get a presidential scholarship at someplace like U Illinois or U buffalo. What do you guys think...
Question 3: What type of colleges should I apply to...Public or private, big research unis or small LACs, middle-tier or "bottom-tier"?</p>

<p>Thanks for reading. Looking forward to some much-needed advice :) </p>

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<p>@guyonthewall Your EC’s are awesome, if you could get at least 2300, why don’t you take your chances at ivies and other top notch school, with some additional safety school.</p>

<p>1)Financial aid is the better option
2)don’t waste much time on those</p>

<p>3) As long as you get your predicted sat score, you should definitely apply to a top tier school. The chance of getting a financial aid, is significantly higher, as the university rank get higher. In fact some schools are need-blind, in that your financial situation, is not put into consideration when reviewing your application. If you get accepted there it is almost a guarantee you will be given a financial aid.</p>

<p>But as good as that sound, well probably because it is , the chance of getting in to those schools, is very difficult.(Example HARVARD).</p>

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<p>Were your courses and activities only geared toward CS? The universities like students who have attempted varied activities and coursework because. . . . . this is what faces the new student when they attend an American College/University. If you haven’t stepped out of your comfort zone, it will be a little more difficult to gain admittance anywhere. </p>

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<p>@"aunt bea"‌ :</p>

<p>Actually, that depends on the college, so I wouldn’t overgeneralize. Some colleges admit by major or school, and like “pointy” specialists. </p>

<p>To the OP: the privates would have the best fin aid for you. LACs to a large degree (though many aren’t that great for CS). Still, I think you have the credentials to try for many of the full-need need-blind elite privates. Keep the automatic full-ride schools as safeties.</p>

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<p>Those ec’s are amazing. The people with millions of leadership positions you are referring to often lack passion or commitment towards their activities. Having many extracurriculars is not necessarily great. I read your extracurriculars and immediately saw a passion for computer science. All you ecs are focused and you have truly immersed yourself in all of them. This is great. A 2300+ Sat is of course amazing but if you can get anything above a 2200 thats already good so don’t stress if you can’t get 2300. If I were I would definitely to Top schools. There are 6 need blind colleges in the US for internationals. These are the most competitive ones so be sure that while you will be a competitive applicant nothing is guaranteed with these schools. Here they are,</p>

<p>MIT
Harvard
Princeton
Yale
Dartmouth
Amherst</p>

<p>Research these pick 2 or 3 that you think you would fit in great academically and get working on those essays. The essays are extremely important so make sure yours are more than top notch.</p>

<p>Good luck! </p>

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<p>Hey, onthewall, I think Yale would be an interesting “fit” for you. Not that many CS geeks gravitate towards Yale. Your written English skills are excellent and I think you might enjoy the diversity of super talented students at Yale. I’m guessing you’re not a typical, one-sided tech geek and might be interested in Econ, International Relations, and other pursuits that would benefit your country. Weave that all into your Yale essays/responses and I think you have a better than average chance.</p>