Which colleges?

[doughboy090891]

I posted the following in 'What are my chances?'

Originally Posted by myself

I'm from Guyana. We follow a British patterned education system.

Our secondary school is like this: (I'm going to use the US grading system equivalent)
- it starts at Grade 7 and ends at Grade 11

You can either end your secondary schooling after Grade 11 or choose to study for a further two years in sixth form (which lasts two years). This is where we study A-Level subjects. So, we go through Grade 12 and Grade 13. I just finished Grade 12 and now I'm doing Grade 13 and I am applying Fall 2010 admission.

The strange situation:
- the school went to for Grades 7-11 does not 'offer' the science subjects at A-Level. So, I had to attend another school for Grades 12 and 13.

Please chance me:

Background:
First Generation College Student
Male
International (Guyanese, small South American + Caribbean country)
Indian (not Asian Indian... West Indian)

GPA:
At my old school (Grades 9, 10 and 11): around 3.5
At current school (Grade 12): 3.8 to 3.9

Rank:
After graduating from first school, 1/83
After completing first year (Grade 12) at current school, 1/100+

International Exam Scores:
Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Exams (like O-Levels): 12 Grade 1's (A's) --- this was the 6th highest score in my entire country

Advanced Subsidiary Exams (A-Levels): 4 Grade A's --- this was THE highest in my entire country

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam (Caribbean A-Level): I took only one subject from this exam board and got 1 Grade 1 (A)

SAT I:
Will take in December:

Let's assume I get:

(720 Writing)
(750 Math)
(710 Reading)

No Sat II's

Courses Taken:
We don't separate our subjects into courses, but here's what I have done to give you an idea.

Agricultural Science - 5 years
Art -2 years
Biology - 3 years
Chemistry - 3 years
Communications Studies - 1 year
Craft - 1 year
Electricity - 3 years
English Language - 5 years
English Literature - 5 years
French - 3 years
Geography -3 years
History - 3 years
Home Economics - 2 years
Human & Social Biology - 2 years
Information Technology - 3 years
Integrated Science - 5 years
Mathematics - 6 years
Music - 3 years
Physics - 4 years
Social Studies - 2 years
Spanish - 3 years
Technical Drawing - 1 year


Extracurriculars: I'm weak here, I think
I'm in a community service club (plan + organise community service projects)
Drama Club (was in charge of props +set)
Elocution Club
Impromptu Speaking Club (ranked 2nd in a competition)
School Sports (both Track and Field)


Awards:
Best A-Level performer nationally
Ranked 6th nationally for O-Level performance
Best O-Level performer at my school
Awarded for Academic Excellence in English
Awarded for Academic Excellence in Science

Essays/Recommendations:
My essays and recommendations should be solid. My Biology teacher and my Physics teacher will be writing my recommendations.

I will be applying for scholarships and financial aid. Money is a really big issue for me and at most I can only pay $6,000 per year.

I won't be taking the SAT II subject tests. Please chance me for:
- Dickinson College, PA
- Hampton U, VA
- Loyola U, LA
- U of Delaware, DE

Thank you I can return the favour if you want.

By the way, the two schools I attended are the two most prestigious secondary schools in my country. My current school has been awarded the 'Best Performing School at the CSEC O-Level Exams IN THE CARIBBEAN' for the past five years consecutively and more times before that.

I also take/took the most demanding courses available.

I was told that I had a better chance of getting financial aid/scholarships at better schools.

Can anyone point out some schools which school would be suitable to my needs/preferences?
- should be a school that generously gives financial aid to Internationals
- should be a school that is in or near to these states: NY, PA or NJ.
- should be a school that would admit me with SAT I scores alone
- what if I took 2 SAT II tests... what would be my chances now?

I am sorry for asking so many questions but I was told something about my chances before coming to CC and now I am hearing a totally different story... Thanks!

[doughboy090891]

bump

Anyone?

[Erin's Dad]

You might look here: Schools Awarding International Financial Aid
I don't know anything about the web site but it seems to have some good info.

[mom2collegekids]

You'll have to limit your applications to the few schools that offer aid to Internationals (most do not). And of the few that do, some require SAT IIs (like the ivies).

First get that list and then narrow down.