<p>Hello everyone… I am an Egyptian high-school senior and I’ve always wanted to apply to American universities. I’ve finished my essay, the supplements, the recommendations… All set to go. So why didn’t I already hit the Submit button? Here’s why:</p>
<p>1-I come from a middle-income family, so my parents are not going to be able to pay the full-tuition cost. That’s why I am applying to top US universities and liberal arts colleges those who have either a need-blind admission and/or full-need financial aid this includes (Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Amherst, Dartmouth, Stanford, WASHU and NYU Abu Dhabi). So far so good. The thing is I have a relatively low score on the SAT I exam (2010 660W 630CR 720M) in comparison to the average scores of applicants admitted at such universities. Although all these universities use a ’ holistic ’ assessment of the applicants and I am sure that my other stats as well as the essays could overwhelm the SAT I score, I am afraid I am just not going to make it. I am retaking the SAT in Jan although most universities are not going to accept its score, so should I go with it or just forget about the whole application process?</p>
<p>My other stats include: SAT II MATH IC 790
MATH IIC 750
BIOLOGY 750
Go figure: I scored in Math IC and IIC higher than in the SAT!!
7 IGCSE subjects (6A* and 1 A)
3 A-Levels (2A* and A)
TOEFL IBT (111)
In my final year, I am taking 2 IGCSE subjects + 2AS (half the A-Level credit)
Good EC, recommendations and a unique essay</p>
<p>2-Let’s say I have applied, got accepted, enrolled in a college and working towards my degree. Now all I want to be is a doctor. This would normally mean joining a medical school and obtaining an MD degree. Since it’s very unlikely that my parents or I am going to inherit a fortune or win the lottery, I am still going to need financial aid. Here’s where it gets really confusing. Most American med schools don’t accept international students and those who do require putting the full tuition cost for more than a year in escrow. This is just impossible for me. Even a few undergrad colleges put this warning for international students on their admission site. I am aware that there are a handful of med schools that provide financial aid to international students- but they are very competitive and may even not be guaranteed. A loan is out of the question- not only because of insanely high interest rates but also because I don’t know any American to be my co-signer. And if I finished college, I cannot go back to Egypt for med school (lasts 7 years and starts immediately after high school) because this would mean 4 years of my life gone in vain. So the same question: should I take the unbelievably high risk, apply and hope for the best or just forget all about joining an American university and join a med school in Egypt?</p>
<p>Any feedback, opinion, experience or suggestion would be greatly helpful. Thanks in advance</p>