<p>Nora:</p>
<p>You are a very bright student, Nora. I wouldn’t give up on private colleges. As an American citizen, you are entitled to government loans and grants. I think that you might be a little bored in a community college setting. Also, it would be nice to have the residential 4-year college experience. It is important to pick colleges, however, that want more international students and are generous with financial aid. Pomona, Tufts and Georgetown, for example, are not known for their generous aid. The University of Pennsylvania might be a good bet. As I mentioned earlier, you need a few strong extracurriculars to stand out from hundred of other international applicants. Doing something that helps women in a Muslim society would be a good idea, and it is something that you can write about in your applications. However, don’t do it just because I say so. Find something that really interests you. On a separate note, don’t overlook the Canadian colleges. McGill and Queens are excellent schools and cheaper than their American counterparts.</p>