Poor lad, I think he might have taken the GAP year right? He might had some exceptional skill he didn’t showcase or how else could he get that offer.
That’s very humane of you.
Are these Universities good enough for an International seeking low contribution? [3.78 GPA, rank 1]
You don’t need research as an undergrad. You need to learn the core skills that will help you BECOME a researcher. Your life isn’t over if you don’t study in the US right now. You can think about research for a Master’s degree– right now, focus on getting a Bachelor’s at a price your family can afford and which won’t bankrupt you for the rest of your working life….
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I am really on the middle of the line, in my country. paying the best, won’t get you the best education. It will you get you the best amenities. In fact, adversely education is affected as the scale goes up.
I am confused, I am struck, I am not smart nor dumb enough to live in peace.
You are plenty smart. Smart enough to start looking around at educational options that work for you. Smart enough to realize that this is the first step in your journey, not the terminal one.
Can you discuss your feelings with your parent or a teacher? They can help you gain perspective.
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There is a saying I read somewhere “the first step in the wrong staircase leads to hell”
No one cares and understands up to an extent. I go to a very malnourished school. I feel like a lone pigeon flying among the empty sky.
Pick yourself up and start looking for colleges where you WILL get accepted. There are likely plenty in many places…maybe not your original list, but someplace.
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I would urge you to think of this saying “when one door closes, another door opens”
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You and I come from very different cultural and religious traditions. But in Judaism there is a concept of “Tikkun Olam”- literally to fix the world. And Tikkun (fixing) can come from anywhere. There is a legend that says that in every age there are 36 righteous people and it is in their merit (and the good deeds they do) that world still stands. Nobody knows who they are. But they are keeping the world afloat.
So you can appreciate that my worldview does not include a wrong staircase. It emphasizes trying to fix what is broken in any way that you can. Some people have opportunities for fixing on a global stage; some people can only focus on their own town or village or community. But anyone can be among the 36. Identify a problem, work towards a solution.
I don’t think you’re anywhere near a staircase going down. I think you are going to have opportunities in life you can’t even anticipate right now. So work through your big feelings and then focus on getting a college degree. The world isn’t running out of CS (or any other subjects you want to study) and tackling the big issues facing society isn’t a limited resource. Plenty of room for hard workers and big thinkers which you clearly are.
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Lots of US students don’t do research at their universities. It’s not at all a requirement for a degree and the lack of research opportunities shouldn’t stop you from getting a university education.
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4 years actually goes by very quickly, especially as one gets older. It’s okay to focus on long-range plans if those are the best plans for your circumstances.
You can make this work! 
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1430 is a very good score!!
@tsbna44 i know you often post about schools in the south that that give free tuition (and sometimes a full ride) for various SAT scores. Are there any that the OP would qualify for with a 1430?
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Its not just about passing time I believe, It is about using it. I still would be a handicapped up to an extent without those 4 fruitful years.
I don’t think so, considering I am an international.
I am a bit confused on retaking either one of the november or the december sat. These are my last chances I believe
I am not a national student that I get accepted somewhere. As an international I am either the top or the full-pay.
That’s simply not true.
@tsbna44 @ucbalumnus any ideas for this student?
@MYOS1634 where abroad could this student look…that would be affordable.
@Charann you also might want to open your mind to colleges in your home country.
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There are US universities that provide merit scholarships to international students. @tsbna44 may be able to name some that work for you.
I truly feel that spirituality of your religion.
It is easy to identify a problem, problems are everywhere. But, the knowledge required to solve these problems are only held by a select few who have access to the right tools such as education and decide what they want to do with the fates of many or I dare say, all. See for example, world hunger.
Education I can’t emphasize is so important to make an impact. You see world leaders, Noble scientists are produced at these institutions, they can’t be here 4 years again is not just for an degree, its for an academic revolution, the peaks of intellect. Even the highest officials of my country, send their children to your schools because the flaw is in our system. If I had even the tiniest bit of chance, these universities would give me greater resources to work on. How could I fix something, If I am myself broken.
There is plenty of room, but there aren’t plenty of people to be classified into that room.
I couldn’t disagree more vehemently.
My doctor (board certified in Obstetrics, Gynecology AND neo-natal pediatrics) spends a month every year in India. He is not doing any of the things his education has prepared him to do. He goes out to remote villages and teaches midwives how to properly wash their hands. Again and again and again. For a month. He believes he has cut down on maternal and infant mortality by a significant amount although there is nobody tracking what he is doing. He believes that the single most powerful medical intervention in India right now is proper handwashing for ANYONE who is touching a wound, a body fluid, a newborn baby, etc. Preventing sepsis or other types of infections is the cheapest life saving technique in the world (according to him) and does not require an MRI machine or a ventilator or even electricity.
His years of education have taught him sophisticated diagnostic and surgical techniques which he uses in the US. But when he travels, he teaches basic hygiene which he believes is the most significant contribution he can make to humanity.
I am pretty sure that you have skills- today- that can help solve problems. Do you know how to set up a spreadsheet? Can you teach English? (you can certainly write in it!) Have you ever built a website? Going to college to develop high level skills is important and I know you will excel wherever you go. But you don’t need to wait to start solving problems. You can be like my doctor and just identify a skill that you have and go and do it.
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I cannot remember the original book I read it in, but simply introducing handwashing into hospitals originally massively reduced the mortality rates from childbirth and surgery. Hard to believe now, but there was a time when doctors were hostile to soap and even considered it harmful. So I totally buy this.
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I can’t lose my chance I need to apply to them all. I’ll have to work hard and somehow manage them