I’ve always wanted to become a scientist and work on hard problems to push humanity forward. I’m from a third world country and studying in US has been a dream for me for almost a decade now. Unfortunately, my family isn’t rich and couldn’t get a loan for my education even if I got scholarships. I had to solve the money problem myself. So to achieve financial freedom, I taught myself programming after high school, worked in startup, and as a freelance web developer. I’ve been unemployed for years now, because depression got the better of me. I don’t have a strong resume or good high school records. Is there still hope for me? I think I have made a huge mistake in my life and my dream is unachievable because it’s too late. I’m still working to find a way to earn enough to finally be able to afford to go to a US university or college. I’m closer to that. But I feel I’ll have no chance competing against students who have stellar high school records and resume. Growing up I didn’t get many opportunities or had access to books. I keep regretting my past. But all I want is some hope that my dream is still achievable. Do I still have a chance of getting admitted to a good university?
Are you a US citizen or permanent resident, and what is your state or location of residency?
If you are a US citizen or permanent resident with residency in a state with a good community college to state university pathway, then the most doable roadmap is likely that pathway if your high school record is not so good.
If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, then it is much more difficult to have any pathway through a US university if you have little money and a not so good high school record.
I’m not a US citizen (edited my post to reflect that).
Let’s say If I achieve something remarkable (like make an app that becomes popular) would that increase my chances? My school records from 9th to 10th grade we above average. But in the last two years of my school the teachers favored students who attended their private tuitions (even leaked exam papers to them) and when I complained to the principal they harassed me in class with rude remarks/physical violence and stricter marking in exams. After a point, I stopped caring, and it took a toll on my mental health. I was already going through existential crisis then. Can I explain all this in my application?
In general, international students with little money will not be able to afford bachelor’s degree programs in US universities. Large merit scholarships available to international students are very rare and very competitive, probably very out of reach if your most recent school records (high school in your case) do not show top-end academic performance.
That’s the pill of it all.
The colleges and universities, in the US, are typically good colleges and have to abide by strong accreditation principles or, they wont get students and families willing to pay their fees. The majority aren’t known outside the US, but these are still good, strong schools. Almost every state has a public university or college where state residents attend because of location, costs and individual preference. They expect decent GPA’s, Tests, and EC’s.
The top colleges seem to be the only ones that international students tend to target but they are few, and are uber competitive and expensive. You have to be, not only excellent to be admitted, but also you have to be the best student from your country on a national or international level (think of Olympians, Malalas’ and Gretas).
If you had excellent grades in high school, then you could possibly make a case for entry into a college with possible limited funding, or, you would have to have the large amounts of money to pay full fees-anywhere from $40K to $80K US, per year (depending on the university charges). That situation isn’t in your history.
To be admitted to the US colleges and universities you need:
Competitive GPA’s
Competitive SAT or ACT scores
Letters of Recommendation (for some schools)
Extracurriculars that show who you are. (your work is your EC)
If your grades were weak, your SAT/ACT scores, if high, might be considered. Some schools that would consider high SAT/ACTs would want explanations for your weak grades from faculty and recommenders. (You cannot take an SAT/ACT now because it is a high school test taken by teens). No, you wouldn’t earn any merit scholarships and you would be full pay. This isn’t your situation either.
Sorry, but you face a very improbable task.
Without grades, test scores (being test optional wont help without grades), recommenders and cash, your chances of entry, to any level US university, are basically nil.
If you can get into a college or university in your country to make up for your previous grade history, you may have a chance as an international transfer. The problem with this method is that international transfer students have really poor chances and you would need to be full pay.
Note: Living in the US is expensive. International students often assume that they can work in the US and help pay for tuition and room/board. Your visa doesn’t allow for more than minimum wage-type jobs which wont even begin to cover your daily living expenses. Hours are minimally allowed.
Sorry, but it doesn’t look good.
Work on your depression and find a job in your country. Perhaps a job where you feel like you are helping people will give you peace.
Sorry, I meant to add that this issue should be your priority. Going to an unfamiliar foreign country, to escape depression, will not fix nor solve your depression issues. If anything, it could aggravate them. Find a great counselor and work out these issues.
I agree with @2plustrio. Finding a job, where you use your expertise to help others, will be beneficial both to you as well as to the others you serve.