I am not talking about merit aid, but need-based aid.
Understood that schools with finite international aid may prefer several awards vs one big one, but I do think schools are more generous with the kids they really want – they can treat applicants unequally, and throw more money at the kid with a 1600 SAT if they want. Will it be enough? The only way to know is to apply.
Financial Aid means admission or no admission for most applicants; at meet need colleges, it isn’t about test scores for internationals who need aid (they’re very cultural; cultures that emphasize the 4-6 page essay with nuanced developments and exegesis-level attention to terms do poorly with SAT/ACT tests in relation to their actual level of excellence, for instance - and kids who score 1500+ are well-served by merit scholarships that want high scores and are in competition with kids from their own country who also scored very well.)
Most admitted applicants show something exceptional - potential to be significant players in their country or in the US (could be potential for Innovation, politics..), International medalists whether Olympics or Science.
Please return to assisting the OP. The general discussion of admissions rates for need-seeking internationals, particularly when it devolves into analysis paralysis, is beyond the scope of this thread
Has it been established where this places you by percentile?
Thank you all for your contributions to this thread.
I believe it now paints a clear picture of what it is to be able to get financial aid.
I was able to expand my view of schools to apply thanks to your help, and will be applying to Pomona as well after reading the recent replies.
p.s: I got jealous of my friend having a rec letter from caltech so over the past few months I contacted some postdocs and was able to join an astronomy research team to help with coding + secured a rec letter.
once again thank you all for your help.