<ol>
<li>SAT 1: previous score 1930, want to improve it to 2250.</li>
<li>SAT 2: 710(math) 700(chem)</li>
<li>TOEFL: 96</li>
<li>ECA: Debate, Karate, Community service and leadership, recitation, science projects, red crescent etc.</li>
<li>From Bangladesh, Good GPA.</li>
</ol>
<p>I want to get admitted in a reputed university(Ivy is everyone’s dream) with aid as i cant afford them.
what should be my number one priority.
do i have to improve my subject test scores?
how can i evaluate my eca? I don’t know whether I am meeting the standards or not. Do they consider Karate as a bad ECA(generally)?
<ol>
<li>Top priority is increasing your SAT scores (SAT I more importantly, but SAT II could use help too).</li>
<li>You don’t HAVE to, but if you can it’s certainly recommended.</li>
<li>Your ECs seem a bit generic and limited, although it could just be because you haven’t described them very much in your post. If you’re dedicated to them, if you have awards or leadership positions, and if you are PASSIONATE about them and can demonstrate that to admissions officers, I personally think they will be fine.</li>
<li>Not sure about safeties. To be honest, you’re an international applying for financial aid, which really puts you at a severe disadvantage relative to other applicants. I think it’s generally recommended that an international applying for aid find safeties in his/her own country, but I could be totally off on that.</li>
</ol>
<p>What is a “good” GPA? As an international, you need to be practically tops in your country. Many Bangladeshis apply to very few spots in top schools.</p>