Desperate, hungry, war torn African begs your guidance to escape the odds … pls [international, 95.5/100 GPA, 1540 SAT, <$2k, cognitive science or neuroscience]

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Demographics

  • Ethiopian, East African
  • High school: Attending the top boarding school in the country on a full scholarship (school’s average GPA: 93, SAT: 1502)
  • FGLI (First-Generation, Low-Income)
  • EFC: $2,000 or less

Intended Major(s):Cognitive Science/Neuroscience

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted GPA: 95.5/100
  • ACT/SAT: 1540 (800 Math), planning to retake SAT in December and aiming for 1550+

High School Coursework

  • No APs (national curriculum only), but I took the most challenging courses available.

Awards

  • Second-ever ISEF qualifier from my country (1 of 300 students)
  • Captain of my national team, which achieved the first-ever qualification for an international robotics competition
  • Avishkaar Global Robotics League finalist
  • Recognition from an international education board for my nonprofit
  • Conrad Challenge finalist

Extracurriculars

  1. Founder & President of Nonprofit (STEM Education):
    • Started in 9th grade (not for college apps).
    • Taught STEM to 700+ students across 14 chapters in Africa, raised ~$2K in funding, and developed a website featuring educational videos and games.
  2. Intern (1 of 5 selected) at Top-5 BCI Startup:
    • Recently started. So far, I’ve assisted with research for a bionic eye project and hosted webinars.
  3. Founder & President of Robotics Club (HackClub Chapter):
    • Established a robotics club with 65+ members and led 50+ projects since 6th grade.
    • Presented innovations on national TV and competed in several robotics competitions.
  4. Founder & CEO of ADHD Assistive Tech Startup:
    • Created an EEG-based solution to help students with ADHD improve focus and emotional regulation.
    • Supported 10+ students, secured a $1,200 grant, and competed in business pitch contests.
  5. Intern at Smart Cane Project (Accessibility Tech):
    • Contributed 300+ hours to launching a key feature for a smart cane; facilitated meetings with investors and users.
  6. Intern at T10 University (Medical Research):
    • Took 15 undergraduate classes on eye anatomy, 3D-printed 20+ surgical organs for training, and analyzed corneal thickness for LASIK outcomes.
  7. 3 CS Summer programs(semi prestigious)
  8. Debate team
  9. MUN
  10. Volunteer at an elderly center

Common App Essay:
7/10. I’ve worked on it for three months, but since English is my third language, I’m not confident it’s perfect. I’d love feedback if anyone is willing to help.

LORs:

  • Counselor:6/10 (favors wealthier students).
  • English Teacher: 8/10
  • Math Teacher: 9–10/10 (I achieved the highest score in his career and used programming to simplify complex math concepts for his students).

Current College List:
I’m deciding between Harvey Mudd and Rice for ED2. My RD list includes Princeton, MIT, Amherst, Williams, and Case Western Reserve.

I’ve already completed the supplements for these schools but am looking for additional schools to apply to, especially ones where I might have a chance at a full ride. My counselor encouraged me to apply to top schools for their financial aid.

I’d really appreciate any advice on my college list or essay review. Thank you so much for your help—I couldn’t do this without the guidance of others!

2

Consider adding Vassar, which established the world’s first undergraduate cognitive science major and which would complement your current choices.

3

W&L, F&M to name two. Both meet need if you have it.

4

Thank you appreciate it! My major concern on these small LACs is that when it comes to financial aid. They got a history of rejecting the poor ones for ppl with 30k+ EFC. At least thats what happened last year. They rejected a top 2 application for a full pay student and I was expecting the same to happen this year…. But I will definitely look into it.

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Again, there are a lot of kids my class that are full pay n these colleges got a history of accepting them instead of the more qualified students. But I will definitely look into it! Thanks

6

You don’t know who is most qualified - it’s not just stats based - but yes, it’s possible but you cannot say for sure.

7

Note that, among LACs on your list, Amherst pledges not to consider financial need in the evaluation of domestic and international applicants. Moreover, beyond financial considerations, Amherst offers a superb neuroscience program.

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Washington & Lee is need blind and meets need for domestic and international students. While still a reach, it has a higher acceptance rate than the majority of your list.

Follow these instructions for essay feedback.

Best of luck!

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Wesleyan University in Middletown Connecticut has a scholarship program for students from African Countries, which covers all costs. I tried to attach a link above but if it doesn’t work google: Wesleyan University African Scholar Program.

Best of luck to you!

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Beat me to it (and the link is fine, btw.)

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You are an amazing intl candidate. I do not think you should apply ED anywhere, because of fin need.

Add any Ivies you want, and MIT. Make sure you have Harvard on your list. They will be very generous with aid.

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Make sure you show interest in Case Western Reserve University. Open all emails they send, and view webinars etc that are sent to you. This is a college that wants to know that you really want to go there.

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The OP may be encouraged to see that Wesleyan’s inaugural African Scholars class included a student from Ethiopia:

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