<p>I am in my 12th grade(I am from India --ISC Board ). I have very poor extra-curricular record but a good academic base( Got 94.4% in my 10th grade ) . You all know that to get into a university of USA , one needs a stellar extra-curricular record ! Since, my childhood I have dreamt of studying in a good university of US but all that now seems out of reach ! So, what do you guys suggest ? I still have the option of going to Singapore or Hong Kong( I am targeting NUS NTU HKU HKUST ). I have heard that getting into these universities is really tough but if I target 95%+ then I guess they will take me in . ? What about UK ? Also, I will seek financial assistance from any university that accepts me, that is another reason why US seems difficult !</p>
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<p>Not true. Most US universities don’t care about ECs. Only the more selective ones do, and for many of those high test scores and grades make up for a poor extra curricular background. </p>
<p>Have you taken GCSEs or your A level exams?</p>
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OP is an international student, not a home student. It’s much harder for internationals to get in anywhere, so his/her entire app needs to be up to par, including ECs, especially if OP is looking for financial aid.</p>
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From the looks of it, the OP is taking other qualifications…</p>
<p>stressedoutt -</p>
<p>It is true that most colleges and universities in the US do not care about ECs. Nationwide, most places do admit by the numbers - including international applicants. However, most places do not offer any aid at all to international applicants, so it is quite possible that ECs will come into play in the search for an institution that may offer some aid.</p>
<p>sid007 - </p>
<p>How much can your parents pay? That will determine whether or not you have many options in the US - and possibly in other countries as well. If you have stellar grades and SAT/ACT scores, there are a few places that will guarantee admission and a certain amount of aid. Visit the financial aid forum, and read through the threads stuck at the top. You also would benefit from the information in the international students forum - there is an entire subforum for students from India. To find those forums, go to the main page where all of the forums are listed, and scroll down.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies ! 
I am in an ISC board school of India. My annual family income is <15000$ 
but because of my strong academic background I thought that I might get into a good US university but from the looks of it I think it is just a dream for people like me. Will try obtaining a good result in 12th grade and will try applying to uni’s of Hong Kong and Singapore.</p>
<p>With such a low family income, your only hope is to get into the top schools that give full aid to int’ls. But, you’d need tippy top scores and still very competitive to get accepted.</p>
<p>You can try applying to Berea. If you’re admitted, you have to work 10 hours a week and that helps pay for your books + part of room and board. The school (and its donors) pay for everything else.</p>