But from CMU - Carnegie Mellon doesn’t offer financial aid to international students. If you’re an international student who plans to enroll at Carnegie Mellon, you and your family must plan to pay the total cost of attendance.
Williams - Although Williams isn’t need-blind for international applicants, approximately 70 percent of international students receive financial aid from the college, with aid awards averaging more than $80,000 annually.
OP said money not an issue. All we know about OP is they think they lack ECs. I don’t think we know about their overall academic profile - which is too early.
OP is ahead of himself as are we - given he’s just finished 9th grade.
OP simply needs to know - to get involved if he thinks he needs to and wants to and yes, consistent involvement will be necessary for a “top” school…and get great grades and have great rigor…and a top test score.
Then come back in two years.