Yes i do. The reason why i only have reaches is because i either go to one of the top schools in the US or not go at all. There are no safeties for international students in the us:
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This is very true.
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If you get a high SAT score there can be, in that some colleges have guaranteed honors acceptance for students wirh specific scores.
European students always apply with predicted scores.
Email US colleges to see whether those will be sufficient.
Some may want a SL score of 6 or 7 from junior year as validation though.
Expand your definition of what a top college is - Ivy League and ‘university with a state in its name’ wouldn’t begin to cover the depth of high quality offerings. There are 3,700 universities in the US. Top 5% would all be top-notch and that’s over 150 universities. NESCAC or the Claremonts are highly selective with a powerful alumni network but not well-known outside the US. Some states have several flagship-level universities. In short, figure out what you want. Many students apply to US universities to have access to research, community, specific environments or supports, an experience they wouldn’t find at home. There can be various reasons, all valid, but a list entirely made of sub 20% acceptance rate colleges wouldn’t be a well-researched list. You’re just at the beginning of your search so it’s normal you’d think of the names everyone has heard of, but your final application list -where all safeties would be in Europe- will hopefully reflect what you want from your education.
You should get The Princeton review’s Best Colleges 2024 and/or Fiske Guide. In the meantime, use this forum to ask questions and see how different topnotch universities differ.
Note: 8.5 is a high GPA in most central European countries (a pass would be a 4 or a 5 depending on the country) and 42 is extremely high for the IB - Oxford typically requires 38 or 39 for instance. This student is probably among the top students in his/her country.
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Yes….but affording can sometimes make this a challenge. Although that might not be an issue for this poster.
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Thank you for the advice, will do! I am not sure what you mean by saying ‘6 or 7 from junior year as validation’. The way that my school works is they just give out predicted grades and thats it. We have no scores because we will take the exams next year. We do have tests and mocks that are graded on a scale 1-7, which contribute to the predicted grade. If you mostly get 5 and 6, your predicted on that subject will most likely be a 5. As far as I know, most schools do this, they so not have scores apart from predicted grades.
I know 
- but some of the colleges you may want to apply to seem to be expecting one score (and if you choose to stick to the IBD they seem to want an actual IB score, which would mean taking it in 11th grade and likely from a SL subject.) I agree it’s confusing and thus requires writing to these colleges, explaining the SAT isn’t offered in your country and your school doesn’t have an option for 11th grade IB exams.
There’s a thread on this forum about the new policy.
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Try Rhodes College. Many international there who need some but not huge amount of FA. In addition, Rhodes is a bit cheaper than many privates.
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You also mentioned that if 80k then you need 20% FA. That means your family can afford 64k. If this is true, almost all public (except UCs and UMich) will be affordable for you without FA. Note, public schools do not give FA to international students.
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Another note. If your Eastern European Country is part of EU, I would not pay 250k for education in the US… Just go to good college in EU.
Yes it is in the EU. But it has been my dream to study in the US. The problem is, my situation is quite unique, do thats why i am asking you guys. If i have a chance of getting into one of these uni’s i will take it.
Oh okay, that makes sense. But, in your opinion, with the stats that I have now, should I take the chance and apply to these top universities? Or is it not really worth it?
You need to email EACH university you’re considering, stating clearly and plainly that the SAT is not offered in your country and you’re not permitted to take IB exams until the end of 12th grade. You do have a predicted score (42) and wonder what test you can submit. (<- indirect speech on my part 
)
If you took official Lower Secondary exams at the end of Year 9 or Year 10, you could ask if the results could be used as the required tests.
It’s pointless to apply if they tell you “don’t bother”.
Yes you can apply to, say, 10 sub 20% universities if you can afford to or qualify for a fee waiver.
But you MUST include other universities, if only to hold on - you can apply to a few flagships and their Honors Colleges like SUNY Bing, Pitt or Penn State, UMiami Ohio, UMN, UAz… lots of possibilities. Or you can mix that up with LACs that are need aware/meet need like St Olaf, Denison, Dickinson, Kalamazoo, TrinityCT, Franklin&Marshall, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Scripps (if you’re a girl). They’re all quite different so you’d need to read up on these and you certainly wouldn’t lack academic challenge there. Once you’ve figured which 3-5 are the best fit, sign up for their mailing list since interest factors in.
Do reach out to the tennis coach. I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to play D3 (or perhaps even Patriot league).
That is only valid if the SAT is not available in the country. Colleges know where the SAT isn’t available.
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Some schools to research outside the tippy top…these all offer merit scholarships to internationals, but not all offer need-based aid to internationals so you will need to research that. I’m including merit schools since I do not know if your family will qualify for need-based aid. These are a mix of universities and LACS and in different geographic areas just to give you an idea of the variety of high quality schools available.
Univ of Rochester (NY) - private research uni, especially strong in STEM; approx 25% of the student body is international
Rice Univ (TX) - private R1 university known for its academic strength and residential colleges, which may make it easier socially
Boston University (MA) - private R1 uni, approx 25% international student
Univ of Pittsburgh - a state-related uni (hybrid of public and private) that may reach your budget with a combination of lower cost plus merit, excellent for STEM
Miami University (OH) - “smaller” public in Ohio, beautiful campus, known for merit
Univ of Miami (FL) - private research uni in FL
Washington & Lee (VA) - this is a rural university, well respected academically, provides generous aid to internationals (merit and need based)
Stopping here as I just noticed MYOS posted a list of schools for you to consider, many of which I was going to mention. (I’ve been working on this message on and off today.)
Things to consider in your research:
- Majors available and curriculum
- Size and location (urban, suburban, rural)
- Ease of travel from your home
- Housing options - is campus housing guaranteed for 4 years? If not, what is the cost of off-campus housing?
- Is it a high cost of living area?
- On campus support for international students
- Campus clubs for international students
- summer options/resources should you not be able to return home (e.g. Ukrainian and Gaza students at my kid’s uni have school-supported options)
I’m sure there are many more that others will add-on.
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Dream, not dream… 250k is a lot of money even in the US! If you can get a great education for half or less, why waste so much money? You will not get visa to stay after BS or be accepted to medical school here…
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OP said the SAT isn’t offered in their country. 
She said they weren’t offered where she lives, meaning the municipality. They’re definitely available in her country.
She can look here if she needs to find one.
What is “unique” about your situation. So far, I don’t see a thing that I would call unique.
Ok.
Obviously @Bug78 if the SAT is offered in your country you can’t say it isn’t. 
(I thought you meant it wasn’t). Sorry for the mistake.
As an international student, it will be extremely difficult for you to (eventually) get accepted to medical school here.
Residency here with a medical degree from abroad is a maybe. About 60% of IMGs matched this year.
Per the NRMP results—Non-U.S. citizen IMGs realized a 58.5 percent match rate, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points since last year. 5864 Non-US IMG matched in 2024
If there is additional info perhaps @WayOutWestMom can give it.