Match a random white girl for pre med? Do I have a chance at T50s? [international, lives in OH, 3.93 GPA, 1530 SAT, <$20k parent contribution]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Background Info
Race: White
Gender: Female
Income: 140k/year
Probably will end up applying as international. I’m from Eastern Europe, moved to the US with my family at 13 on a non-immigrant visa. We have been trying for a Green Card for a year now, but no luck so far. I live in the suburbs of Cincinnati, OH.

Stats
UW GPA: 3.93
W GPA: 4.34
SAT: 1530 (First try, but with LOTS of studying. Should I retake?)
School doesn’t rank, but it’s not very competitive.

AP Classes
10th: World History (4)
11th: Physics 1 (4), Chemistry (5), US Government (4), Psychology (5) (THESE SCORES ARE PREDICTED!!)
12th: Biology, Physics 2, Calculus BC, Environmental Science

Intended Major
I’m not sure, tbh. I know that I wanna do pre-med, but as for the major, I’m not sure. Maybe chemistry? Any recommendations?

Awards
None (this is the part that worries me the most…)

Extracurriculars

  1. Babysitting (9th-10th grade)
  2. Math Club, no leadership role (11th-12th grade)
  3. STEM for Youth Club, basically we go to elementary schools and do experiments with the kids like slime, volcano, etc., no leadership role (11th-12th grade)
  4. Research project about the impact of mental illness on physical health, currently working on publishing (summer before 11th-now)
  5. 100h volunteering at a hospital (summer before 11th-now)
  6. YouTube channel with over 10k subscribers (probably closer to 15k by the time I’ll be applying) where I explain simply different medical conditions so that a person with no medical knowledge could understand it, which requires a lot of research since I don’t know all that myself (summer before 11th-now)
  7. Piano (10th-now), not sure if I should even include that
  8. Not sure whether I should include this either, but since I moved to the US, I’m still doing online school where I’m from in case we’d go back there.

Additional Questions

  1. Since I’m not a US citizen, is there any way for me to get merit scholarships? I have no idea how.
  2. Do I have a chance at T50s? I know that my extracurriculars (and awards(…)) aren’t the strongest, so should I even bother applying?
  3. What majors should I consider? I want something that I’ll be able to get a good job with in case med school doesn’t work out.
  4. Any school recommendations? Please recommend schools that would accept an international student like me and give merit scholarships. My parents agreed to pay up to 20k/year and the rest is on me. I need reaches, matches and safeties. Safeties preferably close to where I live (Cincinnati, OH).
  5. Anything else?
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I’m not going to chance you and what’s a top 50 - by chemistry, by national, by LAC?

And what’s the difference for a pre med between #40 Rutgers #47 Texas A&M, and #47 UGA vs. #76 Delaware, #98 Oregon, #115 Arizona, or #159 Kentucky.

The answer - not really much - if you live in Georgia, you’re more likely to go to UGA.

If you live in Oregon, you’re more likely to choose Oregon (than UGA).

Rutgers is loaded with NJ kids.

What I will say is - forget the top 50.

You just said your parents are giving you $20K a year. So that is your budget.

Where can you go for $20K - three I can think of.

As an International and I’m not saying it’s the only, but the only I can think of is Alabama - where the automerit is the same for international as domestic.

They also have the McCullough Medical Scholars which might interest you.

And no, don’t retake your test.

Now, you can apply for things like the Johnson Scholarship at W&L.

But that’s your biggest issue is your budget is $20K - so for four year schools you have an issue - how will you afford. Can you stay local and live home?

You might check Western Carolina - full price for domestic is $20K but not sure about international.

Your choice isn’t about can I get into a top 50. Getting in but can’t afford is a rejection.

You can look at schools like Princeton, etc. - which “might” give you need aid to get to $20K - but I’m guessing not - and they are unlikely.

As for no awards - don’t sweat it - you don’t get awards for being best babysitter or volunteering at the hospital.

That you did those is what matters - and show that you made an impact.

They don’t give awards and they are no needed.

As for major, what interests you? Sciences aren’t necessarily the best but if they interest you.

Math is good, engineering is good - but if they’re not for you, it doesn’t matter.

You do you.

Good luck.

McCollough Scholars – Pre-Medical Studies at the University of Alabama (ua.edu)

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This will be your biggest issue. As an international student, you will not be able to get any loans here in the U.S. You can’t get federally funded loans, and you can’t likely borrow from any lender here without a U.S. citizen cosigner. So saying “the rest is in me” leaves you with no way I can see to cover the additional costs…unless you get a great merit award.

Apply for this…and see. An auto merit award like this could work. And apply as soon as the application comes out…which is soon. You will have an answer within a few weeks including your merit aid award.

@tsbna44 are you sure the McCullough Medical Scholars program accepts international students?

But here is an important question…you want to be a doctor, but to do so, you will need to attend medical school. The number of accepted international medical school students here is VERY low. Where do you plan to practice medicine…should you even get that far?

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Honestly, your biggest issue is your immigration status. You can get an undergrad degree at Alabama for what your parents can pay, but if you cannot get a green card, you are very unlikely to get into med school.

Here is an alternative. Get a bsn nursing degree, as cheaply as possible. You can then easily get a work visa, and eventually a green card. Then you can apply to, and go to med school (but you will have to take the prereqs and of course mcat). This may not appeal to you, but nurses are in tremendous demand, so it is easy to get sponsored by an employer.

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And paying for medical school will be a huge obstacle especially if you continue not to be eligible for loans here.

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Here is the information for Ohio residents qualifying for in state tuition based on immigration status. Immigration Status and Ohio Residency for Tuition - The Ohio State University When I called buckeye link the person told me that even if a student qualifies for the in state rate they are ineligible for their merit aid. If you do qualify for instate tuition you still need to add room and board costs which will be more than your $20,000 budget. You can probably still get an Ohio State degree for $20,000 though, if you are willing to attend a regional campus. If you do qualify for in state tuition and are willing to attend a regional campus then this might be your safety.

Miami University in Oxford, Ohio offers merit aid to international students and is close to Cincinnati. It’s a lovely campus, an admission safety but affordability reach since you need excellent merit to bring it in budget - but they do offer big merit and you would be considered for those. https://miamioh.edu

Case Western University offers need based aid and merit aid to international students. Excellent school, but to get it in budget is going to be extremely hard. Demonstrated interest is very important to them. Btw they have a medical school that admits international students, too. FAQs | MD University Program | Case Western Reserve University

Consider applying to everything you can commute to such as University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, Wright State, Xavier University, etc. since commuting will stretch your budget further.

https://udayton.edu/affordability/international/undergraduate/index.php

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You need to apply to schools that are affordable and/or will fund you. Start looking outside of those top 50. You won’t be able to borrow money to fund your education, from the government.

Think of alternatives that will help you to get a degree. Medical school may not be in the cards financially nor medically. Do you know many great students with great resumes and great MCAT scores.

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I don’t see anything talking about international but OP can contact them and ask.

Questions about the McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars can be directed to seaverette@ua.edu

Office phone: 205-348-2362

That said, even without it, and there might be others, but I know other low cost schools (MS State, Mizzou, etc.) don’t have the same merit for international.

So Alabama could work either way.

Some meets need privates might make budget but with $140K in income, $20K might be tough.

W Carolina is $20K domestic; not sure if international is the same price but OP can research and see.

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Is your visa type among those eligible for Ohio residency for tuition purposes, as listed at Immigration Status and Ohio Residency for Tuition - The Ohio State University ?

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No need to retake a 1530!

You need to ascertain whether you’re eligible for instate tuition (sounds like it) and where merit scholarships would be open to you as a legal, non immigrant resident of Ohio who will graduate from an OH public school (Miami-OH and UCincinnati AFAIK, you need to check out other public universities one by one).
You already got excellent suggestions for OOs.

What about Kenyon? They meet need and have merit, though they’re need aware for internationals.
Scholarships & Grants | Kenyon College

To show “interest” (it counts at private universities), create a college-dedicated email address and join the mailing list. When colleges send emails, open them and click on links of interest (it’s tracked). Go visit, registering ahead of time so Admissions has your name.

Just in case, run the Net price calculator on Pomona, Bowdoin, and Amherst. If they’re within budget, these will consider you no differently than US applicants. They are big reaches though and the fact you want to be premed (like at least a third of their applicants) makes it harder for you to stand out. Check out whether they offer Eastern European studies, European studies, or a minir in your native language.
DO include that you’ve kept up with homeworj from your country and provide grades or narional exam scores if they’re available and good (+ it shows fluency in another language). Applying for Eastern European studies in addition to Chemistry would likely help you. Same thing at case western, which also offers “whole college” opportunities (Ie.,you’re not restricted in terms of majore, switching, etc.)
Show the result of the NPC to your parents.
It’s posible they might not understand how high US college costs have gotten and think 20k will cover instate publoc college -it doesnt. It’s likely you’ll need you’ll need merit aid if 20k is all they can afford or are willing to give you once they’ve seen actual costs.

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You might look at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, here: International Admissions - Home | SIUE. Here is a link to scholarship information for international students: Financial Aid - Scholarships, Awards and Grants | SIUE. I don’t know whether any scholarship aid would get you into an affordable range, but it could be something to look into.

Southern Illinois University in Carbondale has an alternate tuition rate for high-achieving international students, here, https://cie.siu.edu/international-students/prospective-students/undergraduate/cost.php, and here, https://cie.siu.edu/international-students/prospective-students/undergraduate/scholarships.php, which would allow you to pay the in-state tuition rate. This would bring your total cost down to approximately $30K; there may be student employment opportunities and/or departmental stipends that could help reduce your costs even further, but again this could be something to look into. It might also give you an opportunity to have further discussions with your parents about how much they would be willing to contribute for your undergraduate education.

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Honestly, unless your immigration status changes in the next 4 years, I’d rule out med school. Very few internationals are accepted into US med schools and those that are need to be able to pay their full cost of attendance. (Which is already $100K/year in many places.) There are no scholarships for international students to attend med school in the US.

Choose a field that you like and are good at. I’d avoid biology as major since post-graduation employment prospects are poor. Unless you want to teach high school biology and chemistry.

Biomedical engineering is often suggested as an alternative with better employment prospects but many of those jobs require a master’s degree. Chemical engineering?

Data science, Computer science, Biostatistics are all better options with better job prospects.

Public health jobs typically require a MPH.

You should choose a more vocationally oriented undergrad degree that keeps you I healthcare fields–nursing is one obvious one, but there are others as well

Searchable database of healthcare careers here:

If you’re considering SIU, one of their more exotic majors is mortuary science.
Friend of SIl makes excellent money as funeral director. (And he doesn’t even own the company! He was offered 5% partial ownership of $15M/year family-owned business if he wouldn’t leave to take a job with another company.)

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If you are thinking about a major in case med school does not work out, be sure to research the careers first. Some of the careers that are mentioned require a graduate degree, are very competitive, and do not accept international students.

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And keep in mind that getting an employer to sponsor a work visa is hard - especially for careers outside of CS and engineering.

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Thank you. Also, I forgot to add one thing in my original post. My parents are willing to pay up to 20k per year, BUT they’re willing to give me more that I’ll have to pay back when I’m out of school. They didn’t specify up to how much, but when I asked my mom today she said that they’re absolutely not paying anything above 50k/year, sooo

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As I said in another comment, my parents are willing to pay up to 20k, but I can borrow more from them. As for the important question you asked, I’m hoping we’ll get our green card by the time I’d apply for med school. Our immigration lawyer says that he’s 90% sure that we’ll get it by this time next year. Do you think I should take a gap year and apply when we get it?

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I don’t necessarily need to go to T50. Just would be nice, considering all the work that I put in everything. As for med school, our lawyer says he’s 90% sure we’ll get our green card by next year, so I’ll likely have it by the time I apply for med school.

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Our lawyer says that it’s VERY likely we’ll have a green card by this time next year, so I’ll likely have it by the time I apply for med school. Do you think I should take a gap year and go to college after we get it? Also, I forgot to add that my parents are willing to lend me more than 20k/year, but I’ll just have to pay that back.

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But assuming that we do get a green card by the time I’ll be applying for med school?

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Thank you so much. As for the 20k budget, I forgot to add that my parents are willing to lend me more than that, but I’ll just have to pay them back. I do know that they have over 800k in savings. They don’t know much about the US education system, and tbh I don’t either.