Match an international high school student [4.0 GPA, 1520 SAT, <$17k, psychology or history or similar]

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Demographics

  • International student
  • Egypt
  • American Diploma
  • Other special factors: None

Cost Constraints / Budget
≈17k

Intended Major(s)

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 4.0
  • Class Rank: No ranking available
  • ACT/SAT Scores: 1520

List your HS coursework

(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)

  • English: AP lang and AP lit
  • Math: AP Calc AB
  • Science: AP bio and AP chem
  • History and social studies: No APs taken (none available in my school)
  • Language other than English: French, Arabic, no AP taken (none available in my school)
  • Other subjects: Art and P.E.

Awards

Extracurriculars
Started a student-led initiative, blending historical facts with themes of identity, pride, and core school qualities (leadership, respect, creativity, responsibility). I was the leader of the team, expanding it to include students from every highschool class and evolving the initiative according to student opinions and surveys, and marking the revival of student-led projects across the school (3 years)

Multiple-outlet social media project, sharing geopolitics, history, and how it shapes our lives today, as well as diving into human behaviour, generational cycles, and using critical thinking to judge propaganda (4 years)

Writing and self-publishing 3 novels, discussing themes of found family, self-worth, and the politics of tyranny

Peer tutoring 9 students in English, Social Studies (in Arabic and English), and Global Studies (4 years, 40 hours)

Volunteering at the Red Crescent (30 hours)

Starring in the school’s annual play

2

Intended major?

3

The problem is money. 17K/yr is not enough. While you have a very nice record of achievements, I suspect that it’s not enough to differentiate you from the top students in Egypt who will be applying to US schools that can meet full need for int’l students. You need to have a frank discussion with your family about what they can/cannot contribute towards college, and whether those resources can be proven when you go for your interview for your student visa.

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4

I agree your budget is very low for an International applying in the US. Realistically, I think you need to have a very good plan for what you would do if no US college gives you such an offer.

But perhaps you can explain more about why you specifically want to do an undergrad program in the US. What are you looking for academically and non-academically that you could not get somewhere undergrad degrees are much less expensive?

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5

There are schools that meet need and are need blind. But they will have under a 5% admit rate. But you can apply. Some, maybe all are, below:

There are others that meet need but are need aware and have limited funds for international.

Then there are others like Minot State, Southern Miss, Texas A&M International and more - but very regional / local schools that may get you close.

Mainly you need apply to meets need schools, hope they agree with your need # (they could say you need to spend more) and cross your fingers that you are one of few to get in.

A school like F&M says this. Many others that meet need but are need aware will say similarly.

“This means that if you are admitted to F&M, we will meet your institutionally determined financial need for all four years on campus. Please keep in mind that while the amount of aid is generous, it is also limited, so we encourage you to apply early.”

6

I still haven’t decided yet, but probably a dual major in phycology and history (or related majors)

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7

Agree that your hurdle will be how much you can pay and $17,000 per year may just cover dorm fees.

There may be some European universities that may fit your budget, but I’m unfamiliar with those.

Why are you searching to go to an expensive American university?
What is your major?

8

OK, so you’re looking at psychology or history for possible majors. My question to you would be, what do you hope to accomplish, career wise, with those majors?
When you return to Egypt, in four years, what will you do with those majors?

When you apply to a school in the US, as a non-citizen, and if accepted/funded, you will be on a student visa, and you are expected to return to your country after graduation.

Some of these universities are $100,000 USD per year.
The competitiveness for gaining acceptance with funding has become insane. The schools no longer have the funds to accept everyone who wants admission, including domestic students.
You would have to be the top student in all of Egypt to even be considered for a spot.

I’m not trying to be harsh, but I am trying to inform you that it’s not easy, it’s not cheap, and it can be very frustrating especially if you don’t have the funds to pay for a university education in the US.

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9

If you want to attend a university in the U.S., you’ll need to caste a wide net of at least 20 colleges/universities as an international applicant. You have a 4.0 GPA & a competitive SAT score of 1520 (760RW/760M). You should definitely apply to at least a couple of the need-blind options, suggested by tsbna44. But you do need to be realistic. These <5% admit rate schools are actually just 1-2% admit rate schools for international. You need to apply to less or moderately selective schools that place you in the top 25%, very competitive for merit aid that is available for international students.

Syracuse University, for example, offers merit aid to international students. SU is a good choice to pursue a major in psychology & history through Arts & Sciences and/or the Maxwell School. SU now offers Early Action which is open to international applicants. The admit rate tends to fluctuate between ≈40-60%, depending on the cycle.

If the school that is need-aware doesn’t offer any merit aid for international students, don’t waste any time or money on the application.

10

Need blind schools that also meet need for internationals are insanely competitive. Sure, apply to a couple, but also look for schools that meet need even if they are need aware. Your chances of being admitted might be lower but at least you know you can go if you get in. An admit from a need blind school without funding is worthless, so definitely don’t bother applying to need blind schools that won’t meet need for internationals (like Georgetown). You’d need to double check these and whether they meet full need but this is a starting point - some are very competitive but others less so (Wooster, Brandeis,Oberlin etc) United States Colleges & Universities that Give Financial Aid to International Students | Yale Young African Scholars

11

Academically, you would be well suited to, as one example, Bates.

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