<p>And if you apply to American schools at which your scores are far above average, they may still provide you with money to attend. I’m American, so I don’t know for certain, but there’s definitely at least money for American students with high scores… This would be a good “Ask the Dean” question. (Especially just the monetary aspect; while studying in the U.S. for money may be possible, I do not think Harvard is likely.)</p>
<p>Also, I’m sorry, but “I have character problems” is not going to be good enough. They do sometimes excuse people who had life throw them a bad situation, like a Mom with cancer, and so didn’t academically live up to their potential. But the adcoms, in all of those cases, believe in their potential (which you may share), but they also believe, most strongly, in those students’ good character. By your own admission, you do not have that. Sorry, but no. If you do turn it around and get great grades and succeed from here on out, you can explain that you used to be too immature to succeed around your group of friends, and that could possibly be a legitimate extenuating circumstance. But as long as the problem continues, and you continue not to succeed, it’s a poor excuse.</p>