<p>I’m from Albania. I think I can achieve a score of 2300 in SAT, also good scores in SAT Subject Tests and I also have good ECs. I also can pay for the first year without financial aid (although I would need it later). Do universities consider diversity or coming from countries which don’t have many applicants, like Albania? I’m interested to know.</p>
<p>Yes, many do. That said, you should know the chances aren’t good for most international students because so few are accepted. Most of the top schools have fewer than 10% students from outside the US. Thousands apply. That makes it hard for ANYONE to get in, especially since you will need extensive financial aid. </p>
<p>But don’t let that discourage you. Apply – just be realistic that getting into a top American school with significant financial aid is a little bit like playing the lottery. However, if you don’t apply, you certainly won’t get in… so when the time comes, take a deep breath, dedicate yourself to creating a great application – and go for it!</p>
<p>Make sure you know the financial aid policies for the schools that you apply. There are some that have NO AID for international students, something that may seem like a detail when you first apply since you will be full pay and there is no need to get into that, but you don’t stand a chance of getting a dime later since the polices are very clear that there are no funds for international students.</p>
<p>Also some schools that do not guarantee to give aid to international students, and that is the case with many schools, if you don’t apply for it the first year, you don’t get it later. That’s to prevent international students from getting in the door and then asking for aid, getting over the roadblock of need. They are wise to this, I want to warn you.</p>