<p>Thank you both for such helpful information. I am getting a better picture as you help me understand how everything works.</p>
<p>I am curious about another thing though:</p>
<p>My school’s College Counselor is an American that has worked as Counselor abroad in different areas of the world. He told me that during the application process usually you are initially compared among other contenders in your area: there is a separate “file” for domestic students, Asian students, African students & Latin American Students. Once the top candidates in each pile are chosen, then you are compared among the highest contenders. Does that seem right or not?</p>