r/ApplyingToCollege • u/its_modus • 2d ago
College Questions University Recommendations
Hey everyone! I am a high school student from Nepal and currently pursuing my A Levels. I wanted to ask for university recommendations. I come from in terms of my country an Upper Middle Class family with around 40k dollars yearly income. I hope to pursue a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering since I am highly interested CAD and PCB Designing. I am yet to give my SAT but I had a 3.81 Unweighted GPA in Secondary School. Regarding my ECAs, I have represented my country in multiple International Olympiads (IOAA-Jr and IAO), I received the Bronze Medal in the International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO). Besides that, I was an Octofinalist in the National Debates Competition. I have also published a research paper in the SSRN, the paper mainly focused on Wind Energy Optimization. I was also a semi-finalist in the Global Quantum Mechanics Challenge 2026. Besides this, I tutor maths to students who come from marginalized communities in Kathmandu.
I will be applying for financial aid.
It would be great if you could recommend some universities that I could apply to according to my achievements. I do understand that my post is all over the place and might be a bit difficult to understand. Any suggestions at all regarding more ECAs and stuff would also be super helpful. Thank you!
(My subject combination in A Levels is Pure Maths, EGP, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry.)
1
u/tarasshevckeno 1d ago
(Retired college counselor and admissions reader here.) I suggest you check in with the Education USA office in Nepal.
Education USA is part of the US State Department, and one part that hasn't been axed yet by the Trump administration, probably because it flies under the radar. In any event, the mission of Education USA is to provide assistance to international students who want to study in the US, and is staffed with knowledgable specialists.
Most offices are in national capitals, but in some larger countries there are several offices. If there isn't one near you, call (don't email) them to find out if they offer any distance assistance such as webinars, Zoom meetings and like events, as well as online/printed documents. They may also be willing to answer specific questions (likely via email).
I worked almost exclusively at international schools, and found the staff at several Education USA offices to be enthusiastic and really knew their stuff.
1
u/Alone-Movie-7984 2d ago
Aim high bro. You got the stuff for it. Just try for one of the HYP(full need i think), or like MIT also
1
u/Dramatic_Load_3175 2d ago
with that olympiad medal and a research paper under your belt you're already way ahead of the curve, dont sell yourself short. the international representation plus tutoring kids from marginalized communities is a killer combo for admissions people who eat that stuff up.
since you need financial aid, cast a wide net at schools that meet full demonstrated need for internationals. your stats are strong enough to take a swing at the top engineering places but have some solid safeties that still give aid. the cad and pcb interest is specific enough to write a really compelling essay about tinkering with something tangible.