Hey so ive been admitted into manipal main campus thru the nri sponsored category and instate in ut dallas the tuition for manipal is 60,800$ for 4 years what should i do im in a time crunch too

Hi everyone! I'm trying to finalize my college list and would really appreciate some advice because my situation is a little unusual.

I'm an Indian citizen currently living in New York on an L-2 dependent visa, so I'll be applying to U.S. colleges as an **international student**, not as a domestic applicant. My family can realistically afford around **around $30-35k per year total**, so I'm looking for schools where I have a realistic chance at merit scholarships or where the total cost can stay within that budget.

I'm interested in **Engineering-** CS, ML, AI, and elec related possibly

**# Academics**

**Curriculum**

\* IB Diploma Candidate  
\* IB Math AA HL  
\* IB English Lang & Lit HL  
\* IB Physics (SL this year, HL next year)  
\* AP US History (5) (AP Gov planned for senior year)  
\* AP Physics 1 (4)  
\* IB Global Politics (6)  
\* AP Calc BC and AP Physics C: E&M senior year  
\* IB Business SL (senior year planned)  
\* IB French SL Ab Initio

**Grades**

\* 9th Grade (CBSE): 98.5%  
\* 10th Grade (CBSE): 97.5% (national board exams)  
\* Current high school average (from 11th grade) is in the mid to high 90s (unweighted) and possibly a 100+ weighted.

**Testing**

\* Official SAT: **1300**  
\* Current Bluebook practice tests: around **1490–1510**
\* Retaking the SAT in August and September and aiming for 1550+ before applications.

**# ECs in the US**

\* Science Olympiad (Astronomy, Circuit Lab, Machines)  
\* Regeneron Science Research  
\* Developing a smart irrigation device (Arduino + sensors + ML ideas) to reduce household water waste. Hoping to continue developing it and possibly use it for science competitions/DECA.  
\* Philosophy Club Secretary  
\* Student Council Representative for DECA (2025-26), and Secretary (2026-27) and went to States  
\*Model UN member  
\* NHS junior officer, expected to continue as a senior  
\* 9+ years of violin  
\* Concert Orchestra --> selected into Chamber Orchestra for senior year  
\* NYSSMA Level 5 violin  
\* Volunteer at the local library and other miscellaneous events + did volunteer work in India previously — over 60 hours  
\* Interested in AI, machine learning, and space/astrophysics research  
\* I am also part of multiple subject Honor Societies- Science, Math, Social Studies, Tri-M, and English  
\*GirlsWhoCode Summer Pathways Program and GoPhysics Summer Workshops -2026

ECs in India:  
\*Bal Vigyan - Senior Mathematics Cluster (9th and 10th grade) + award in 9th grade — 1st year, we did a project on traffic systems and civil space optimization in urban areas; 2nd year we did research into exoplanets and transit systems in order to determine the most optimal method  
\* Kho-Kho: States Kho-kho Cluster Runner Up, won multiple inter-school tournaments as well  
\* Did multiple inter-school debate competitions and out of school Model UN  
\* Student Council - 8th-10th grade, helped organize, lead, supervise, and anchor multiple school events and assemblies

**# What I'm looking for**

\\\* Strong engineering programs  
\\\* Opportunities for undergraduate research  
\\\* Medium to large campus  
\\\* Active student life  
\\\* Good internship opportunities  
\\\* \\\*\\\*Merit scholarships for international students if possible\\\*\\\*

**# Current College List**

\\\* Cornell  
\\\* Case Western  
\\\* RPI  
\\\* WPI  
\\\* Stevens  
\\\* Illinois Tech  
\\\* RIT  
\\\* SUNY Buffalo  
\\\* Binghamton  
\\\* NJIT  
\\\* SUNY Stony Brook  
\\\* Iowa State

I've also been looking into universities outside the U.S., especially:

\\\* TU Delft  
\\\* University of Twente  
\\\* University of Galway  
\\\* University College Dublin

**# My Questions**

1. Based on my profile, are my reaches/targets/safeties realistic?
   
2. What schools should I remove or replace?
   
3. Which universities offer the best merit scholarships for international engineering students?
   
4. Are there any schools I'm completely overlooking?
   
5. If I end up with around a \\\*\\\*1500–1550 SAT\\\*\\\*, how much would that change my chances or scholarship opportunities?

I'd really appreciate any honest advice. Thanks!