u/DiligentChicken3852

is it possible for me to get into nyu ( applying ED1 ) with no test scores and seeking full financial aid????? Btw i’m enrolled in a french school system which is well known for being extremely difficult and rigorous, and i have really good grades, extracurriculars, and an excellent essay !!! also the recommendation letters are amazing. do you think i have any chances ??? ( International relations major )

Hi everyone! I’m an international student from Morocco attending a very rigorous private French international school. I’m trying to build a realistic college list for the U.S. and would really appreciate honest feedback about what schools might fit my profile :)
**Academics**
French Baccalauréat system

\~16/20 average (roughly equivalent to a 3.9–4.0 UW GPA because of how rigorous and academically demanding the French system is)

No APs/Honors offered at my school

No class rank

I take 3 specialities :

Mathematics

Economic & Social Sciences

History, Geopolitics & Political Science

Fluent in 4 languages

Applying test-optional (is this a bad idea for schools like NYU?)

**Financial situation**
Low-income international student

Will need significant financial aid

**Extracurriculars**
**Eco Delegate**
Organized an ecological field trip in Agadir (waste management center visit, city clean-up, eco-themed event)

Presented a project at COP OSUI 2024 about the “city of the future” in a Moroccan context

Participated in a video conference with architect/writer Olivier Dain Belmont who supported our project

Organized an ecological fair at school

**Model United Nations (5 years)**
Member since 8th grade

Participated in 2 national MUNs:

Honorable Mention (\~350 delegates)

Best Delegate Award — UNICEF committee(\~400 delegates)

Participated in 3 international MUNs:

LFIAMUN — Best Delegate, UN Women committee (\~450 delegates)

AMMUN — Honorable Mention, ECOSOC committee (highly international conference with schools from Russia, Canada, France, etc.)

Will serve as Chair/President of the Security Council committee at LFIAMUN 2027

Also part of the organizing committee for these conferences

**Debate / Public Speaking**
Harvard Policy Debate Summer Workshop 2025

Harvard Policy Debate semifinalist

Debate lessons with a UC Berkeley student

3 years in debate/public speaking club

**Journalism / Research**
Vice President of the Journalism Club

Conducted research on media rhetoric and the influence of media discourse on public opinion

Worked on articles/projects analyzing how media framing and language can shape political and social narratives

Conducted field research on gender equality in Morocco:

Street interviews in Rabat

Survey conducted on a sample of 200 people

Helped orient 10th graders and encourage them to choose the History/Geopolitics/Political Science specialization

**Community Service / Leadership**
Interact Rotary International member & organizer

Raised $2,500 for Ramadan food baskets

Organized clothing collection for flood victims in Ksar El Kebir

Organized a padel tournament funding a medical caravan serving underprivileged regions of Morocco ($4,000 raised)

Personally contacted volunteer doctors for the caravan

**Student Government / School Leadership**
Member of MDL (student leadership body)

Helped raise $3,500 for a charity prom/ball

Helped create a student support/permanence space at school

Organized and photographed “Printemps des Poètes” with well-known Moroccan poets and painters

**Other**
Member of a mock trial/court simulation club

Treasurer of a student life/events club organizing activities like Secret Santa and school events

I also genuinely think my personal statement is one of the strongest parts of my application.

Is going test-optional a mistake in my situation??

Thank you so much honestly 😭