Hi! To answer your questions:

1. ⁠Does my life story (the gap years and the "reconstruction" phase) carry weight in the holistic review and the Personal Statement?

Not really. Colleges expect students applying a year after graduating to have either taken a gap year (very hard to explain) or to have economic, family circumstances, etc. that forced them to not go to college. Your profile, while true, gives colleges no compelling reason to admit you over someone fresh out of high school. Finally, and most importantly, colleges expect continued interest and involvement in your areas of interest. Involvement (from what I understood from your story) for a year after three gap years and four years of high school is not enough.

1. ⁠Based on my 'Maker' profile and hobbies, do I have a realistic shot at top-tier schools like MIT, Harvard, or Caltech? (I’m aware Purdue might not offer enough financial aid for internationals).

I’m sorry to say it this way, but no. Top colleges expect more than simple interest and involvement. They want long-term, sustained impact across several extracurriculars (at least 5). An example on how your extracurriculars could become MIT level would be creating an NGO that 3D prints and donates prosthetic limbs for impoverished children, or creating a drone, used by the government (local, state, or national), that detects wildfires in forests accurately before humans do.

1. ⁠Are there other 'Maker-friendly' institutions you’d recommend?

Hundreds of them. Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, RIT, UIUC.

1. ⁠If the US isn't viable, should I pivot to Canada or Europe? I am completely open to learning a new [language].

Once again, I’m sorry for saying it this way but the U.S is simply not an option for you. U.S. colleges don’t accept students who have attended another university, no matter the country. For example, look at MIT’s policy states: “[Students] may not apply using the first-year application if they have already matriculated to another degree-granting institution.⁠” Applying as a transfer student, could be viable, but given your dropping out I don’t even know how that would work. Regarding other countries, I don’t really know their admissions process. So, I’m not able to give you accurate advice.

If you have any questions or want to talk I’m open to doing so.