Am I a good fit for Grinnell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Grinnell College
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<p>Okay I guess I am back. </p>

<p>Grinnell’s financial aid for internationals is great, but need-aware. They might put you on the waitlist or not accept you at all if you need a lot of financial aid and they already have used up their money. That being said, this is still better than the old system, under which Grinnell had need-blind admissions for internationals, but committed to meeting a maximum of half the cost of attendance (or perhaps half of demonstrated need, not sure). However I should also mention that one thing that is considered is rather than getting rid of need-blind admissions altogether is to admit more internationals, as there is usually enough international applicants that can pay in full. As an international student who is on a significant amount of financial aid this implies to me that international perspectives are valued only as long as they can pay for their own. I am aware that Grinnell’s responsibility is to primary educate domestic students and I support that, however assuming that internationals can pay in full is problematic on more than one level. </p>

<p>Unfortunately I don’t have any numbers and I don’t think those numbers will be available any time soon. I just think that of all the changes and statements made by Raynard Kington the statements concerning financial aid are perhaps the most worrisome. </p>

<p>Grinnell is still need-blind but from what I understand Grinnell has started to hold its recruiting events in wealthier areas. I am unsure whether this is a new development however. </p>

<p>Grinnell has a problem with alumni-giving to its endowment so the financial concerns are definitely legitimate, however I also think that the college is missing an even more important part: If Grinnell changes it financial-aid policy to need-aware even more alumni will be unwilling to donate. I know I will. Also like I said, the fact that there is money for sending the HWCs to Denmark but not for financial aid seems like hypocrisy to me.</p>

22

<p>Grinnell came to my school for the first time in a few years this fall. Although my school is a competitive large public in a fairly nice area, it is not as nice as other schools she mentioned attending. She added ours on to the list that has already had schools that cost 24k a year to end. Yes, that much for high school. She also said they didn’t have an issue recruiting from my area, although it’s in the Pacific NW. This leads me to the conclusion that Grinnell is recruiting more in all areas to raise the number of applications to reduce acceptance rate. Either that or they just want to be better known. One of the biggest draws for me is the need blind policy at Grinnell. I really hope they continue this policy, especially if I am accepted and attend.</p>

<p>I think I disagree with you on the international student issue. Grinnell is a school in the United States and I respect them for giving domestic students better financial aid than internationals. I don’t think admissions would increase the number of international students just for full pay. I am sure there are more reasons.</p>