<p>hey guys,</p>
<p>ive heard that if an international student checks the "need-based financial aid" box for ivy leagues + stanford, one's chances of getting in drops by atleast half....</p>
<p>is this true? what is the big advertising of the "we are need-blind to internationals!!"??
very confused...</p>
<p>For some schools and some kids, yes. There are only a handful of schools that are need blind to internationals. Those schools are as advertised. Other than those few schools, there are limited funds for internationals, so only the most highly desired students will get aid. Some schools do not give ANY fin aid to internationals. at all.</p>
<p>All the Ivy league schools are not "need blind" for internationals as they are for US citizens...Only Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth(I'm talking of the Ivy league schools) are "need blind" for internationals.Only these schools review your applications without regard to your ability to pay, and they meet your full demonstrated Financial need.Other Ivy League schools, although are "need based" are not "need blind".So if you get admitted, they meet your demonstrated financial need, but to get admitted your ability to pay plays a crucial role(kind of paradox)..Even schools like Stanford, Caltech etc are not "need blind" for internationals, so your ability to pay is also a factor that affects Admission decisions!!!We poor internationals!!!!</p>
<p>thanks cui bono.
what is need-aware then?</p>
<p>hmm..i have a question to ask..if lets say we can afford it..but we apply for aid anyway....is it possible for the schools to admit us and not give us aid ( even though we applied for it)..its like..if u can give me money then give..if u cant..then its ok..haha</p>
<p>Yes, it is possible that the school will determine that you are not eligible for aid even if you applied for it. You have to submit your tax returns, etc... to back up your aid application.</p>
<p>and it wont affect the application at all?</p>
<p>but if they see that u can pay for it, there is no way in hell that they are gonna gvie u aid rite?</p>
<p>A lot of schools (I would say most) will say that asking for financial aid (if you check that box) will negatively impact your admission. If you can afford it and you want admission, do not ask for aid. Even after you are accepted, the US embassy will not issue you a student visa if you cannot demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover your expenses since as a foreign student you are not allowed to work outside the school.</p>