@insanedreamer I’m not really interested in California, and as I mentioned earlier, I’m quite skeptical about Bard. Nevertheless, thank you for your advice.
@momrath I think I’m eligible for the demonstrated need as you called it, since my family’s income in USD is very low… As for the colleges you mentioned, I’ll sure check them out.
To be honest, I don’t mind if the school’s art degree is focused on traditional techniques, since both traditional and technology based programs offer something different, yet useful and interesting.
I was also thinking, can I take classes or minor in creative writing while ‘majoring’ in art (by art I mean drawing, painting etc)? I don’t fully understand how majors and minors work, so if you could please explain that to me, I’d be really grateful.
I also heard that after I finish my studies, I have 1 year to work in my field in USA. Does this apply to the 5 year BFA program?
You’ll likely need to expand your list to include more ‘need aware/meet full need’ college’s such as the ones you listed, and some ‘merit scholarships’ - the Wilson scholars at Appalachian State sounds like one you should look into.
Can you get a used ‘Fisk guide’? It’s help you understznd colleges ’ personality.
Remember that if your family makes less than the American guidelines for reduced lunch (44,000/year for a family of four I think) you’re eligible for commonapp fee waivers.
Sat 's: many internationals actually don’t just present two. In your situation, French, English Literature, and at least one more would make the most sense. Biology and us history would be fine. English Literature and us history are designed for native speakers who’ve gone through American schools so doing well there is especially impressive. (most internationals present only quantitative sat subject scores for that reason.) No one cares about your math 2 score more than any other. If you take the sat reasoning you show English language and quantitative reasoning skills. Sat subjects are meant to showcase what you’re strongest in and help you stand out.
@MYOS1634 But why would I present 3 SAT’s if the school’s site says I should send them 2? I think that’s a bit officious. Also, I wouldn’t like to take English Literature, because I don’t really have access to many English books (I just want to take a single course in writing).
Is the Fiske Guide you are talking about really important? Because I looked it up and there are only new ones I can buy, and they’re quite pricey. I mean, if it’s really worth it than I could buy one.
if taking more than 2 is too expensive, don’t worry about it. But many internationals submit more than the 2 required, as a way to prove what they’re capable of and to stand out compared to other internationals. So if you can, it’s good to have more than 2. (It’s not like for British universities where, if they ask for 3 A-Levels, they really only want 3.) Here, if you can’t have 2 because you’re very low income or live in a rural area, it’s ok because it’s outside your control, but you have to make it up somehow through other parts of your application. If you’re an international who needs financial aid, it’s always best to consider that “recommended” is “required”, and “required” is “minimum expected” uness you have a reason outside your control.
French, Us History, and Biology would be absolutely fine as long as you can reasonably score in the 700s.
Fiske guide presents about 350 colleges, in-depth. It’s not necessary but it helps you undersand “fit” and thus write better essays.
Would an Amazon online store ship to your country? Beside the American one, there are some all over the world.
Yes, it does, but my parents only have debit cards (not credit cards) and last time we tried shipping something it didnt work with their cards , unfortunately…
I also have a question: how do colleges verify international students’ grades? I mean there are lots of diffrent kinds of grading systems and they might not translate directly into the american one or a certain school’s grades might be inflated or undergraded (That might not be the right word but I hope you know what I mean).
For example in my country the scale is 1-6 where 1 means you didnt pass and 6 is more of an ‘S’ (if it would exist) than an A. It’s practically impossible to have a 6.0 gpa, especially when you have 15 classes (courses) like I do. Will colleges know that or will they verify my knowledge through SATs? In that case I would understand why more SAT Subject Tests would be beneficial.
See if the debit card works with the closest amazon online store.
Your guidance counselor (or equivalent) will have to explain what percentage students in your school get a 5.5 and higher, 5-5.49, 4.5-4.99, etc. in your school; and then how that translates for national exams (ie., if a student gets a 4.8 at your school, are they likely to have 4.7-4.9 in national exams? Or is there grade deflation ie., school grades are typically lower than national grades, so if a student has a 4.8 average they’re likely to get 5.2 for their national exam, or, if there’s grade inflation at your school they’re likely to have 4.5 in national exams…)
However they want to see how that compares to the American system, so that the Subject tests, in effect, confirm that when your guidance counselor says “this student is excellent at Biology”, (or “at French”, “at English”…) you can confirm that with a top score on a subject test.
Graduation requirements vary from school to school. In addition to the requirements for the individual majors, there are general curriculum requirements and special requirements like course that are writing intensive or offer multi-cultural perspective.
Some colleges have distribution requirements (like Williams and many others), meaning that you’re required to take 2 to 3 classes from general categories like humanities, math/science, social sciences. Some (like Columbia) have a core curriculum, meaning that everyone takes the same structured set of foundation courses in addition to their major. Some (like Brown) have a totally open curriculum, meaning that as long as you fulfill the requirements of your major you can take whatever you like (again, plus one or two college wide requirements).
At most colleges, if you get a BA in studio art, you’ll have ample opportunity to take courses outside of your major, to add a minor in other discipline or even a second major. Flexibility varies from school to school, but as a general statement, the point of a liberal arts education is exposure to a wide range of thought. A BFA would be more restrictive, but there would still be room for some electives.
Getting a visa to work in America after graduation is a complicated situation, and has the potential of tightening up over the next few years. If working in the U.S. is important to you, you should seek out expert advice.
Thank you all very much. Your help is really great.
tbh I’m starting to lean towards Colgate more and more. I might change my mind though… :)) however if I dont, I might apply early decision which would increase my chances of admission, right (and if yes, do you know by what percentile on average)?
Can I still apply to other schools in case I wont get admitted into the early decision one? And can I apply the second time to the same college if I will get rejected on early decision?
I know that if I’d get admitted I would have to attend the early decision school.
