Yes, Alabama scholarships are open to all. Itâs not a waste of tax money if it stabilizes top internationals in the state, especially in needed fields - top internationals have better persistence in stem fields, for a variety of cultural and academic reasons- and the program helps its reputation abroad (which isnât good, understatement, so anything to improve its image is a relatively small investment compared to the campaign it would take.) In addition, few internationals actually take advantage from it: few reach the score threshold since the way standardized tests work is antithetical to the way testing goes in Europe (just like many Americans who havenât been trained for âexplication de texteâ or A-Level âmarksâ wouldnât do well, but if raised in the proper educational system, do just as well as others.) And among theinternational students most likely to reach that level, in part because theyâre trained in standardized test taking and in part because of other pressures, families in China, India, or South Korea wouldnât send their kids to a university in Alabama.
UAlabama and the people funding these scholarships know that the stateâs future - both its economy and its development, both linked to its image outside the State- depend on attracting top students. Within the Honors College, there are even more selective honors within honors, also open to all. The university has spent a lot of money making everything right for them. They get a really good education, with excellent learning conditions, and the stem programs are nurtured. Taxpayers may complain because financial aid for instate students is bad and general public funding is low, but the universities in the UA system target specific students, and consider that lower-income kids who donât meet the target scores can go elsewhere in the state. Note that the scholarships arenât funded by the state, but by the university itself, in part from the football revenue.
OP: where are you from? (Country). Because your scores and achievements will also be looked at in the context of your geographical area. Letâs say that being from Dharavi isnât the same as attending Podar International, or if youâre from Montenegro or Shanghai.
Have you run the NPC on any website? Itâll give you an estimate of the minimum youâre expected to pay.
Suggestions:
Union, Clarkson, Temple, UMN Twin Cities, South Dakota Mines, Missouri University of Science and Technology, UTDallas, Texas State, WPI - youâd likely get scholarships at most, not sure whether theyâd be sufficient though.
If youâre a girl, perhaps Smith and Agnes Scott (for the 3+2 with GaTech, which is well-run).
Apply to Tufts as a reach, you never know.
NYU wouldnât be affordable so donât.
I mean it. The more you highlight how difficult it will be for me to get in, the BETTER.