<p>First, I have to say I'm pretty amazed by how approachable you are making this forum. How willing you are to take the time to advice other "kids" aside from worring about your own, and I'm sure you can be very knowledgable and experienced, as opposed to other prosperctive students like myself.
Second, I apologize in advance for any spelling or grammatic mistake I might have, and wish to be taken very seriously.</p>
<p>I am 19, graduated in 04'. I'm an international, applying as a freshman for 06'. I originally planned to apply for spring admissions, because I have already had my 1 yaer and a half gap time and don't want to waste anymore time.
I had everything ready to apply to schools for spring, except for my SAT's scores which hopefully I will be getting tomorrow.
Sadly, most of the competitive schools don't admit freshmen in spring, only fall. I have made a huge effort and had sacrificed a lot in order to be able to do this, to start this spring (had to cut short my millatery service periot, and committed to continue after graduation, so I can start school in the spring). It took a lot of time and effort and I'd really hate to wait another year!
My desired school is USC, and I will be willing to wait as long as it takes to attend there if I'm admitted. But if I really wait and go nowhere else in the meanwhile, I might be doing it for nothing, since realisticaly my shots there are pretty slim. I need A LOT of finaid which they don't offer to internationals, and the competition fot merit-based scholarships is pretty harsh. In conclusion, it's not a safe bett for me at all.</p>
<p>So I was thinking to aim lower, and try my luck in other schools that offer aid to internationals and admit on spring, and then try and transfer. So far I've come up with the following schools, which I can still apply to as soon as I get my SAT's scores (I have all the other stuff pretty much ready and I still have till Nov 1st-15th to send it all out)-
Chapman University
University of the Pacific
Redlands
Northeastern
Whitman
Weaton
U Delaware
Claremont Mckenna
Goucher</p>
<p>I wish to major in screenwriting and minor in theatre.
All the schools above are not as hard as USC (not even close1), and are more generous with aid. Should I hurry and apply to one of these or wait another semester (which is almost a year from now) and apply to the most prestigious film school with almost no chances of admittace, and even lower chances of recieving aid?</p>
<p>I am not a U.S. citizen, do not have a green card, and other than work-study opportunities and scholarships, I have no other ways to pay for school.</p>
<p>I will be coming to the US next month, to visit USC in and the rest of the schools above before applying. And then will fly to Boston and NY, where I have relatives, to see some other schools.</p>
<p>Any suggestions on what other schools I can consider and visit in LA, NY or boston area? Anything really worth looking into in NJ or PA will also do.
And of course, any words of advice, chances, schools... whatever you can throw, I'll be happy to hear :)
My main concern is cost, my family is very low income ($15,000 combined annual income), we don't own a car nor a house, and I'm sure I'd be qualified for any type of aid if I were American... but oh well, I'm not :) So if there are good schools who finencially help int'ls, just let me know :)</p>