Do I have hope as an international student with financial need?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I've been residing in the state of Arizona since the age of 3 but I haven't received my citizenship yet (and probably won't until long after I graduate), which means I am looking at paying tuition as an international citizen. This is not really feasible since my family is not rich by any means (they are reluctant to disclose information but I'm guessing our household income is in the $40,000~$65,000 range - we are a family of 5 and I have two younger brothers so paying full tuition is not an option). The visa that I'm on right now would let me attend Arizona State University at in-state tuition, which is very nice (though I'm not sure if they'll give me any financial aid), and I've sent in an app to the honors college as well.</p>

<p>I'd like to leave the state if it's possible at all though, so I've been looking into schools that meet full need for internationals but they are... pretty competitive. I'm looking to major in engineering/physics or computer science and the schools I have in mind are</p>

<ul>
<li>Bucknell</li>
<li>Caltech (I've been doing stretches for a year for this reach!)</li>
<li>Carleton</li>
<li>Harvey Mudd</li>
<li>Lafayette</li>
<li>Reed</li>
<li>Rice</li>
<li>Wellesley</li>
</ul>

<p>And my stats, for reference:</p>

<ul>
<li>ranked 8/292</li>
<li>unweighted GPA 3.95 / weighted 4.6</li>
<li>800CR/770M/720W (taking SAT 2 in November)</li>
<li>4 APs (taking 4 more this year)</li>
<li>robotics (member: 10, 11, 12)</li>
<li>GSA (member: 11, officer: 12)</li>
<li>science olympiad (11, 12) - I got 3rd (state) for one of the categories last year</li>
<li>50 hours of volunteering at FLL (robotics) tournaments</li>
</ul>

<p>Are these too reach-y, especially since I'm looking for a full ride, essentially, or as close to one as I can get? Should I even bother sending in an application at all to some of these schools? Should I just focus on finding scholarships instead of banking on something that's unlikely to happen?</p>

2

<p>Holy cow. Are you me? </p>

3

<p>As an international student myself in the 30000 dollars income category, I say go for it. It won’t hurt to try, and you have some pretty impressive scores, ECs and hook, Just make sure your essays and recommendations are spot on. :slight_smile: All the best!
Chance me?<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1689994-kenyan-applicant-here-with-serious-anxiety-over-stanford.html”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1689994-kenyan-applicant-here-with-serious-anxiety-over-stanford.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>@thankthe‌
Did you look into University of Alabama?
With you GPA and SAT score, you can get Full tuition scholarship for 8 semesters. U of alabama is very generous with scholarship, even to international students. </p>

5

<p>@pau2752 - I’d heard about UA’s scholarships but assumed they wouldn’t apply to me because UA is a public state school (I think) so it’s good to hear that there’s an option there! Thank you!</p>

6

<p>University of Alabama has Presidential scholarship: If you have 3.5 GPA and Math+CR SAT 1400 score, you are eligible for 8 semesters of full tuition.(about 100k). You have to apply for it, but it’s very easy to get. </p>

<p>There are some schools who give generous OOS(including international) scholarships, and U of Alabama is one of them.</p>