<p>I'm an international student who will be needing financial aid. I've even decided on a dream college. But, many people on this website think that it is a bad idea for internationals needing aid to apply ED. Why is this so? Is there any significant disadvantage in applying ED?</p>
<p>If you apply ED you are expected to attend the university if admitted. If you are not given enough financial aid to be able to afford this college (assuming you are admitted), that puts you in a very difficult situation. The better plan for internationals needing aid is to apply to a bunch of schools that you like a lot (and, I hate to say it, not get too attached to any one school) and find one that is a good compromise between price and quality.</p>
<p>This holds particularly true for an applicant from India, where there is a plethora of highly qualified applicants. I wish you luck and hope that you are able to attend your dream college.</p>
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This also depends on the policy of the college. Brown meets 100%-need for admitted internationals, hence this situation will not occur for Brown admits.</p>
<p>That’s true as long as what the college considers your need lines up with what you consider your need.</p>
<p>I don’t think Brown guarantees to meet need for internationals.</p>
<p>The issue is that you must use calculators to get a very good idea of what you would get if the school does meet 100% of need. If you have done that and called the schools with any questions, it is reasonable to apply ED to a school that meets need. </p>
<p>Be especially careful this year, the economy has made many schools change aid policies. Middlebury, which had been meeting need for internationals, will not do so this year. Others may well follow.</p>
<p>Middlebury will continue to meet full need for internationals, but they will not be need blind in admissions. Their financial aid budget for internations will remain in the $7-8 million range.</p>
<p>I asked and received some replies from the offices of finaid of some schools (which i’m intending to apply to)
They all said that situation was real. There were some people who got into that troubles
But those schools also said to me that it was ‘not a common occurrence’
So from what I observe + guess + research, if your dream school is in top 20, or even top 30, the school is usually generous enough not to admit your ED without meeting your need
Just go for it.</p>
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I disagree. There isn’t a guess factor in the equation. You will need to find out:</p>
<h1>Is your finances straightforward? (are you poor enough on paper to get a full ride)</h1>
<h1>Does the school meet full need for admitted internationals?</h1>
<p>If either of these answers are NO, then do not apply ED.</p>
<p>If you can find out whether the school really meets full need for ED-admitted international students, then that’s good.
except for a few top schools like harvard, yale, princeton, amherst, williams, middlebury… which really do meet full need of ED-admitted internationals, most school usually say very vaguely, like ‘we do meet full need for internationals, but it must be noted that funds for international are limited, so competition is tough blah blah…’ and they end by saying ‘if you are an international and you need large FA, do not apply ED’
that was what I received after mailing some schools to ask for the same matter
but i noted that in Colby’s and Trinity’s responses, they told me this situation had never happened before. either they would reject right away or they would admit you with your need met.
some schools are even nice enough to tell you that they’re willing to accept you if you can increase your contribution.
so i’m not sure about the lower-ranked schools, but for big, top schools, they usually won’t put you into trouble :)</p>
<p>@hbrad8002- the “Trinity” that you mentioned was trinity university or college?</p>
<p>it’s trinity college
trinity university is no where to be found in the top :)</p>
<p>small liberal arts colleges are generally good for internationals needing aid, like williams and middlebury. if you get in but don’t get the financial aid award you need, you can negotiate and/or withdraw your acceptance. i think the only case the ED contract can be broken is in the case of a financial aid award that’s lower than what you need.</p>
<p>Applying ED if you depend on financial aid is a bad idea. You are better off applying EA or RD.</p>
<p>there are some schools that i intend on applying to like wellesley, bowdoin, etc… will they turn me down cold if i apply early and request fin aid?</p>
<p>In these economic times, Full Pay might be considered another hook, but I have not seen any evidence that needing aid is a negative.</p>
<p>If you are accepted Early Decision, you are expected to go. A school may offer you the financial aid that THEY think you need. That number may be very different from what YOU think you need. If finances are a question, please don’t apply ED. Remember, the ED slot that you take could have gone to someone who applied realistically and honestly. Don’t apply ED if you can’t carry the cost.</p>