<p>I'm particularly drawn to the small and closely-knitted community culture, so my college list contains hardly any non-LAC. Several factors have contributed to this situation:</p>
<p>Although I got a handful of schools after applying this criteria, I'm inclined to study sciences at liberal arts schools for they have a surprising student-faculty ratio (i.e. professors here are more accessible than those at big schools) and concentration on undergraduate teaching. I want to pursue a career in sciences, so I'm thinking of research universities, probably Ivies, for grad schools.</p>
<p>Their generosity was an important factor while compiling the list since I'm an international student and in need of high financial assistance. LACs seem to be more generous than their national counterparts towards foreign kids.</p>
<p>Finally, I feel like in a hospital when I think of competing against a sample of 20000 students. It obviously is a relief to know that a 3000 has applied, at least looking at the number.</p>
<p>I narrowed down to Grinnell, Clark, Union and Bucknell. I was about to ED at Grinnell, but with the Oct SAT I do think I should reconsider the whole thing.
Stat: 5.00/1990 (CR560, 710, 720)
Major: CS/ Physics</p>
<p>On its website, Grinnell told that int'ls with high need should apply RD for it has a few Int'l Special Scholarships which cover almost full cost. I've requested for information and found that (22/40) ED applicants were accepted. I know it's a high reach but thought of Grinnell's low yield rate, and yes, it's the school I'd always love to attend. Should I still ED there or go for the other choices? Any thought? Suggestion? You might add some schools.</p>
<p>If you have high financial need, you shouldn’t apply ED to Grinnell. However you can contact them and explain they’re your clear first choice, but that you will apply RD instead of ED only because of the financial aid issue. Email professors with whom you’re interested in studying, ask if you can be in touch with other students, and send your application early even if it’s for the RD pool.</p>
<p>Thanks. But don’t you think it’ll be hard for me get into at RD round, with this stat?
Can you please put a few other names where I’m likely to get admission? that’ll be very helpful.</p>
<p>OP, is Grinnell stating that the special scholarships are only for RD applicants, and not for ED applicants? And you need the money to attend?</p>
<p>Then apply RD and do whatever else you can to enhance your application. Really work on your essays. Maybe study really hard for the CR section, and take again. Or try the ACT to see if you do well on it.</p>
<p>If you are accepted ED, but can’t afford to attend because you were not eligible for the scholarship–what good will the acceptance do you?</p>
<p>Boysx3, Grinnell stated that the committee doesn’t make recommendations until early spring. ED applicants are not excluded; they’d have to wait a longer time for scholarship consideration. Apart from that, Grinnell claims that it’ll meet 70-80% of demonstrated need who doesn’t win that scholarship.</p>
<p>I really can’t decide between ED and RD to Grinnell. ED has less competition and tendency towards accepting but less money. RD has severe competition and the same money if one doesn’t win that scholarship.</p>
<p>Happy1, I’m looking into F&M. Thanks for putting the name.</p>
<p>Well, can you pay 30% of Grinnell’s cost of attendance?
If so, apply ED.
If not, apply RD but make sure to communicate to Grinnell that they’re your clear first choice.
I second asdfkl’s suggestion of looking into Carleton.</p>
<p>^ 30% of Grinnell’s cost of attendance isn’t necessarily the maximum amount the OP would have to pay. If Grinnell only meets 70%-80% of determined need for internationals who don’t get the scholarship, the OP would be responsible for the baseline Expected Family Contribution plus 20%-30% of determined need. The EFC alone might be more than 30% of the total COA in his case. He should use the online net price calculator to clarify this.</p>
<p>Carleton is moving in the wrong direction with respect to selectivity if the OP is worried about getting into Grinnell. However, it might be worth an application if it has significantly better need-based aid for internationals.</p>
<p>Lawrence is a LAC with a good physics program and a bit less selective than Grinnell. The overall cost at Lawrence is lower, although they seem to indicate on their website that “you application is most competitive for admission if you have at least $18,000/year available for your education” for international students. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply if you don’t have that much, but something to note. If you are casting a wide net you should consider them. </p>
<p>Carleton’s 25th percentile CR score is 660, so I don’t think I’m going to get in. Besides, the standards for int’l should be higher since it’s a top LAC. </p>
<p>MYOS1634 and tk21769, thanks for showing the difference. My family can actually pay 2k-ish. We are well of, but our country is an impoverished one. I need something close to full-ride but that seems near impossible in a school like Carleton where I barely stand a chance.</p>
<p>I liked the idea of doing RD to Grinnell and telling them they’re my first choice. However, taking its benefits into consideration, I can’t just wait until January and watch the ED card’s slipping out through my fingers.</p>
<p>Need some names that are similiar to or lower than Grinnell in selectivity but are generous, I doubt any such school exists though.
Thanks everyone for taking a look and making such fine recommendations!</p>
<p>Of the schools on this list, Colorado College, Macalester, and Reed are comparable in selectivity to Grinnell. Skidmore is a bit less selective.</p>
<p>Lawrence was a good suggestion, too. I don’t know how likely any of these schools are to cover all but $2K/year.</p>
<p>intparent, Dickinson is an excellent recommendation in terms of selectivity and FA, but I have no idea how strong its sciences are. Union gives lots of money although it expects atleast 7K family contribution. I’m going to ask them if they include on-campus jobs in their package.</p>
<p>tk21769, I’m going through the list. Thanks for posting it.</p>