Hello,
I’m an international student from Italy, wishing to major in engineering. (undegraduate)
I don’t know how to calculate my GPA, my average at school last year was 9.3/10. I scored 610 CR 610 M 630 W on my first SAT in October, but I can absolutely do better in Math (Subj. test 5th Nov.)
I need Financial Aid because my family can’t afford more than $10,000 per year. Could you provide me some of the top schools that may fit me (cost and major)?
Other than cost and major, I would consider (secondary importance) urban colleges, near to cities such as New York (a dream) and not too small. Thanks a lot.
Try Case Western Reserve. They are generous with financial aid for engineers and Cleveland is a major city.
For scholarships, retaking the SAT Reasoning would be very important. You would typically need 1400 CR+M, or 2100 CR+M+W, to have a shot at good scholarships. You need to prepare very seriously and retake the test as soon as you can - subject tests don’t matter if you can’t get a higher score in Reasoning. You may find the ACT easier, too, so you could try it in December.
Many scholarships have December 1st deadlines, so only the November and December tests can still be used.
With your 1220 CR+M, you get a full tuition scholarship at Howard. If you can get to 1300, you get full tuition and room (you still need to pay for “board”, ie., food, plus books and personal expenses). Also, Howard is a HBCU.
Are you a boy or a girl? If a girl, Smith is quite generous and has engineering. However, again, it’s not your “like in movies” large university with football; UNlike Howard, Smith isn’t a HBCU, it’s a women’s college (a college dedicated to the empowerment of women). Abroad, it’s known as Grey’s Anatomy’s Christina Yang’s college and as the college in Commencement by JC Sullivan (likely to have a different title in your country).
Wha subject tests are you taking beside Math2? A science? Latin?
(Most Italian students are quite good at Latin. In addition, a good math2 score, a good physics score, are expected from future engineers… but a good latin score would definitely set you apart. It’s only offered in December, not November, though.
https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation/latin)
Thanks @nervedoctor ! I’m trying to learn something more on the fin. aid. Do you think I could have the tuition covered?
Thanks @MYOS1634 . I don’t know If I can reach 2100 beacuse of my average knowledge of English; I’m not a skilled speaker, it is not widely taught in my country. I have problems in vocabulary and consequently “understanding”.
I’m thinking of taking the ACT because it provides more math. I could take the Subj. tests in December and, at the same time, prepare on my own for the ACT with a guide book.
I’m planning to take Math 2, maybe Latin and Biology (or Chemistry).
You mentioned Howard, but it doesn’t offer engineering. And Smith isn’t the right place for me, I’m a boy :((
Any other advice?
I recall a thread by an int’l student from india who received a generous scholarship from WPI.
I agree taking the ACT would be a good idea, at least to try. You should do well in the science and math sections, English is just grammar and vocabulary so you can study, the only problem is the critical reading section which is even harder than the SAT’s. But it’s only 1/4th of the total.
$10,000 budget means you need more than full tuition. That’s the problem - full rides are rare and very competitive, except for the guaranteed full rides but for your scores the colleges wouldn’t be very good so you’d have to choose some with an Honors college and many options including graduate classes for honors students.
You’d need $14-15,000 for things to be workable with full tuition scholarships.
Check out South Dakota School of Mines, it’s well-recruited.
University of Waterloo, in Canada, is excellent and probably cheaper - I know of an international student who had a budget similar to yours and was able to afford it with co-op and no scholarship. I don’t know whether he’s typical or not.
Yes @GMTplus7 , WPI is already on my list. I hope my scores are competitive enough for the F. Aid.
From EducationUSA: https://educationusa.state.gov/scholarships/wpi-international-scholarship
@MYOS1634 do you have a guide with tests to advise me for the ACT? I could buy one on Amazon.
I need full tuition for sure. The remaining cost (about $15,000) could be covered with family contribution, loans and a job in the campus; I’ll do whatever I can.
I’m checking the other schools you talked about. Thank you all, really 
Are you interested in engineering specifically or would you be interested n applied math, applied physics, or computer science? Because those would open more possibilities?
What possibilities? You mean more schools to choose with f. aid or more job availability?
I’d prefer engineering, I don’t know what exactly includes applied math.
Should I take the ACT plus Writing or the normal ACT? Which do the schools require? @MYOS1634
more colleges that offer financial aid (because a lot of colleges that have FA for internationals are LACs, most of which don’t have Engineering)