<p>Hello,
I would like to get everyones input on whether or not I can get in schools like Choate, Exeter, Andover, Deerfield etc. etc. (My No. 1 choice is Choate, I love it.) I'll just concisely list my accomplishments and ECs. (Am from Panama , Central America, not Florida.)</p>
<ul>
<li><p>I am fluent in both English, and Spanish.</p></li>
<li><p>I practice Hap-Ki-Do, and am soon getting my blue belt.</p></li>
<li><p>I play American Football, and was elected to play in the all star team of Panama, but could not attend because of some family issues.</p></li>
<li><p>I have played soccer, this is one of my favorite sports, and i've played it for 7 years.</p></li>
<li><p>I have also played tennis, for about 5 years.</p></li>
<li><p>Once I turn 14 in May am planning to join the Cayuco team, this team does the ocean to ocean race, the name is pretty self explanatory.</p></li>
<li><p>I get 2-4 As each quarter.</p></li>
<li><p>I won the Presidents Education Award</p></li>
<li><p>Im attending Exeter's Summer School</p></li>
</ul>
<p>(Im also vegetarian I thought I would throw that in, probably isn't very important.)</p>
<p>I know I may not have the best chances, but I would like to get everyones thoughts on whether or not I can get in either of these schools. Please don't say I have a very good chance just to be nice, please be honest. Also I would like to know if FA hurts my chances.
Thank you all for your time.</p>
<p>Bump. I wanna know too if FA hurts your chances :)</p>
<p>FA definitely hurts your chances. if it’s possible, do not check off the financial aid box-- you’ll be put in a more competitive pool.</p>
<p>even for supposedly need-blind schools, which mean they don’t take your financial situation into consideration (ie andover, st andrews), i’m wary. don’t apply for FA unless it’s really necessary because i think it’s detrimental. i mean (even with need-blind schools) if andover had 2 applicants who were nearly identical and one needed FA and the other didn’t, i honestly think the one who didn’t need FA would be given preference. however-- need-blind schools <em>are</em> probably more FA-friendly, so be sure to check them out. st andrews is only an option to US citizens though, because they don’t give FA to internationals : (</p>
<p>also, if you’re international and need FA you’re in a different situation altogether. it’s much harder (from what i gather) to get FA if you’re international than if you were a US citizen. even tippity top schools like deerfield admit they have a “very limited financial aid budget for non-U.S. citizens… Deerfield does award financial aid to a few foreign students each year”. chances look grim. </p>
<p>anyway, it looks like you’re very athletic-- i’d contact coaches and maybe send tapes for football and/or soccer. being recruited definitely improves your chances for admittance and getting FA. best of luck!</p>
<p>@ptyaljandro,
You are an international asking for financial aid. It’s very,very, VERY hard to get accepted if you’re an international student seeking financial aid. I think the only member on this board who received financial aid as an international student is @TomTheCat, so it’s pretty rare. @DiveAlive laid out the realities of applying for financial aid perfectly. If I were you, I’d add a few less selective schools to your list, if possible. </p>
<p>Your application itself seems very good. You seem very involved in athletics, so I would emphasize that on your application. Aside from that, I can’t see much else you can do. Good luck, you’re going to need it.</p>
<p>Well, while your chances may be small, don’t lose hope. I have a friend who attended Exeter as a PG student and she’s an international student (Mexico). As a matter of fact, she just returned a few weeks ago. She didn’t get full FA, but she didn’t have to pay much. Imagine how difficult it could have been? But she did it! (And she also attended Summer School and got 3 Honors, so that helped a bit). Really, even if FA does hurt your chances, it’s worth trying. Your application is very good. Maybe it would be a good idea to apply to other schools, like ifax108 said.</p>
<p>BTW, see you at Summer School! I can’t believe it’s next week!</p>