<p>I'm an international who is considering applying to Columbia as a transfer student. However, I'll need some financial aid to supplement my family's contribution to the cost of my education, and Columbia states that it has limited financial aid for international transfer students. Should I apply anyway and hope that, on the very slight chance that I'm accepted, I'll be awarded at least 9000 dollars? Common sense tells me not to bother, but on the other hand, an unrealistic sense of optimism urges me to apply. xD I'd really appreciate your opinions. Thank you. :)</p>
<p>It turns out my parents can’t afford as much as I originally thought they could. I’ll need somewhere between 25000 and 30000 dollars per year in aid from Stanford. Should I apply even so? Do international transfer applicants with this much need get accepted nowadays?</p>