<p>For an int'l student like you and me, what defines a 'reach', 'match' and 'safety' schools? I am talking mostly to the super high achievers who are shooting for HYPSM and need Financial aid.</p>
<p>I mean, obviously, HYPSM are all reaches... but are schools like Northwestern, Emory, Vanderbilt, UChicago 'matches' for int'l students asking for FinAid? (BTW, I wont apply to any safety, since my parents refuse to pay up for a 'safety' school)</p>
<p>Keep in mind the vast majority of schools are Need-Aware for internationals, so if you are asking for aid, that will put you at a disadvantage. There's only a handful of schools that are need-blind (do a search of this forum; I remember there being a thread which compiled a list of need-blind schools)</p>
<p>For me and most of my friends, we only had safety and reach schools. Getting into a Canadian university was pretty much guaranteed so no worries there. All our reach schools were the very top schools in the States as they were the ones that were need-blind. UChicago is exceptionally difficult to get into because it's not need-blind.</p>
<p>Believe me, there are no reaches, matches or safeties for you if you are an int'l student requiring aid and are shooting for the top colleges. I too didn't apply to any safety and nearly regretted that decision.
For any safety, you could look at some of the lower-ranked state schools with honors programs along with scholarships like Presidential scholarship. They won't provide you with a bad education. Similarly, you could look at some slightly lower-ranked LACs like St. Johns which can provide you with enough funds while giving you a great education.
I learnt these lessons only after I was rejected or waitlisted by almost all of the colleges I'd applied to.</p>
<p>you have to do lots of research- for eg emory provides zero aid for intels</p>
<p>Is there really a clear-cut safety for intls seeking aid? I mean the whole thing is so random</p>
<p>yeah if there is a school that asks for specific stats and you have those stats and apply early there is a safety.</p>
<p>^that's my point. I saw the admit rate of Stanford for int'ls seeking for aid and I felt so mad! (Btw, the admit rate was 35/1000+ students, or about 3%) The rates are even worse at UofC, Northwestern, etc.</p>
<p>Does this mean 'matches' virtually do not exist for students shooting for the best? (safeties arent an option for me since my parents refuse to pay for them)</p>
<p>Oh, University of New Orleans is one!</p>
<p>@Kowloon: What could be a match for an American might not be a match for an intl.</p>
<p>I would say the same... Everything is so random for internationals.... I got wait listed at both Amhest and Hamilton... insane... probably cuz of Aid... I say apply to a lot of schools, show a lot of interest, cuz trust me there are no true safeties...</p>
<p>Got in anywhere?</p>
<p>I assume you are asking me.... might be wrong though...</p>
<p>Got in nowhere... :( I think the better schools thought I wasn't good enough. The lower order rejected me cuz I was asking for too much aid... almost full... wait listed at Amherst, Middlebury, Carleton and Hamilton... hopefully will get in somewhere...</p>
<p>^dang.. that really s*cks. I'm applying next year, and your situation is the one I'm precisely worried about (I'm asking about 3/5 aid)</p>
<p>It really sucks when you read in some of the top U.S. schools that they are need-blind because they think everyone should have an equal shot regardless of their financial state, while they hypocritically discriminate against the int'ls (not that they have a duty or obligation to give a free pass for us int'ls, but at least don't put that kind of hypocritical motto)</p>
<p>The University of New Orleans should be in everyone's list if you are seeking financial aid.</p>
<p>Why can't your safety schools be in your home country? Attending a top domestic university can often be more advantageous than attending a "safety" U.S. college.</p>
<p>^that's what I'm doing. But here, I'm asking what MATCH schools we int'ls can look for. I mean, the only need blind schools for int'ls are crazy competitive, thus are pretty much reaches for anyone.</p>
<p>BUMP!</p>
<p>can anyone suggest any match schools for int'ls needing FinAId?</p>
<p>I am not sure that category exists. Cause you have the safety schools that give merit based aid for having certain stats, but then you have good schools that give out limited need based aid. I'd suggest you to apply to A LOT of reaches. I mean once you request financial aid, it is a reach. Some school might accept you, but not give you financial aid. Other won't accept due to the financial aid.
So a true Match school ? not sure if that exists.</p>
<p>Quite an interesting read if you ask me.</p>
<p>Agree with dan</p>