Hi everyone. I’m an international student from India applying to the US & Canada. I’ve been admitted to many colleges but my decision is extremely hard because of so many varying factors. I’ve managed to narrow it down to 4 and now I was wondering if some other people could offer me their (unbiased) point of view.
Georgetown: I was accepted EA, but my aid offer hasn’t come yet. I expect it to be terrible because of what I’ve heard and if it is, then I want to know if its worth it spending all my parent’s savings on Georgetown or saving for the future.
Grinnell: Recently admitted. Sensational aid offer. I don’t think I could live somewhere so rural though. I heard it sets you up for law school just as well anywhere else. Would this actually be true though if I choose it?
Tulane: I know it’s lower in rankings and reputation than Georgetown, but I love the vibe of the school and the city and I’ve been offered a great merit scholarship, a place in the honors program and a possibility of doing the Altman Dual Degree in International Business and Liberal Arts which is perfect for what I want to study.
McGill: It has a great international name compared to the others, but I fear like it might be too big (and too cold) for me to attend. Also they never reply to my e-mails and it feels like that level of inattentiveness is all I’d see if I went there.
I want to study something like Pol Sci or Econ along with German. I’d like to consider a future in either ib or Law and I’m undecided as of yet on that. I’d be looking for employment right out of college and a good social life. Please Help?
If you are interested in law, why are you even considering completing your undergrad degree in the US? Law is a postgraduate program here, and there is almost no scholarship money available at any of the US law schools. You would have to cover all of those costs yourself. Not to mention of course that the law school programs here prepare students for the US Bar exams. They would be almost useless for someone in your situation. It would make much more sense for you to complete law school in your home country, and then come here for a Master or PhD program in a special field of law that interests you.
If your goal is to find a job and stay, then McGill is probably where you want to be. Canada has much more favorable work permission while you are in university, and after graduation.
Run the numbers here, and see what they look like. Don’t forget to make adjustments for cost of travel, and winter weather clothing.
http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletteradvanced.phtml
@happymomof1 Hi, thanks for answering my question. I’m aware that Law is a post-graduate program in the US, and I don’t have any interest in practicing law in India. I can afford my undergrad but then I’d have to take significant loans for Law School in case I decide to go. Thanks for the input and the link seems very useful. 
Georgetown all the way (in general). Awesome location, great name-recognition, gorgeous campus.
@tacoshell97 - It is important to remember that if you aren’t a US citizen or legal permanent resident (green card status), you won’t be able to borrow any money here for law school studies without a qualified US co-signer. You also aren’t going to get a job here as a lawyer after graduating from that law school because there are too many unemployed law school grads who are citizens or have green cards. No company is going to be able to get you the working visa permission. There is a slight chance that an international company might be able to get you a working visa if you have a law degree from India, some work experience there or elsewhere, and further advanced legal training from the US or somewhere else.
Depending on your financial aid package, Georgetown. If Georgetown would require you to take more than $5,500 in loans to pay for your first year, then Tulane, without hesitation - you got a great offer and it sounds like a great fit.
Nope, I’d to Tulane. Georgetown isn’t worth the extra $ it would cost your parents, they tend to skimp on aid. You can be a standout in Tulane and set yourself up for grad school.