Green Card / Citizenship affecting college decisions

Applying to College
1

I never gave this much thought, until recently, two of my immigrant friends, one from Korea and one from China, were flat out rejected at most top-tiers they’ve applied. Now, I know that it could have been their lack of something and was rejected fairly like anyone else, but they have been wondering if the lack of their citizenship affected the decisions in any way.

While on the Harvard website (one of my friends applied there RD) states that:

“All students are considered in the same pool, regardless of citizenship or the school they attend. A student’s chances for admission and financial aid are not affected by citizenship or by where a student attends school.”

they have their dounts.

Here’s the little I know about my friend who applied to Harvard, the other I’m not so sure of.

Ethnicity/G : Korean, Female. (100% I’m sure) Immigrated around 1995 ish, can’t remember, but when she was in 1st grade. Lived in the U.S. longer then she has in Korea, but she was born over there.
Grades: 4.0 UW
Rank: 1/600~
SAT: 1590
Surprisingly no violin, a little piano, but she’s big on tenor sax. o.0 She’s won some awards, but I don’t know much about this side of her.

News Editor on my staff which I lead as EIC, and I know that she got a rec from our advisor, and they are close friends. Us 3 hang out a lot. She’s been on the staff for 4 years.
Read her essay, IMO, (and I’m no expert) I liked it, it really was one of those “so you” type essays. Talked about her challenges as a female saxophonist among the stereotype of her Korean parents and their folks. One of her stories won a pulitzer/hearst press award in our local journalsim fair last fall. Her story will be sent this may to the National Scholastic Press, to compete as story of the year.

So I always thought, hey, she’s a strong applicant. But now all she needs is a little luck. After being rejected at Harvard EA, she followed with rejections from Stanford, Princeton, and Duke. Predictably, she’s been a broken down mess lately, taking rejections pretty hard.

I guess maybe she never had any luck, or didn’t stand-out that much, but to any of you, do you think the lack of citizenship could have played a role?

2

<p>I really don't think that would have matter given how much emphasis those schools place on diversity. The hard thing about it is, it's a matching thing not a contest thing. Now if she doesn't have a green card that would be bad. A LOT harder, to have the same chance you have to at least to be a permanent resident.</p>

3

<p>yeah.. green card applicants don't get discriminated.. now if you don't have green card and money(colleges love full paying international students), then you will seriously face some serious challenges.</p>

4

<p>Hopeman does hit some valid major points. </p>

<p>If friend is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, she gets thrown into the pool of international applicants where there are many people apply for a few spots. </p>

<p>Most schools are not need blind to international applicants to the ability to pay does become a major factor in the admissions process. </p>

<p>At need blind schools, they are still seeking diversity even among the international pool as the school will be very represented with Korean and Chinese candidates.</p>

<p>The international pool also may have stronger candidates than your friends who may be bringing a different profile to the table. remember Colleges are looking ot put together classes. Harvard, Princeton and Stanford are crapshoot schools for everyone so not one should think that their GPA/Grades will be enough to get them in because as you know there are plenty of #1's/ 1600's that have been rejected/waitlisted. </p>

<p>This is the main reason why you friend needs to have a full compliment of reach match and safety schools(wher she would be at the top of the pool for merit $$) including a financial saftey that she would be happy to attend if accepted.</p>

5

<p>like hopeman said, i've found that internationals willing to pay full tuition have an ADVANTAGE over others.
with a currency exchange rat like 1$=45 Rupees u have to be incredibly rich as an indian to pay roughly 40,000$ a year.
i'm guessing colleges figure these kids will be rich no matter what happens and consequently donate more when they become alumni and thereofore accept them.</p>

<p>a girl i know who FAILED the 11th grade, didnt pass math in the 12th grade, had hardly any EC's to speak of (but she did have a 1530 sat) got accepted to U Penn, Northwestern.</p>

<p>her dad is one of india's leading industrialists.</p>

<p>go figure.</p>