<p>Hello, I am interested in both Harvard and Wharton. Let's assume that academically I get admitted into both institutions as an international student.
I've read a bit about both Wharton and Harvard's international student financial aid programs, and it seems that Harvard is way more generous, while with Wharton on the other hand, it's a near impossibility as an international student to get acceptable financial aid.
Is it accurate that Harvard is better and more generous for international students with needs for financial aid?</p>
<p>If you want to study business, apply to Wharton. If you want to study liberal arts, apply to Harvard. Easy as that. </p>
<p>You won’t know how financial aid works out until you get your offers. Most families are surprised by their financial aid offer, both positively and negatively, so there’s little point in speculating.</p>
<p>Yes, Penn has far less money for internationals and far less generous policies overall. Few schools can compete with Harvard’s aid.</p>
<p>^ Spot on. Applying to UPenn for finaid as an international student decreases you chance of admission significantly. I would say that getting into Wharton w finaid is far more difficult than getting into Harvard w finaid (with its need blind policy and deeper pockets).</p>
<p>The OP was not asking how his financial aid application would affect his chances (there’s little he can do about that). Rather, he was asking how his financial aid packages would compare assuming he gets admitted to both.</p>
<p>oh yeah what if my dad did his mba at wharton ? does that improve my chances of getting into their grad programme ? i know that’s the case for undergrad studies but does this apply to graduate studies as well ??</p>
<p>Well, Barium, I was actually interested in both, because my financial aid needs ultimately affect my chances, at Wharton at least. I wouldn’t want to attend Wharton if it has much lousier financial aid than Harvard.</p>
<p>@Depr91:</p>
<p>Yes, having a legacy at Wharton definitely helps your chances. That’s another discussion though.</p>
<p>
That’s a decision to make once you have been admitted and seen your aid offer. It’s impossible to predict just how generous (or not) a financial aid offer would be if you get admitted at all. I am a part-time student at Penn. Some of my friends got amazing aid offers, and I also know two students who had to turn Penn down because the aid wasn’t enough. (All CAS majors though.) It can go either way.</p>
<p>@ OP</p>
<p>Obviously, I cannot tell you anything new. Financial aid at Wharton is going to be hard. Getting into Harvard is going to be hard- I cannot say which one is harder. However, Harvard would give you full aid if your family earns less than $60,000. Are these the only schools on your list? </p>
<p>good luck though!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, Barium. I thought it wasn’t possible to put aid offers up against each other and pick?</p>
<p>@Sefago
No, but these are my top picks.
I am probably going to exclude Wharton though, they won’t give me very good aid, because of 2 reasons.
- My family can already pay a lot of it.
- The danish government gives partial funding completely for free.
From what I have read, Wharton seems to not be so generous with helping international students who aren’t completely poor.
I can imagine Harvard would just fill in the remaining money.
Needing international financial aid on Wharton seems like a baggage and something that’s gonna be a huge block on your path, while with Harvard they seem to cover your needs freely, once you are admitted, regardless of nationality.</p>
<p>Of course you can compare aid packages (unless you apply Early Decision)!</p>
<p>Actually, it’ very easy to know that Harvard’s offer will be much more generous for any student, international or not. Their policcies are vastly different with Harvard having much more to give every admitted student.</p>
<p>U r **not **going to wharton with fin aid. Period. unless u r like solely number 1 in ur country.
and this almost applies to every other b-school in US. U gotta have money to secure ur spot in a b school in US as an international.</p>
<p>@TAHUNGAHN
Actually, I am number 1, because I go to an elite BUSINESS high school, we have Corporate Economy and International Economy in high school and stuff like that, and I am the best there.</p>
<p>I assume that would only grant me 50-70% MAXIMUM. While Harvard would give free ride.</p>
<p>Danish government pays 20%(guaranteed, no merit thing), and we can easily pay 10-30 % as well. That could work out.
Well, that’s just speculation, for now I think Barium is right, it’s better to apply and see out both FA packages, Harvard’s always gonna be better, but if Wharton gives a pretty decent one, it might be worth the extra payment.</p>
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<p>I think you should also be aware that wharton would prefer rich kids who can pay full and are number 1</p>