Help an international student out?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Grinnell College
1

<p>Okay, so, I have a slight problem regarding finances. Typical, yes, I know.</p>

<p>Some information about me:</p>

<p>SAT I: 600W, 620CR, 770M - 1990 (I knoooow it's a crap score, and I was supposed to take it again on the 4th of December, but I can't get to Vienna now because of the snow)
SAT II: 750 M2, 650 German with listening
TOEFL: 104
GPA: 4,5/5, nobody gets a 5/5, ever, using WES, my "american" GPA would be around 3.9</p>

<p>Also, my GPA has a somewhat downward trend (but that happens to everyone here)
4.9, 4.5, 4.0, 4.2</p>

<p>Our national leaving exams, 28/34 (about 0,004% get 34), which translates to the grade A, or 5 (excellent) in my country.</p>

<p>Essay: I think the Common App one was quite good, I've had some people check it and some said it was very good some said it was great</p>

<p>Recommendations: Counselor & Teachers - Very good (counselor one might be a bit long though, it's over a page)
Piano mentor - Excellent</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: </p>

<p>I've played the piano for 14 years and I've won some awards, been on television a bunch of times, done a lot of concerts and a recital that was broadcasted on TV, also played with our national symphony orchestra and played at some major events and with some major music people, so this is pretty big for me, I played in the school orchestra, I accompanied my school's choir, I also performed a lot for charity I'm also submitting an arts supplement</p>

<p>I've trained karate for 8 years
I've danced for 2 years (not really that important)
I've co-founded a musical group for children with disabilities called Amdeus, we have 2 concerts per year</p>

<p>I do graphics and I've done print work for school invitations and such, also helped organizing events and participated in them</p>

<p>I had prose & poetry published in our school's err, paper-thingy?, and I won an award for a ghazal</p>

<p>I've worked for Zara for 2 years during weekends
I've worked in Greece in the summer as a bartender for a month to earn money for traveling</p>

<p>I've attended a German language summer course in Berlin GLS for 2 years for 3 weeks and got a certificate proving my fluency in German is at level C (yes, I know my German SAT2 score is appalling, but I never saw how the test looked like before I took it so I was kinda surprised by it all...)</p>

<p>I want to major in Computer Science and Music</p>

<p>That is all (:</p>

<p>I come from Slovenia, a country not really represented in the US and I've met Mr. Jonathan Edwards at a presentation they held here about a month or so ago. He seemed/seems pretty enthusiastic about having me at Grinnell next year and has also put me in contact with the Computer Science department and a few students, and we correspond regularly.</p>

<p>I really want to attenc Grinnell college, but my mum can really only pay about 15,000 USD at most a year.
There is a (very) slight possibility that I could recieve a national scolarship for "international mobility" that amounts to 32, 000 EUR, and if I got that I would have no need for financial aid. </p>

<p>The problem here is, that the funds are limited, 3 million EUR for undergrads & grads and it is based on points. Grads automatically get more points so it's quite hard for an undergrad to get it.</p>

<p>Now the other problem is that, I have to be admitted to a college FIRST before I apply for that scholarship. And now I don't know what to do...apply for financial aid, and risk not being accepted to the college I want to get into, or not apply for financial aid and apply for the scholarship if/when I get accepted and risk not being able to attend?</p>

<p>Could anyone give me some information about merit scholarships there?</p>

<p>I'm sorry for this extremely long post.</p>

2

<p>Oh, also, my parents are divorced and my father will not contribute to financing my studies.</p>

3

<p>Merit aid financial aid for internationals is not that great, need-based aid however is decent.
In the end it comes down to how much Grinnell wants you. The fact that John Edwards knows you is probably a good asset as he could advocate for your behalf in front of the financial aid board.</p>

4

<p>This is SO frustrating. If only it could be possible to apply for financial aid, and if they didn’t want to give it to you…for you to still be considered for admission without financial aid.</p>

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<p>any other opinions would be much appreciated (:</p>

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<p>I don’t see a downside in applying to Grinnell. Just send in an application! Then hopefully the financial aid will work out. You can’t get in if you don’t apply. Grinnell has better financial aid for international students than most colleges. Just do it!</p>

7

<p>Yeah, I did do that in the end. I just applied ED2 to Grinnell with aid, explaining my situation to mr. Edwards. He seemed very enthusiastic about me applying ED2, so yeah fingers crossed (:</p>

8

<p>best of luck to you. I’m glad you explained the situation. I’ll bet it will all work out. You sound like a wonderful candidate. </p>

<p>I love it how a teenager in Europe can work as a bartender! Chances are you won’t get much competition from others on that part of your application!</p>

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<p>BTW, I’d love to visit Slovenia someday. I’ve heard it’s beautiful. The closest I’ve been is Serbia. Glad you applied. Good luck!</p>

10

<p>Thanks to both of you (:</p>

<p>Oooft, yes, if you’re here as a turist you’ll love it :P, everything’s really pretty, plus, it only takes about 2 hours to get from the coast to the alps. People may not know much english, but I encourage you to visit (:, you’ll get a lot of nice pictures (if you’re into that).
I’ve actually never been to Serbia, but I’ve heard, from my friends, that it’s still pretty war-torn.</p>

<p>Anyway, yes, 44 days till I know what happens for sure (:</p>

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<p>It actually isn’t war-torn, I should know, I live in it. But, the education system is, well, hindering to say the least.
Belgrade is a wonderful city to visit, it’s really relaxing and friendly to strangers (come to think of it, almost every town around here is!), you should come on a tour!
By the way, I’m also applying RD to Grinnell this year, and I hope I’ll get accepted because it looks like a phenomenal place to go to!
People in Serbia usually don’t get chances to study abroad (maybe like 1-2% of students)</p>

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<p>Yes, we loved Belgrade. A beautiful city and it didn’t seem war-torn at all. Lovely in the summer with outdoor cafes and fun, interesting clubs at night. It felt exceptionally safe. Our son did a summer internship there and had an amazing experience.</p>

13

<p>Well I really, honestly wouldn’t know, but I’ll take your word for it (:
My grandma was actually born in Serbia and lived there for a few years and I she’s been talking a lot lately about wantin to visit her hometown again.</p>

<p>I’m guessing our education systems are pretty much on the same level, in any case though hopefully I’ll see you there next year then :P</p>