Help With Finding Schools? Liberal Arts?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm an international student and don't have guidance counselors who can help me so I'm wondering if the other members of CC could give me some idea of colleges that might suit me. :) </p>

<p>I want to take classes in a lot of diverse subjects. I want to become a Computer Analyst so I'm looking to major in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or something along those lines (and if I can, double major in Mathematics) but I also want to study foreign languages (Russian, Arabic, Spanish, French, Latin...? I know I'm going to find it hard to choose.) I want to study International Relations, Literature, Philosophy and that kind of thing. I'm worried about how I'm going to fit it all into my schedule but really, I'd like a school (I'm thinking liberal arts?) that is strong in both math/science and the humanities. I want the classes to be very challenging in both areas. </p>

<p>I'd prefer somewhere that wasn't too hot or too cold but I lean more toward it being too hot rather than too cold. I would be willing to consider anywhere, however. I would prefer being in a city or at the very least, near one as I've lived in a city all my life and enjoy the convenience and the resources in a city. </p>

<p>I'd like quite a big school but again, that isn't necessary, just a preference. I don't have a problem with large class sizes, etc. I'd like to have a lot of chances to get to know people. I really want somewhere that has "school spirit"! </p>

<p>I need somewhere that gives scholarships to international students. This and the challenging academics and strengths in both math/science and humanities are my biggest priorities. You can ignore everything else if you have an idea of a school based on just these requirements. :) </p>

<p>I really appreciate the help!</p>

2

<p>First, you can rule out most public universities, because usually they have little or no aid for international students. Unfortunately, some of the big public flagships also are among the schools that best meet some of your other requirements (good engineering programs, diverse offerings in foreign languages, “school spirt”, in/near large cities, etc.)</p>

<p>American *liberal arts colleges<a href=“or” title=“LACs”>/i</a> usually are private schools with about 3000 or fewer students and no (or limited) graduate programs. They often are located in rural, small town, or suburban areas. All but a few have no (or limited) engineering programs. So when you refer to “liberal arts”, maybe you don’t really want a LAC. However … these schools do have a few advantages (such as small classes and, in many cases, very generous aid to international students). </p>

<p>Swarthmore College, a small LAC, has an engineering program and is located just outside a large city (Philadelphia). Harvey Mudd is a LAC that focuses on science, technology, and engineering, and is a member of a 5-college consortium (the Claremont colleges), which gives you access to more courses than most LACs can offer. So Harvey Mudd might be an excellent choice for you. However, both Harvey Mudd and Swarthmore are among the most selective schools in America. A good but somewhat less selective, urban LAC with engineering is Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.</p>

<p>Below are lists of schools with good aid to internationals. Many of these are in fact LACs.
[Top</a> 25 Financial Aid Colleges in US for International Students (Need-aware) - Desperate Guide: Undergraduate College Financial Aid, Scholarship](<a href=“http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-25-financial-aid-colleges-in-us-for-international-students-need-aware]Top”>http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-25-financial-aid-colleges-in-us-for-international-students-need-aware)
[Top</a> 6 Need-blind Colleges in US for International Students - Desperate Guide: Undergraduate College Financial Aid, Scholarship](<a href=“http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-6-need-blind-colleges-in-us-for-international-students]Top”>http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-6-need-blind-colleges-in-us-for-international-students)</p>

<p>Among the larger schools on these lists, UPenn might be an excellent choice. However, again, Penn is among the most selective schools in America. Carnegie Mellon seems like a good fit, though it too is rather selective and unfortunately has no aid for internationals. Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland is less selective and seems to fit most of your criteria rather well … but unfortunately also has no aid for internationals. Tulane University is respected but not super selective, has an engineering program, has aid for internationals, and is located in an interesting warm-weather city. The University of Miami is another private school that seems to fit all these criteria.</p>

<p>If your qualifications don’t match for Tulane or Miami, you may need to relax & refine some of your criteria to find other attractive schools with good aid and realistic chances at admissions. Oh, and I haven’t looked at the deadlines (which are fast approaching - or already passed - in case you are applying for 2012).</p>

3

<p>How competitive of a student are you? It would help to know your stats so we can pick colleges that are potential targets for you. If Aid and selectivity were not issues then I would say Stanford and UC-Berkeley are perfect for you.</p>