<p>I am considering applying EA to Stan, but I'm not sure how far my financial need will go in affecting my chances. So Stanford is not need-blind for international applicants? </p>
<p>If you apply for aid, do you have to be an extremely good student so you can be admitted? Does demonstrated need vary directly with the probability that you will be selected.</p>
<p>Current Stanford students and experienced people, please help! Thanks.</p>
<p>If you are an international that applies for financial aid to Stanford, the chances of being admitted are extremely slim, especially if your need is a large amount.</p>
<p>With my case, I'm an international. I used fee waivers for Stanford. And finally, I'm admitted, with a financial aid package totalling 46,553 dollars a year. My family contribution is $500 (that's what I wrote on FA application). I don't know why I can be admitted under such a circumstance, just get amazed.</p>
<p>You must be an amazing student williamzhang because Stanford gives international financial aid to only about 15 students each year. If you are an international who applies for aid and they feel that they cannot match your need then you won't be accepted even if you are good enough. But if you are exceptional they can even provide free rides, which you essentially have received. Well done.</p>
<p>Gary King, I'm quite sure that Financial Aid at Stanford is need-blind for Canadians</p>
<p>"If you are an international that applies for financial aid to Stanford, the chances of being admitted are extremely slim, especially if your need is a large amount."
-not true!</p>
<p>I am an intl and got ~46k out of required 48k !</p>
<p>Yeah, inuendo, you are true. Financial situation will be a MAJOR factor in Stanford admission for int'l students.
Anyway, Jrock, this doesn't mean you should feel expelled from applying. If you have concerns over the application fee, just ask your counselor to write a genuine fee waiver request for you. Many of us poor int'l have never dreamed of being admitted into Stanford before we initiated our applications, but as the decision day comes, we are amazed at the good news.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your replies.
App fee is not even the problem. THe problem is where to apply early. Is Stanford EA worth the while, because I don't want to be disapppointed.
Guys/girls who got >40k, were you wizards ( maybe academically or otherwise ). What I'm trying to say is, if you apply for aid, does your academic strength play a strong role in determining your chances?</p>
<p>williamzhang, did you apply early? Because I feel that early action applicants have an edge somehow, whether the school would like to admit it or not.</p>
<p>No, I applied RD. I was rejected by Williams College early decision.
I'm not a wizard. I think the admission officers treat me as a funny applicant, because I'm 21 years old already. I certainly keep a very good academic performance (Ranked 1st throughout high school and many following off-campus research after that, and with a 1600 SAT), but the major factor may be that I can think about myself deeper than many younger applicants.</p>
<p>Jrock, you have to be an outstanding student to receive high levels of financial aid as an international student if you apply to Stanford. You have to be an applicant who is near the top of the admissions pool, with your strengths lying in any number of areas, not necessarily academics. </p>
<p>Regarding applying early, what other schools are you interested and how keen are you to attend Stanford?</p>
<p>Ok, so here goes...
I am an intl who applied to Stanford and got 46k out of 48k so I guess it doesn't get more than that. However I decided to go to Harvard.</p>
<p>As for my stats, I guess you need to be an open-minded person, overall, and to have various interests. I participated in two International Physics Olympiads (was the youngest ever contestant from my country to qualify and won silver medal - the best score my country has had in recent 5 years or so)+ a number of national competitions awards....Besides that I mentioned my school's debate club, international conferences and blabla etc...</p>
<p>I am also a dog lover, and said I used money from my part time job to buy my friend a puppy so we could take dogs out for a walk together (did not mention she was good looking though :)</p>
<p>yeah thanks, inuendo. you have to shine in other areas besides academics. Basically, I'm trying to decide where to apply EA between Stanford and Harvard. Which gives a better chance?</p>
<p>im pretty sure that harvard is actually need blind even for international students, so in terms of financial aid, you would have a much better shot at harvard (since they don't factor financial aid in when they decide whether or not to admit you.)</p>