<p>Hi all
I’m currently a secondary school student with 2 years till I graduate. I am a New Zealand citizen and I have been eyeing up some of the Ivy School Uni’s and in particular Brown.
I really really (can’t stress enough) REALLY want to go to a uni in the U.S. due to the liberal approach to the studies. and i was wondering be accepted into a Uni like Brown, what/how you would recommend i prepare myself for the application?
my EC’s are quite impressive with international comps in sport and national merits in music and other stuff of course. and i am confident that i will get the highest grade in the majority of my subjects next year as well as in my SAT’s.
So, any hints?
O,yeah, I forgot to mention that I require financial aid and ‘yes’ its going to be tough so i need to be very impressive with the way i present myself.
Thanks</p>
<p>P.S. do you think i will be penalized if i drop english in my last year and so something like classics or history instead?</p>
<p>As an international student who needs financial aid, you should concentrate your efforts on schools that are need blind for international students. Brown is not. You can still apply, and should, but make sure you apply to schools that are need blind and those that have generous merit scholarships for internationals. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t drop English unless you’ve already taken four years.</p>
<p>O cool thanks. this is my 4th year of English in college, so next year(my last year) i was thinking of maybe classical studies or History?</p>
<p>hmmm, What are some recommended need blind Ivies out there?
I’m not quite sure what im going to major in but hopefully something along the sciencey type subjects.</p>
<p>Is there some reason why you are only interested in the Ivies? There are plenty of fine universities out there that are not Ivies.</p>
<p>As for your question – Google is your friend. Plus, there are other places to go on CC where international students discuss financial aid.</p>
<p>It’s a bad time to be an international asking for financial aid. </p>
<p>Now, if you’re only focusing on the Ivies (and correct me if I’ve misunderstood you) then your desire to “really really really go to a uni in the US” may well go unrealized. Yes, do get those awesome grades and SATs and whathaveyous, but when it finally comes down to the admissions decision, it’s all about your special abilities and interests and to a certain extent (outside of HYP), your financial need. Think about that, and do try to diversify your college choices.</p>
<p>My recommendation is to look at all the schools in the “Top Universities” and “Top Liberal Arts Colleges” on this website. All those schools provide an excellent education. Some of them are very interested in recruiting international students. To find out which, you might look at each school’s website.</p>
<p>Limiting yourself to Ivies could be a fatal flaw in your plan.</p>
<p>yea, after taking into account what you guys have suggested, i think your right. i just guessed ivies would be ‘better’ as i havn’t done my research properly :S.</p>