<p>I am applying to six very good colleges. I have written individual essay to each of them (7essays). Now I am working on transfer supplement essay to one college. They all are pretty similar. Top libiral arts colleges in country. They offer financial aid to international students. I want to write essay showing that I interested in their school because it matchs to my personality. That I am looking for exact academic program that only they offer. But it is not true! The main reason I am transferring to their college is they offer financial aid to international transfer students. They even don't have the program I am looking for. But there are very few colleges that offer financial aid to international transfer students so I chose this college. it is really good. they have strong liberal arts program. but who doesn't? </p>
<p>So now I can't decide weather should I mention that the basic reason I am transferring is that financial aid or not? </p>
<p>First, why would you consider going to a college that doesn’t offer the program you want?</p>
<p>Second, you don’t have to convince them that they are the only school in the universe that meets your academic needs. Good grief! You need to convince them that they have a cluster of traits highly attractive to you, and that you have a cluster of traits highly attractive to them.</p>
<p>Finally, no. I would NOT mention that you are really only applying because they will give you money. I also would not say anything like “I am applying because you are one of the top liberal arts colleges.”</p>
<p>And do you REALLY think that every place has a strong liberal arts program?!?</p>
<p>Dude, if you want my honest opinion then both of your topics (only you offer the academic program i need — and — I only wanna come because of the dough) will not be effective. Come up with a true reason. Find out about their student population, find out about their research projects and propose them what you can do for them as well.</p>
<p>But yeah, I totally agree with Got2BeGreen. Why would you consider going to a college that doesn’t offer what you want?</p>
<p>Many people desperately want academic prestige regardless of meeting any true goal because their family got everything (money, power) already. In your situation (because u are seeking fin aid) I presume that your family is not that wealthy/powerful. You should find an education that fits you. </p>
<p>A bachelor of liberal arts from Harvard might do you less good (economy-wise and career-wise) than a nursing certificate at the community college.</p>
<p>thank you for your response. It was really helpful.
I had very few choices. Because I desparately want to study in US. But the education is really expensive. Especially for a poor international student like me. I would love to study even in community college, but believe you or not I can’t afford it
So I have to choose among best liberal art colleges, that have good fin.aid policy for transfer international students. BTW i am majoring in Public Relations. So it is really interdisciplinary major. I can take basics from different departments like psychology, sociology, arts. When I will be a grad student I can take more major-related specific courses.</p>
<p>My recommendation is not give consideration as to whether it is a “top school” or not. I would propose utilizing the approach that worked for me: Figure out what your highest priority is. (In this case, financial aid)</p>
<p>Look through all the schools that you think could be interesting. Review their financial aid policies and see if you can afford them. If so, whittle it down. Get it down to a “final selection” of choices, then review their academic programs. When you finally can’t get it down anymore, apply for those schools.</p>
<p>Prestige is never a valid reason to attend a school. You want one that gives you a cost effective education to educate yourself, not get a name. (I still roll my eyes at an ex-girlfriend who got a Biology degree from Cornell that cost around $100,000+ and is still paying off student loans as a Customer Service rep at a Harley dealership 6 years later. But at least she went to <em>Cornell!!</em> (lol))</p>
<p>You should also look at those top LACs and see whether they will meet your full need or not. I know many LACs that provide financial aid to international stundets but won’t meet your full need. They will leave a big gap (ranging anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 per year) and expect you to somehow fill that in. And yeah, Johnny is right. You should also watch out for student loans as well. Some schools meet your need with big loans (private loans since you probably won’t be eligible for federal loans). Those loans will be huge burdens on your future. You have heard our opinions but only you know what is best for yourself. If you still wants to go that way then I wish you best luck and don’t forget to proceed with caution. Schools are, after all, businesses. There is no free lunch.</p>
<p>i was admitted to Colby Sawyer college. they gave me 35 000$ fin aid a year, not bad I guess. but still waiting for a response from other colleges. thank you for reply!</p>
<p>Congratz. Is the $35,000 all grants? What’s the annual cost of attendance? Did they meet your full-need? I actually haven’t heard about this LAC before but again, LACs tend to have smaller brand-names all the time :)</p>
<p>One last tip from me is that you should check with the Fin Aid Office to make sure that your fin aid package is renewable since many less-pretigious LACs are famous for giving hefty “lure-in” packages to students then reduce the package significantly and squeeze students’ pockets in the following years.</p>
<p>Ooh, that’s good advice, mixter. I hadn’t ever thought about that possibility- now I know yet another question I need to ask any of the schools I might get accepted to. Thanks!</p>
(I still roll my eyes at an ex-girlfriend who got a Biology degree from Cornell that cost around $100,000+ and is still paying off student loans as a Customer Service rep at a Harley dealership 6 years later. But at least she went to <em>Cornell!!</em> (lol))</p>