International Applicants

[chelios]

<p>Since the top colleges in the US have a minority of international students, the international students have a lower chance of getting in. I wonder how big the difference in the chances of a us citizen and an international applicant is.
I would appreciate it if someone would explain that
thank you</p>

[tagbanda]

<p>The difference is huge. The acceptance rate is far lower than that for domestic students and if you need aid, admission is almost like the lottery.</p>

[Northstarmom]

<p>The admission rate varies depending on the school and whether an international student needs need-based aid. I have never seen the rate published for any school.</p>

<p>However, I imagine that the international admission rate could be higher for full pay international students applying to private colleges that don’t have many international students.</p>

[GuiltyBystander]

<p>It also depends on which country: It is easier to get admitted for students from underrepresented countries like Lesotho and Papua New Guinea than applicants from China and India, since most colleges value diversity. </p>

<p>I do know that MIT, probably the most competitive college for international students (when financial aid isn’t taken in consideration), admits on average 3 percent of the international applicants. Generally, most internationals applicants are science-inclined, so this isn’t too surprising.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

[b_r_um]

<p>

The admission rate varies depending on the school and whether an international student needs need-based aid. I have never seen the rate published for any school.

The following the closest to an official statement that I have found on the international financial aid vs no financial aid debate:

@ColbyAdmissions

Financial aid for international students is <em>extremely</em> limited, especially given the number of applications (for admission and aid) that we receive from abroad. Roughly 1,000 students with international backgrounds applied for admission to the class of 2011 (a figure not uncommon for us nowadays), and in most years close to 90% of them apply for financial aid. We are able to fund a <em>total</em> of 8-10 students per year out of this group… and to further complicate the issue, all international transfer students also compete for these precious funds, as well.

[Welcome</a> New College Rep, ColbyAdmissions](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/4125501-post124.html]Welcome”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/4125501-post124.html)</p>

<p>Other than that, Petersons publishes the overall international admission rates for several colleges. It is interesting to compare the numbers for big schools vs small schools, prestigious vs unheard of, schools with and w/o financial aid for international students, etc.</p>

<p>[US</a> College Search for International Students](<a href=“http://www.petersons.com/acuus/code/psector.asp]US”>http://www.petersons.com/acuus/code/psector.asp)</p>