International student and matches?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey everyone!</p>

<p>I'm actually looking for 'safeties', but I've heard that as an international I can't really consider anything a safety, so I suppose I'm asking for schools that I am very likely to get into, as well as schools that would be a match...</p>

<p>Specific criteria? Well, I'm not being too picky; again, I'm aware that I don't have a large number of options but in any case - preferably urban, not too huge (not 15/20,000+), undergrad focus etc., I would LOVE to have research opportunities.</p>

<p>I want to major in neuroscience so strong sciences and psychology programs would be good. It would be nice if a school was strong in arts or humanities classes too (more interested in the humanities).</p>

<p>SAT: 2340</p>

<p>IB: (predicted) HLs: 7, 7, 7
SLs: 7, 7, 6</p>

<p>Umm, essays should be pretty good because I write relatively well, but probably nothing brilliant. Recommendations should also be good.</p>

<p>FINANCIAL AND MERIT AID:
I would really, really prefer to get financial aid (...yes. I know the odds). I'm applying to UMichigan EA and not applying for aid, and hoping that I get in. But with other schools, I would like to apply for financial aid, especially any safety style schools that may not get lots of int'l students. I don't need a lot of aid, but 50k a year is quite steep.</p>

<p>Merit: this is my biggest option right now, on account of the SAT scores and high predicted grades. Are there any schools where I'm likely to get merit scholarships?</p>

<p>OH and - I'm a Canadian citizen, spent my childhood in Hong Kong and then Dubai (approx half my life in each). Would I be considered with the Canadian applicants, or the ones from UAE? And is it a plus if I write about my background (I also have Indian and African roots), or is this seen too often?</p>

<p>Thank you in advance!</p>

2

<p>Yes, you would be considered a Canadian applicant. Yes, you should write about your background, at least a bit: it’s what makes you interesting. </p>

<p>I’m puzzled by what you write about financial aid: you’re willing to pay $50k for UMichigan, but not for other schools? What about other very good public schools - such as Berkeley, or University of Virginia? They’re about the same size as Michigan and as good, if not better.</p>

<p>Also, don’t forget that financial aid is often based on NEED: if your parents make over a certain amount, you won’t qualify. You should be looking at schools that offer ‘merit aid’. </p>

<p>Also, consider posting this on the international students forum. </p>

<p>Right off the bat, I’ll suggest Northeastern University in Boston which can be generous with financial aid for high achieving kids with regional diversity - and offers plenty of research opportunities through its co-op program.</p>

3

<p>You have no safeties here other than those institutions that admit entirely by the numbers, and that your family can afford without any aid at all. So find out your parents’ financial limits. And do remember that if the visa officer does not believe that you can afford the place where you have been admitted, you won’t get a student visa.</p>

<p>As an international applicant, if you are full pay, what would be an admissions match for a US applicant will be a reach for you, and what would be a safety, will be a match. It really is that much harder even for full pay internationals.</p>

<p>You should take a good long look at the universities in Canada. They are significantly less expensive than their peer institutions in the US, and as a Canadian citizen, they will be even cheaper for you. Not to mention that there will be no visa issues when you look for an internship or a job.</p>

4

<p>Canadian universities are very good and you should seriously consider them but if you have your heart set on the US, take a look at the smaller <a href=“http://theaitu.org%5B/url%5D”>http://theaitu.org</a> schools. Many of them are urban and give reasonable financial aid to international students.</p>

5

<p>Your background would be considered very interesting at some schools, such as Macalester or Middlebury, where international experience and knowledge of other languages/cultures are highly valued.
Check out U Rochester and, for a safety and research experience in the sciences, UMN-Rochester with the Mayo Clinic.
(There are other out there, other posters may have suggestions).</p>