Hey guys! So I’m going to apply to the US this year, and will only go if I get enough financial aid.
I have always been on the high honors list in my school (which follows the cambridge A level curriculum) and when I say I need aid, I mean it, because I’ve been studying in my school ever since kindergarten on a full scholarship… and literally none of my family members are working at the moment. I got a 1430 on the SAT. Contemplating the SAT2. GPA probably equivalent to 4(we dont have a GPA system…)I think I’ve got decent ECAs (things that im passionate about,not awards) like theater and debate.
So i basically compiled this list of colleges based on the assumption that IF i get, I will get enough financial aid, as an international student. So can anybody look over my list and give me some tips on which colleges I should add, or remove, and maybe some local thoughts about these schools? I would be so grateful if you did.
Consider that and be sure to include your interests.
Also, your target-reach-safety scheme is kinda weird, and I’m not sure how you got it. Generally, I would say (although somebody else might shift around some of the schools in the match/reach segment):
High Matches/Low Reaches: Case Western, Reed, Richmond
Matches: Skidmore, Macalester, Bryn Mawr
Safeties: Illinois Wesleyan, Anges Scott, Trinity
Best of luck, and let us know if you have a topic preference. There might be some unique suggestions if you let us know about them.
If you need a lot of aid then every single school on your list is a reach because your ability to pay is going to be a factor in admissions. There is no school on your list that is both need blind to international students and meets 100% demonstrated need.
You need to go back through your list and check the financial aid policies at each school. While many schools on your list will meet 100% demonstrated need for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, they have limited funds for international students (meaning they will not meet 100% of your need)
yes i did already do that, and I specifically checked the average aid they gave to international students( which wasn’t 100%but it was good enough), and the no. of international students in their college…yes i understand that these are need aware schools, but i just want some less selective colleges which are likely to accept more internationals and aid them… i know its very hard to accomplish and to even be considered but i just want some colleges which arent picky and also provide generous aid… @sybbie719
Each college is required to compile crime statistics. They publish the reports on their websites. I don’t see much of a difference between crimes reported for Williams and Berea. Be aware there is ‘horrible stuff’ on every campus. You may want to take the time to read through the reports of the schools you are applying to so you have a better understanding of the policies and procedures schools implement to encourage students to report incidents.
@BuckeyeMWDSG i was using niche user reviews as a guide… and the berea one particularly shocked me…
should i drop niche as a reference site? and thank you for the tip, it sounds very time consuming, but i will try to do it.
@DadTwoGirls im from bangladesh, and I dont know at the moment, just few thousands (maybe 10k dollars in savings)
once my sister starts working again after finishing her MBA, i can probably get a clearer idea, but that would be after a year after the time i should be applying…
guys i know things look veeeeeeeeeeeery bleak but the thing is i can study in my own country, its just I’ve heard so much about education in the US,and the numerous opportunities it provides, that i just want to give it my best shot, because I have read about countless wonder-stories about extremely financially disadvantaged people getting a free ride in the US, so is it thaaaaat impossible for me to hope for generous aid, in a country with sooooooooooo many world class colleges?
also more info: i chose those particular colleges based on whether i am above or close to the 75th percentile SAT scores,so i thought that if i was better academically in that specific application pool, i’d have a better chance of getting accepted and hence aid, even though the college might not have a rep of being generous with aids to a LARGE number of students
As sybbie719 said – as an international student needing a lot of financial aid you ONLY have reaches. Sadly, there are so many international applicants who need money that admission/FA is like playing the lottery.
Absolutely, give it a shot. But keep in mind the enormous odds against you even at schools where you’re well above the 75th percentile.
Are you doing this all on your own, or do the people at your school have experience with getting their graduates into affordable colleges and universities in ither countries?
EducationUSA.state.gov is a good place for you to start. Use the search tool at that website to find the advising center closest to where you are.
I’m doing it all on my own, our school does have experience, but they just help mostly with mailing stuff and getting recommendation letters, not the actual ‘guidance’ process. Most agencies that have come to our school don’t actually provide much help, they just paint a good picture of the American dream, but almost never go the extra mile to help somebody out. Also our school is kind of a school filled with kids from upper class families, so not many people face the financial situation that I’m in. Plus whatever they’ve said, it’s nothing that I don’t already know. And thanks everyone, but I found out today that 3 students from our school got into Smith with almost a full ride, and now I can ask them for details and stuff, since I’m applying to Smith ED. @happymomof1
