<p>Hi! So I am trying really hard to search for colleges, but being an international student (from Norway) I find it really hard. </p>
<p>What I am looking for:
- School size is not that important, but not to small. (I feel like 5000 students is a minimum, but its probably the least important factor).
- I want it to be a diverse and artsy college. With theater kids and stuff. Its that kind of people I want to be around(though I'm not gonna be an art student myself (I will probably major in communication - journalism and minor in political science.)). <- Most important!
- I want to go to the East Coast. New York would be a terrific location but not a must (but I would like it to be within a few hours reach.)
- Campus life is REALLY important to me. I want to go to a college with an active campus.
- School spirit and pride
- People party and have fun. </p>
<p>I'm gonna be a transfer and will start my sophomore year, and will live in a dorm at least my first year attending.
I am Christian but religious affiliations to the school isn't really important.. and I want the college to have a liberal approach (gay friendly, and not suuuuuper dry)</p>
<p>My credentials is nothing fancy. So don't recommended the best schools with most selective admission. I'm an completely average student. Will probably graduate my college year here at ACN (american college in norway working with uni of North dakota) with a 3.5 or something.</p>
<p>Anyone? I’m really desperate!</p>
<p>Emerson in Boston? May be too small for you. But has theater, communications, journalism, political science I think.</p>
<p>How about a CUNY or SUNY?</p>
<p>Maybe Fordham?</p>
<p>What is your budget? how much will your family pay?</p>
<p>We have really really good financial support for abroad studying in Norway. My parents wont be paying much… I’m trying to to stay below 25K but I’ve talked it over with my parents so I can do up to around 30 for tuition and 10 for room & board. But that is a reach. </p>
<p>Norway isn’t really affected by the economy either and after studying abroad I’ll be eligible for a lot of decent jobs here at home to pay of loans at a quick pace (which wont be much because I get 60% of any tuition + room & board below 40K in scholarship and the loan is interest free)</p>
<p>Can you clarify…</p>
<p>Will you just be doing a year abroad here…or will you be transferring here for a few years and graduate here?</p>
<p>If you haven’t already done so, you should read through everything here: [EducationUSA</a> | Study Abroad, Student Visa, University Fairs, College Applications and Study in the U.S. / America](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/) Then you should make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to you: [EducationUSA</a> - Find an Advising Center](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/Norway#.TwUmejVrOeM]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/Norway#.TwUmejVrOeM) These counselors are expert at helping students in your country find good places to study in the US. You do not have to do this all on your own.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>Sarah Lawrence wouldn’t work without a significant scholarship because tuition alone is more than Victorialie’s total budget. Cost of Attendance at SLC for 2012-2013 will be well over US$60,000.</p>
<p>Why not Univ. of North Dakota, it is within your budget and they know you already. I know it is not New York or East Coast. I am not sure the COA but thought Syracuse is good in Communications.</p>
<p>*I’m trying to to stay below 25K but I’ve talked it over with my parents so I can do up to around 30 for tuition and 10 for room & board. But that is a reach.
*</p>
<p>As an int’l student, you’ll also have to show that you have funds for: insurance (about $1k), personal expenses ($2-3k) and international travel (another $1-2k). this is in addition to tuition, fees, room, board, and books.</p>
<p>You have to show that you have all those funds (in advance) in order to get your visa to come here.</p>
<p>If you have a total budget of $40k per year (and that’s a REACH), then you have to subtract $5k for those above-listed expenses. That leaves you with about $35k for tuition, fees, room, board, and books. (at some schools, fees can be well over 1000 per year).</p>
<p>I think you’re going to be limited to schools like the SUNYs and CUNYs since you want to be near NYC. But, I don’t know how much “school spirit” those schools have.</p>
<p>If you’d be open to areas that aren’t near NYC, you’d probably have a lot more choices that would include the rest of your interests. Schools in the NE tend to be pricier…except for the SUNY/CUNYs.</p>
<p>Its not a one-year abroad. I will transfer as a sophomore and finish my undergraduate in the U.S.
As for the extra expenses you mentioned: Norways financial aid also grants me 2600$ for travel. And my mom and dad will help… they are just not my main finical aid.
I am certainly open to schools outside NY(!), it is just a preference. I probably should have clarified that. </p>
<p>As for why not UND - A lot Norwegian students are going there, particularly my fellow students - and I want my abroad experience to be independent and something I do on my own… It sounds weird… I can’t really explain it. I am also afraid to get caught up in a Norwegian bobble when I go with so many Norwegians I already know.
I’ve looked at SL and yes, it is not within my budget.</p>
<p>I looked into New Paltz. Which seems interesting! But the high % of new yorkers scare me a little. Is it a commuter school? Will I, as not only a transfer but international feel out of place not being an in state student? </p>
<p>Anyone got any experience with New Paltz?</p>
<p>I can understand your concern if many kids are instate and are either commuters or “suitcase” students (go home on weekends).</p>
<p>If you want to go to a school that is within budget and will have many kids staying on campus during the year, then you need to look outside the NE area. The NE area schools will likely either be too expensive or will have too many commuters/suitcase students.</p>
<p>*- School size is not that important, but not to small. (I feel like 5000 students is a minimum, but its probably the least important factor).
- I want it to be a diverse and artsy college. With theater kids and stuff. Its that kind of people I want to be around(though I’m not gonna be an art student myself (I will probably major in communication - journalism and minor in political science.)). <- Most important!
- I want to go to the East Coast. New York would be a terrific location but not a must (but I would like it to be within a few hours reach.)
- Campus life is REALLY important to me. I want to go to a college with an active campus.
- School spirit and pride
- People party and have fun.
- and I want the college to have a liberal approach (gay friendly, and not suuuuuper dry)</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>What are you willing to give up? East Coast? Liberal approach? (whatever that means - most schools are at least middle of the road or liberal)</p>
<p>As for “gay friendly”…most schools don’t care if you’re gay or straight. Most schools have clubs for gay/trans/whatever. So, what is your definition of “gay friendly”?</p>
<p>The gay friendly thing really isn’t an issue, I’m not gay myself but I have grown up in a country where LGBT is not an issue at all and from what I understand its a pretty hot topic in the U.S… All I meant with that is that I couldn’t handle going about every day in a school environment that fosters a ‘being gay is wrong’ attitude. I can def. give up east coast for the good college experience (thats basically what I want: The College Experience). I’ve just always had a thing for the east coast and can see myself there, unlike the southern states (that being said: I’m basing all this off stereotypes ect. seeing as I’ve only ever been to the U.S once, which was a holiday in California).</p>