<p>What are the chances of admission for a previously rejected international student with high financial need?</p>
<p>I applied for the Fall 2013 term but was rejected, and many people thought that is was because of my high financial need (I need at least $50k to attend).</p>
<p>I have done things to improve my previously application: improved my essay, my SAT score, better recs, and done a variety of ECs.</p>
<p>However I don't know if my chances will still be the same if I have the same need, and I don't want to spend $50 on an application that will surely turn out into a rejection.</p>
<p>A brief summary of my stats:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.9
Rank: 3/64
SAT: 2090 (690 CR, 750 M, 650 W)</p>
<p>I completed the IB Diploma Programme. Was the second highest score of my school.</p>
<p>Country: El Salvador</p>
<p>Thanks for your help</p>
<p>Not good. As a match academically apply to Grinnell as they have very generous financial aid as do the Ivies which are also major reaches, but you could try Cornell. Also consider Clarkson, St. Lawrence, as safeties, and maybe Oberlin, Wesleyan and Vassar if you are comfortable with a more liberal climate . You sound great and need to use your minority status to get a foot in the door.</p>
<p>The problem is I have not done the SAT Subject Tests and as far as my knowledge goes, Cornell, Vassar and Wesleyan asks for subject tests. </p>
<p>I also applied for St. Lawrence last year and I was rejected.</p>
<p>I am applying to Grinnell and Oberlin. The thing about Grinnell is that it is on a remote location… That’s the only thing I don’t like about it. I applied ED2 there but I still have doubts about this.</p>
<p>So my chances for Trinity are practically zero?</p>
<p>Never say zero, but if ones chances are remote, why focus on that option?</p>
<p>Oh I’m not saying I will only apply to Trinity. I was considering it one of my options, but I wanted to ask opinions so I don’t spend the application fees concerned (sat and toefl score reports + css profile) which is getting a little expensive for me.</p>
<p>Unless you are from one of the specific world regions eligible for “Special Scholarships”, Grinnell does not promise to meet your need. Keep that in mind. (And if you are, why are you applying ED 2? They write on their website that they want to consider the whole pool before making those scholarship decisions.) Also, as an international student seeking a lot of aid, you should not make first-world considerations (location, semester vs quarter system etc). Take what you get. These are all very fine schools. </p>
<p>You probably applied RD last year, correct? It is my understanding that Trin Coll is significantly easier to get into as an intl seeking aid if you apply ED. This I learned from students who attend the school. If you can, convert your ED app to Grinnell to RD and ED 2 to Trinity. Last year’s rejection was nothing personal; Trinity just doesn’t have much money left over in RD.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Oh I tried getting to talk with Grinnell and tell them to move my app to RD but they insist it’s the same if I apply ED2 to RD.</p>
<p>This is what they sent me:
"Hi Guillermo,</p>
<p>Thanks for your message and interest in Grinnell. We are actually able to package admitted students the same way in ED as we would in RD, so there would be no financial disadvantage to applying ED2 if you choose. If you are not admitted or do not receive sufficient aid, then you would still be able to apply RD to other schools, which is often a benefit. Grinnell does have a need-aware international admission policy."</p>
<p>I applied ED2 because someone told me that internationals with high need should apply ED, but now I am confused. If I insist on Grinnell that I want to apply RD they might think I’m not really interested on their school and might probably reject me. </p>
<p>This really sucks =/</p>
<p>Clearly the person who responded does not understand the policy for international students who are eligible for special scholarships. Get in touch with international admissions and clarify your interest in the special scholarships. There is a specific email for intl students, which I don’t have atm.</p>
<p>Oh wow thanks for telling me that in advance! I’ll contact the international admission team and tell them my situation. </p>
<p>And don’t get me wrong. I am interested in applying to Grinnell, really. From all my choices, Grinnell is the best, academically talking. I was just concerned about the location because I do not wish to be a bookish dude who spends most of his time studying, 24/7. I also wish to have friends and an active social life, which is why I got kind of anxious because Grinnell’s location, but I’m sure I can make myself a good life if I propose it, regardless of the location.</p>
<p>And about applying EDII to Trinity… I’m not really sure. I got rejected last year and I still think that will hurt my chances for admission this year. I was thinking of applying EDII to Colorado College, which is also one of my top choices, along with Grinnell.</p>
<p>Believe me, if you apply ED2 to Trinity, there is a fat chance that you will be accepted and your need will be fully met. Under no circumstances will last year’s rejection have a negative impact on your application this year. Trinity would be rather pleased to know that you love the school enough to even bother to reapply. Plus you improved your SAT, ECs and so forth, thus there is no need to be so prudent. As an aside, the acceptance rate for internationals with high needs who are applying RD is almost 0. There is no official statement from the school (of course!) but believe me from what I have seen this is true.</p>
<p>Honestly speaking Grinnell is a better school in terms of academics. However the town of Grinnell, Iowa can not afford you all the fun that Hartford and West Hartford (which is 15 minutes away) easily can. From what I heard the only thing you see when you step out of campus are gigantic corn fields. And the social scenes are no that “fun” either. I have no intention of badmouthing Grinnell, but it seems you already know its reputation quite well. This is the main reason why I did not apply to Grinnell. I am no nerd either. </p>
<p>I don’t know much about CC apart from its block plan. Also heard Colorado Springs is kind of expensive, but really no idea. Life in the Midwest does not sound very enticing also, especially when I’m so used to living 2 hours away from both NYC and Boston. Just hop on any bus to new york in the morning and come back later at night. Sometimes it only costs like 5 dollars for a oneway ticket. DC, Philadelphia are very accessible as well. Living in New England definitely has its perks :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>Of course, there is no single college or university in the world that is 100% perfect. It’s a matter of likes.</p>
<p>I agree with you. Grinnell is the best of my choices, academically talking. They sure prepare you for a job and grad school. However, I agree, there is not much to do off-campus, socially talking. But I have heard from many people that the campus is really active. There are ocassionally parties and the college really tries to make up for its remote location. They host really cool events once in a while, and they are known for their community service, which is something I like.</p>
<p>I haven’t heard anything from Colorado Springs. It’s a city, so I can have a social life off-campus. I also don’t know about life in the midwest, but they are known for doing many wild-like activities! (Rowing, Hiking, Camping, etc) and that’s something I have the curiosity of trying. They also have the Block Plan which sounds pretty original and I would love to try that too! </p>
<p>Trinity has it’s bad things too from what I’ve heard, which is also why I’m kind of afraid to apply ED2 there since it’s binding.
I’ve heard the zone it is located it’s not entirely safe. Trinity also has a bad reputation of having a BIG preppy culture (almost no diversity and many spoiled kids), which I have heard from many reviews on the internet. I went to a private, rich high school (although I’m not rich, I received a scholarship) and I really hate that preppy culture. I’m not white either so I don’t know if I’ll face rejection by the students.
But trinity also has good academics, and they say it’s facilities are amazing, and that Hartford has much to offer.</p>
<p>There are seriously many factors to consider and it’s really hard to decide for one.</p>
<p>Okay, listen, dude. Do not, I repeat, do not account for the location as an international student who needs aid. I suspect that you cannot, as I know I cannot, afford to live in cities like New York and Boston. Do you know how much money you will spend in a city? Trust me, people think these locations are amazing, but it’s ALWAYS, ALWAYS better, as a poor international student, to go to college in the middle of nowhere. This is especially so because these colleges actively create lots of things to do for their students (loads of free stuff). I know kids at Grinnell. They tell me they never want to go out of campus, even though Chicago is not that far. There is so much to do on campus that you will not be able to do it all.</p>
<p>Yes, Grinnell is rigorous. Very rigorous. But Grinnell students do have a social life. You just have to find a balance. It’s not that you don’t have to study at Trinity or anything… Trinity is a little less rigorous, of course, but you will still have to study. So don’t be afraid of what you hear about the academics because you will have to study wherever you go.</p>
<p>Your chances at Trinity in RD is, like mrbaby43 said, is ZERO: they just don’t have the money. I recommend that you either apply ED 2 or not apply at all.</p>
<p>Thats true. Most cities are very expensive, but Hartford is kind of cheap actually. I think we all know why so no need for me to explain. About safety, as long as you don’t walk alone at midnight then you’re gonna be fine. I think it is common sense that one should not walking on his own too late at night. This applies to all cities, not just Hartford. I dont know why people keep making a fuss over it. Of course its safer to live in the middle of nowhere like oklahoma or iowa. If you really want the best of both worlds, I suggest moving to canada. </p>
<p>One more thing. I believe that the rigor of your education is indeed of your own making, not other’s. Just like in high school you can take AP IB in lieu of normal classes. Same thing in college. Take some high level classes. I have seen some freshmen taking 300-level and seniors take 100 just to get enough credits to graduate. If you want to be challenged, step out of your comfort zone. Isn’t that the point of going to college? I took a poly sci class the second semester of my freshman year with all seniors and juniors, most of whom majored in poly sci themselves. For them the class was quite easy, but I did not share the same general idea ofc. I had to work really hard, started learning from scratch since I had no background in this subject at all. Even though I still got an A in the end (my 20 page research paper kind of rocked haha) it was the most “strenuous” A I have ever earned in my life :)</p>
<p>Judging by your profile I can say you are pretty average in comparison with most international students at Trin. I am sure you will find a lot of exceptional young men and women here who can easily inspire you. Trinity may have fewer students who are serious about studying than Grinnell, but the top students at Trin are by no means less extraordinary than their Grinnellian counterparts. Thats all that matters to me, for I normally dont give much thought to how the remaining average students are doing. </p>
<p>That said, Trinity is super preppy. Some people say its the preppiest school in New England. I am not white but I adore the way preps look. There is nothing wrong with dressing up nicely before going out. Just a nice polo shirt and some short shorts or a pair khaki pants will do the trick. Thats a matter of personal tastes so theres nothing much to talk about. Just that if you hate preppy culture then Trinity is definitely not for you. Same for most other new england top colleges.</p>
<p>gluck with grinnell or cc or whatver school you are applying to.</p>
<p>Thanks both of you!</p>
<p>So since I’m an average student, it is indeed true that my chanes for RD are actually zero 
This just sucks because Trinity is one of my options, but it’s not my top option.
It’s considered a top liberal arts college, and I know that I’m going to learn a lot in it if I go. All the colleges I’m applying too are academically good, but there are factors that led me to consider which ones are my top choices.</p>
<p>Anyone has a review of Colorado Springs? </p>
<p>Hartford looks like a nice place to live for me, but since I have not been there, I can just base my opinion solely on the reviews that people make on the internet. People like you say it’s fine and good, but some others say Hartford is really bad, so it’s hard for me to just decide for one side of the argument. </p>
<p>Also, does preppy means to the way of dressing? I really don’t mind that if that’s it.
My idea of preppy was a culture of spoiled, wealthy kids who are presumptious and like to show everyone that they are rich, and that if you don’t have money, you can’t relate to them. That was my idea of preppy, because if Trinity is actually like that, then I would be better not applying to it despite it’s good academics and faculties. </p>
<p>Either way I need to decide between CC or Trinity for ED2, but I first have to change my application from ED2 to RD on Grinnell, since according to a person here I should apply RD to Grinnell if I’m in a high need.
They haven’t replied to me sadly… I will give them a call and ask them myself if I don’t get an answer today.</p>
<p>Hartford is good or bad depends on where you come from. If you’re from NYC, Boston or any suburb in Mass or Conn (except New Haven ofc lol) Hartford is ultra dangerous, or to put it in your words, really really bad. Otherwise it would be pretty normal for a kinda big city, just like new haven or philly. Since most Trin students come from wealthy families in New England or the northeast, Hartford’s location and atmosphere would unsurprisingly be rated as “unsavory.” So you have to ask yourself the important question of, Can I adapt? I don’t know El Salvador and certainly don’t know you so I’m of no help in this matter. </p>
<p>As I said earlier, I do not know you personally so I can only judge you by your scores. Most students from my country got > 2150 on the SAT, with a few > 2250. Almost all of us went to the best high school in our country (acceptance rate < 8%) thus the workload should be tantamount to that of IB. Don’t get me wrong. You are still an exceptional student. Any school would be lucky to have you. But I doubt it that Trinity would go to great lengths to recruit you, an international student applying RD who also needs an astronomical amount of aid. </p>
<p>Most Trin students are very wealthy, that much is true. Around 60% don’t need any kind of aid. So, to put it simply, suppose that you are rich, to whom would you brag about your money? To your roommate who is from Greenwich? Or to your acquaintance you just met who lives in a pent house in Manhattan? Being rich here is a norm, so where is the incentive to show off? When I first came here, I thought the same too. But after a while I have come to realize that people always have a kind of prejudice in mind, always think that the rich loves to flaunt their possessions. But it’s wrong. Believe me, because I am not rich either.</p>
<p>Of course Trinity has its fair share of ******bags. There is no denying. But you will fit in just fine if you are not super nerdy and aint afraid to have fun sometimes. Go talk to people. Don’t expect them to talk to you first. This is new england for god’s sake. People here don’t say hi to strangers on the streets like Westerners do. </p>
<p>Trinity’s ranking is pretty low, mostly due to its location and the frat scenes. Yes we drink a lot. Every weekend without fail. If you don’t like that, Trinity is not your best choice I suppose. And if you think you might be unhappy, why take a chance? Just go to any school you think you can fit in the best. Spare yourself the trouble of transferring after 2 years.</p>