<p>I'm an international student and I'm deeply interested in applying to Caltech. I have special zeal for Physics so Caltech is the place of worship in my heart. But there is a big big problem. I'm going to seek financial aid as an international student. And the sum is also large( $ 35000). I've long heard that it is extremely hard to get into Caltech with the application for financial aid that makes it impossible. But I really want to have the chance to get into Caltech. Will the application for financial aid kill my chance?</p>
<p>I'd like to know too - but I'm a recipient of a large competitive scholarship, so I need a substantially smaller sum. Ultimately, I decided to apply with no mention of aid whatsoever - I'll list the merit schol as an award, and shall repay my mother and a friend for the loans they'll be taking to fend for me. I really wish that didn't have to happen. Does it?</p>
<p>At least when I worked with admissions, applying for aid as an international did hurt your chances. It does not kill them, but it makes it harder to get in. This is perhaps my least favorite of all Caltech's policies, but it is a complicated issue and I don't claim to understand all the details.</p>
<p>Far as I understand, the funds for international student financial aid are limited because some sources of financial aid cannot be spent of foreign students. Ben is right: if you're international, they do get to see whether you requested financial aid or not. But you <em>can</em> get in if you apply for financial aid. Unlike some other schools, Caltech does have money to give financial aid to international students, even if it is limited.</p>
<p>does applying for financial aid lower ones chances of gettin in?</p>
<p>it somewhat does..</p>