<p>Something I am wondering about…the comment that the student would need to work for spending money. Is that something international students are allowed to do?</p>
<p>boysx3 -</p>
<p>International students can work part-time for spending money. There are restrictions on the number of hours, and the location of the job, but if the school knows in advance that this will be necessary for her, it is entirely possible to arrange.</p>
<p>Thanks happymom–I knew I had read something about some restrictions, but I am not sure what they are–this might have had an effect on the OP’s options, if one school was in a more affordable area than another, or, as you noted, if one school was more willing to set up an opportunity for her.</p>
<p>It felt to me as if Wofford had a fairly strong “United Methodist Church” vibe to it. That might be something she’d appreciate. </p>
<p>I didn’t realize how common fraternity/sorority membership is there. The Greek students don’t live in fraternity or sorority houses so it is less noticeable.</p>
<p>I think the OP’s post is missing some information that would be helpful in making a decision. </p>
<p>First, did this young woman take SAT IIs, AP, IB, “A levels,” or similar tests? If so, how did she do on them? I ask because it might be helpful to assess them in determining whether going to a US college will be an academic stretch for her… or not. </p>
<p>Second, other than attend church, what does this young woman enjoy doing? It is my opinion that ECs are often the gateway to friendships. It may be that she would have a better chance of getting to do some of the things she enjoys doing at some schools than at others. For example, does she play any sports? I’m not assuming she’s a varsity athlete. But if she loves to play, e.g., table tennis/ping pong and one school has a competitive club and the others don’t, as silly as I may “sound,” that’s a reason to pick it. If she sings in the church choir and has a good voice, then maybe she would enjoy a school with a Gospel choir–but find out if it’s funded or you have to pay to go on trips. If she enjoys swimming, look for a school with intramural swimming teams. If she plays the piano, look for a school where non-music majors have access to practice rooms with pianos. </p>
<p>How much of a culture shock is the US going to be for her? Will she freak out if she’s assigned to a co-ed dorm? If so, look for a school with a good single sex dorm. If our food will seem terrible to her, which schools offer access to a kitchen where she can cook for herself? </p>
<p>Finally, I agree that finding out what support the schools offer for internationals is crucial. Do the dorms close for Thanksgiving? For Christmas? What happens to internationals if they do? Does someone organize events for the students left on campus if they are allowed to stay? Does the international students association organize social events? </p>
<p>I know that the young woman has limited internet access, but perhaps the OP can help by finding out these things for her.</p>
<p>I don’t go to any of the schools listed, but I am an international student in the US - just jumping in on the restrictions on an F-1 student visa, based on my experiences at my own college: you can work part time, only on campus, for a maximum number of hours per week (I can’t remember whether it’s 12 or 20, I’m sorry!). Work on campus during breaks or J-term sometimes doesn’t have to stay under this limit, but that may just be my school - I would check with the individual institutions.</p>
<p>Jonri, she will be taking her SAT and TOEFL in the fall and is currently studying for them (I sent her the book of prior SAT tests from the College Board - which, remarkably given the mail system, she received!)</p>
<p>Since her school has no sports facilities - they just don’t have the money for it - I don’t know whether she has any interest in athletics. I visited the school and didn’t see so much as a volley ball net. Ditto anything involving art or musical instruments. Or clubs. This is not an elite private school and her personal circumstances at home would definitely not have given her any exposure. Which means, yes, it’s going to be a big culture shock. The mere idea of a cafeteria will floor her. (Spouse, who came as a foreigh grad student, couldn’t get over the unlimited soft drink dispenser…still talks about it 30 years later.) And so will co-ed dorms.</p>
<p>But again, this is a young woman of exceptional smarts and determination. Sounds like Hendrix might be an especially good fit. (It’s a school I know a bit about and it’s got a great reputation). Washington & Lee is a long drive (but still doable) from us, so that’s an option, but it sounds very fratty and preppy. I was wondering if the Univ. of Arkansas schools might not be better options.</p>
<p>And yes, I plan to do a fair amount of internet research on these schools and am just hoping for some extra insights from CC-ers.</p>
<p>Does she have an idea of what she wants to major in? </p>
<p>I’ve known a number of international students from developing countries, students who are planning to return home after graduation, who are interested in Ag-school related fields–food science, food production, animal sciences, agricultural economics, agronomy and so on. If that is the case with your friend, a flagship university like Univ. of Ark–Fayetteville might be the best bet. Since U Ark offers in-state tuition to residents of five neighboring states as long as their ACT scores are above 25 (or so), there are a fair number of students from neighboring states. The northwest part of Arkansas (aka NWA) is affluent and full of people from across the US, since it is the headquarters of the WalMart corp, and WalMart requires their major suppliers to have business centers in NWA. Fayetteville is a pretty nice college town, and the campus is quite lovely (hilly, nice views). I’ve been on the campus several times over the last few years, and casual observation leads me to think the univ. has been increasing its international initiatives, although it may be primarily at the graduate student level (just guessing).</p>
<p>If she is interested in business studies, the B-school at U of Ark is well-funded and I understand it ranks rather highly for its undergraduate business program. Again, I think Walton family money is involved. </p>
<p>If she in interested in education, she should take a close look at the U of Ark program. I’m pretty sure it is a five-year combined BA/MA program. Students with considerable advanced standing can do it in four, but they may not be the case with your friend. Would the scholarship cover the whole program, if that is her plan? (And I may be wrong here; I’m basing this on conversations with a couple of friends whose kids have done the five-year program.)</p>
<p>Nothing to add, but best of luck to this young woman … and brava!</p>
<p>Another voice for Spelman, Atlanta is definitely no bucolic small town, but a small school with a supportive, women-centric atmosphere, might help her a lot in making friends and getting adjusted to a new culture.</p>
<p>I also agree with Spelman who also has an extensive exchange program specifically with Bryn Mawr, Barnard, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Wellesley, Washington & Lee.</p>
<p>[Spelman</a> College: Off-Campus Programs](<a href=“http://www.spelman.edu/academics/offcampus/international/index.shtml]Spelman”>http://www.spelman.edu/academics/offcampus/international/index.shtml)</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. She’s interested in the sciences and the scholarship is explicitly for top science students. She says medicine, but I suspect she has no idea what the other options might be - or whether there is any employment in other fields back in her home country, to which she is legally obligated to return for a certain number of years after finishing her undergraduate degree. Nevertheless, I’m looking for schools that are strong in biology, chemistry, math and physics. I suspect agriculture is not an interest - although, who knows - environmental science or resource mgt. are probably fields she knows little about, but will hopefully discover once here.</p>
<p>I just want to say, M’s Mom, that what you’re doing is fabulous. Best, best of luck to this young woman - and major kudos to you.</p>