<p>I don't get it... most schools that I'm applying to say that they consider my socioeconomic status and sort of give me more leniency if I am poorer. But then I also hear that it is better to be richer as the colleges know you can pay the full cost of tuition, which means that they don't need to chip in money for aid. I am an international student BTW. So... is it better to be richer or poorer in the game of college admissions???</p>
<p>depends on the college</p>
<hr>
<p>If you’re international, then full pay opens doors. Having financial need for international practically closes all doors as far as US colleges go. Only a tiny few (under ten maybe) colleges have resources to assist needy international students. Because of the few number, many, many international students apply for the few available slots.</p>
<p>When you read that some college confer an advantage to high performing poor students, these are very few – and almost universally apply to US students. American universities’ first priority is to educate Americans – that’s how it goes.</p>
<p>At most (if not all) US schools, your chances are lowered if you’re an international needing aid.</p>
<p>However, the person above me who said that only under 10 colleges offer financial assistance, its simply not true. </p>
<p>Of course you have to be an outstanding applicant but check this website for colleges that offer aid. There are a lot. </p>
<p>[Schools</a> Awarding International Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.internationalstudent.com/schools_awarding_aid/]Schools”>Schools Awarding International Financial Aid)</p>
<p>If you can afford a little more than $20000 a year, try Bemidji State University or University of Minnesota Morris.</p>
<p>International students may get aid from the US but not necessarily from the university. There are many foundations (Kellogg comes to mind) that offer aid to the countries and the countries find the students to give it to (it helps if you have influential family or friends). The US government also gives billions in foreign aid and some of it ends up being used for scholarships to foreign students (through institutions in the receiving country and not directly from the US govt.). In any case, it’s very nice for a school to get full paying students no matter where they come from.</p>
<p>If you weren’t an international student, the answer would otherwise be easy, if by richer and poorer you mean rich or poor. To be upper or upper middle class opens up a lot of doors, such as ECs that cost money, anything that involves travel or even basic transportation, tutoring and test prep, better public or private schools, legacy or developmental admission, etc. Plus, there’s money. For poor students, not only is there the hurdle of getting in (especially without a better education and potentially without ECs or work instead of ECs and good grades), but there is the added hurdle of paying. HYPS may appear to “favor” low-income students in their admissions, but on the flip side, those schools are usually 10-17% Pell Grant recipients. However, 30-60% of the students don’t receive financial aid, putting their incomes in excess of $200,000.</p>