<p>From what I've read on the Olin website, it appears that -no- aid is available for international students. As much as Olin appeals, the lack of aid for internationals as well as the mandatory campus visit are major turn-offs.</p>
<p>Can any internationals/students confirm/share about:
-No international FA at all?
-Campus visit?</p>
<p>I am an alumni, not an international one either. I’m not sure about extra money beyond the full-tution scholarship that every one gets. However, about the campus visit. You do not have to visit campus prior to candidate’s weekend. I didn’t visit campus, many students cannot. But if you get invited to participate in candidates weekend in the spring, you do need to visit campus then. I’m not sure of the amount but in the past Olin has provided a small amount of money to help cover travel costs. It is absolutely essential that you go to a candidate weekend if you are invited. That is how Olin figures out who would be a good fit and how the candidates get a real feel for Olin life and community.</p>
<p>Back to the aid, Olin does provide need based aid to people who the FASA says need aid. (The FASA US form determining in theory what you and your parents can afford and what is beyond your meanas). I’m not sure what they do for international students but if you contact the admissions office, they could explain it to you.</p>
<p>All students receive the full-tuition scholarship regardless of nationality (or need, which is largely determined by family income). I think additional need-base aid is also offered for all students for room/board/travel, but you should contact admissions to confirm this. You can get reimbursed up to $1000 (this number may have risen) for travel expenses to attend Olin’s mandatory Candidate’s Weekend if you live outside of North America.</p>
<p>fiona-</p>
<p>As outlined on our website, there is no need-based financial aid available for non-US citizens since we use the [url=<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/]FAFSA[/url”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/]FAFSA[/url</a>] to determine need and only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible. However, every student admitted to Olin, regardless of income or citizenship, receives the full-tuition scholarship which is valued at over $140,000.</p>
<p>And as for Candidates’ Weekends (the “mandatory visit” noted in your post), they are a required and important aspect of our application process - the second step of a 2-part admission process - but not everyone makes it to that point; only 190 students are invited. So, yes, <em>if</em> you are selected as a Candidate, then the expectation is that you will attend one of the two weekends.</p>
<p>Given that attendance at a Candidates’ Weekend is necessary for admission to Olin, it is only fair that we help subsidize the visit - we offer all Candidates a travel subsidy based on their distance from Olin. Last year, the subsidy for students traveling from overseas was $750. No, it doesn’t cover all of the expenses related to traveling to Olin for Candidates’ Weekend, but we do think it’s important to help defray some of the cost. Think of it as an investment… yes, we are asking you to “invest” some time and money to attend Candidates’ Weekends, but the payoff or “return on your investment” could be admission to Olin and four year of college with no tuition to pay!</p>
<p>Hope that clarifies things a bit,
Allison</p>
<p>I think attendance at Olin’s Candidates’ Weekend is critical, beyond the fact that it is mandatory. </p>
<p>A student really can’t understand Olin without experiencing it. </p>
<p>If that makes it a turn-off for someone, then they really shouldn’t apply.</p>