<p>I am in a confusion right now since I want to apply to Occidental College (it is a reach school).. but the cost is really high $39k.. and it is not known internationally... I dont know whether if I get in.. my parents will allow me to go there especially because of the reputation.. If I do get in, I am afraid that my parents cannot pay for 4 years.. (they say that if u want to apply, just apply, but u must be ready to transfer to other cheaper school if we suddenly cant afford it) do you think it is better for me to choose bigger state school to replace Occidental college? such as U of Georgia, University of illinois (chicago)? </p>
<p>My stats is quite weak (international)
SAT (highest composite): 1260
GPA (W): 3.92 (I dont know the UW, but it will be quite low.. 3.3 / 3.4?)
IB Diploma candidate + 2 AP courses
Decent ECs (nothing special)</p>
<p>I visited Oxy and really liked it. pretty campus, friendly kids, accommodating faculty. Perhaps you could get work study? They are very active with community activities. Is there a special reason you focused on Oxy?</p>
<p>I know if I get financial aid.. getting into oxy will be much harder :( and I think international student cannot get work study.. Hm.. I never visit oxy before (since I am living in Indonesia).. but I have heard about Oxy by reading books (fiske, princetonreview, counsellor, etc) first of all.. it has strong economics program (in rugg's recommendation book), small teacher: student ratio (professors dedicated to undergraduate), it is in LA (the nearest city from my country), it is diverse compared to other liberal arts colleges (lots of internationals), and students who attend there say that it is very good (studentsreview).. so what do you think bookworm.. should I still apply to Oxy?</p>
<p>Ledyana, There are a few things about Oxy that you said that are a bit off. First, there are not lots of internationals at Oxy - only 3% of last year's entering class of 497 students were international. Not bad for a small liberal arts school, but no where near the number you'll find at many larger universities or even some other liberal arts schools. It is true that Oxy is very racially diverse, however. </p>
<p>Second, Oxy does offer work study to international students - however, as at most schools, it is going to be limited and won't be enough to pay for full tuition. </p>
<p>Finally, I don't want to discourage you, but your stats will probably make Oxy a bit of a reach for you --- they say on their web site that they typically only accept about 10% of international applicants and your stats are towards the low end of their average. </p>
<p>With all of that in mind, I think you should give Oxy a shot and worry about whether to attend after you find out whether you've been accepted. In the mean time, keep thinking about some other schools that might fit your needs and be similar to Oxy in feel as well as applying to some of the larger state universities. Two suggestions: the College of Wooster in Ohio and Lawrence University in Wisconsin.</p>
<p>I am applying to wooster and is working on the common apps rite now.. the problem is that my school only allow me to apply to 8 schools max... and I need to choose whether to throw away occidental and take another cheaper school.. or just take Occidental even though it is a reach for me and it costs really expensive.. I know that I am in the low range... but I need to convince my parents so that they will allow me to go to the states.. and if the school is not really good.. I think they will prefer to send me somewhere else.. (if you see my whole list, I think most of the universities will be super reach for me) After alot of thinking (just a couple days ago) I decided to drop some of the liberal arts school and change them into state school since they cost cheaper and is more reputable world wide (e.g. washington-seattle, wisconsin-madison, etc).. do u think it is just better for me to apply to a state school even though I know that I wont get personal attention, etc? Choosing colleges have really took alot of my time :(</p>
<p>Btw this is my whole college list:
-Carleton College (I know I have only 1% chance of getting in but I decided to put it as one of my super reach)
-New York University (Super Reach) - CAS --> even though it is expensive.. but it has excellent reputation worldwide..
-Case Western Reserve University - Reach
-Occidental College - Reach
-Ohio Wesleyan University - Target
- College of Wooster - Target
-University of Washington - Seattle - Target
- University of Wisconsin - Madison - Target</p>
<p>I have been thinking about these universities:
-University of Illinois - Chicago
- University of Indiana - Bloomington</p>
<p>Ledyana, You have a very nice list of schools. I think you'd be happy at any of those schools. I would say you should probably choose between Carleton and NYU for ONE super reach, and then leave CWRU and Oxy as reaches. Then add either Illinois or Indiana as another target. Of the two, my personal preference would be Indiana - just tends to have a little better quality of life from what I understand. But, of course, it's your choice. That would give you 8 solid schools. All are wonderful schools. I am hoping for the best for you!!! Good luck!!!!</p>
<p>I think I will choose NYU over Carleton because of its reputation.. and I agree with you to choose Indiana over Illinois.. Thanks alot for the replies.. Carolyn do you think I still have a chance at Occidental if I apply for financial aid?</p>
<p>Ledyana,
I think you have to get a clear picture from your parents of what they are willing to spend and what schools they are willing to spend it on. You also have to understand whether or not the colleges you are applying to give NEED based or MERIT based aid to non-American citizens-- depending on what your parents tell you. </p>
<p>Your school counselors will be familiar with the experiences of international students who have applied to the schools you have listed- both in terms of admissions and in terms of financial aid. Before you finalize your list, make sure to talk with them.</p>
<p>If you really are interested in attending a smaller LAC, but your parents are reluctant to let you because they are unfamiliar with the schools, then talk to the counselors about schools that give good merit aid to attract international students.....I think there are some that are not on your list that you might consider.</p>
<p>Robyrm- Thanks for the reply.. College of Wooster and Ohio Wesleyan both gives merit and need-based aid for international student.. Everytime I ask about money to my parents, they just say that they will try to pay for me but I must be prepared to transfer if something happens.. so I am not sure either :( btw thx for the advice..</p>
<p>Carolyn - Do you know a state school that is similar to u of washington-seattle (similar reputation and quality)? I think there are too many Indonesians in Indiana University and I think I dont want to apply to University of illinois - Urbana-Champaign.. thanks</p>
<p>" think I will choose NYU over Carleton because of its reputation". But you must also take into consideration because of the scores you are presenting that you any aid you get from NYU won't be a drop in the bucket as far as the $40,000 price tag is concerned, because they are known for gapping and giving out very little aid.</p>
<p>Since you say that money is really going to be an issue, you really need to look at the financial aid pages to see if they are need blind to international applicants (which means if your needing aid is a factor,then you will be knocked out of the box)</p>
<p>Roby is correct when she says that you need to look at schools where your grades are at the top of the applicant pool thus increasing your chances fro merit money. I would suggest that you look pick up a copy of colleges that change lives and Beyond the Ivy league by Loren Pope whcih have a great listing of schools were you may be above average.</p>
<p>From looking at the Oxy financial aid page, they do give financial aid - although in limited amounts - to international students. I haven't checked, but I am fairly certain that financial aid at NYU for internationals if non existant - better check as Robyrm suggests. Most public institutions will not offer financial aid to internationals, so be sure to check. You might take a look at the University of Oregon and the University of Arizona as possibilities, but off-hand I am not certain about their financial aid availability for internationals. I do know that Wooster and Lawrence are fairly generous and make merit aid available to internationals as well.</p>
<p>Ledyana - Have you actually told your parents the EXACT amount that a year at a US university will cost? They may not really have any idea. I know that my husband nearly dropped on the floor the first time I filled him in on how much we would have to pay for my daughter.</p>
<p>Ledyana, I have another thought for you. It seems to me that you need a true financial safety in the U.S. I have one. The Unversity of South Dakota is a very good public university that is much smaller than most state schools so classes are small and there is lots of personal attention. It is a liberal arts focused school as well. It has a solid economics department through its business school. Total costs, including tuition, room and board, are $14,356 a year. International students are eligible for some merit scholarships. By virture of your SAT scores, I believe you may be eligiible for some of these merit scholarships. You can learn more about the University of South Dakota at <a href="http://www.usd.edu%5B/url%5D">www.usd.edu</a></p>
<p>Wooster is lovely lovely school but it is in a tiny village of 25,000. </p>
<p>What about Loyola of New Orleans, Loyola College in Maryland, Loyola University Chicago or Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles? The stats are in your range and the locations offer a wider view of the US.</p>
<p>I'm not sure about Loyola in Chicago but Loyola in Maryland, New Orleans and Loyola Marymount do not offer any financial aid for international students. Although Wooster may be in a small town, it is one of the few liberal arts colleges in the U.S. that are a match for Ledyana's stats that is generous with financial aid and merit scholarships for international students.</p>
<p>My sister has gone to Emory University so my parents know about the cost of attending universities in America .. I think my parents can afford to pay to state schools that cost around $25-30k.. Even though it seems cost is an issue here.. but it is the reputation of the university that I think is the issue.. My parents off course will pay me for college if I got accepted to Harvard University even though it is really expensive.. but will not pay for me if I go to somewhere else with the same cost but unknown reputation :( I know this is wrong.. and with my weak stats.. I know I can't get into great universities..</p>
<p>cheers- Im from Jakarta. Are you also from Indonesia?</p>
<p>Carolyn - I have heard about University of South Dakota before.. If I choose University of SOuth Dakota, which university from my list should I throw out?</p>
<p>C--Have you spent much time in Wooster? I have spent heaps of time there over the past fifteen years and, in fact, know a few international students who graduated from Wooster. Hence my caution.</p>
<p>It is a tough location for an international student coming from such a large city.</p>
<p>Cheers, well then, I defer to your greater wisdom. And, I suppose it's just as well she is planning on dropping Carleton from her list then. Not exactly a cosmopolitan area either. :)</p>