<p>"Penn practices need-blind admissions for citizens and permanent residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which means admissions decisions are not affected by a family’s ability to pay."</p>
<p>The question I have is, is Penn really really truly need blind? I have an understanding that schools can claim to be need blind, yet admit students based on their merits and financial situation. 60K/year x4 is a looooot of money, and I am only the first of 4 children. My family is doing ok, but I'm sure that once I start college, money would be flowing out faster than it is coming in.</p>
<p>Should I take the risk and NOT apply for aid, hoping that I can get in, or truly trust that the adcoms will admit me based on my stats and not on my financial situation?</p>
<p>My stats are ok: 32 ACT, Full IB Diploma with 4HL 2 SLs predicted around 39>/45, and a crapload of ECs.</p>
<p>Does anyone share similar sentiments? And has anyone gotten in with full rides? Anyone planning to take out a ton of loans?</p>
<p>Seriously? If you are going to need aid, then what purpose would there be to you getting in if you can’t pay without aid? And if you really can pay without aid, then they will figure out that you don’t need it and not give it to you. They won’t hold the fact that you applied for aid against you.</p>
<p>@Much2learn I am an international student. I konw that Penn is not need blind to international students. But will asking for financial aid lower my chance to get admitted a lot?</p>
<p>@nervousfreshie, Penn is absolutely need-blind for U.S. applicants. Wealthier students are more likely to be qualified, but two equally qualified applicants will have the same chance at admission regardless of their wealth.</p>
<p>@TrinityChen, we really can’t say how much of a beat-down international aid-seekers will take. Penn doesn’t release that data. But if you need aid to attend, ask for it. And make sure you apply to schools like Dartmouth and Amherst, which are need blind for internationals.</p>
<p>If you are a really strong international applicant, don’t be afraid to apply to colleges, like Penn, that are not “need blind,” but that promise to meet full need if you are accepted. Yes, your chances of admission are less than average, but if you are admitted, you will be given generous financial aid. And, on the whole, the competition for admission may be just a little less fierce than at the handful of colleges that are need blind for international admission, because practically every single international applicant who needs aid will (and should) apply to those colleges.</p>
<p>Penn, and others like it, has a budget to admit international applicants with financial need; it just isn’t an unlimited budget. They all intend to admit a number of international applicants whose families can’t afford the tuition. That could include you – but only if you apply.</p>
<p>^ And, for those who may be interested, Penn is also need-blind for Mexicans, as well as for permanent residents --and not just citizens–of the US, Canada, and Mexico.</p>
<p>It’s also worth emphasizing what JHS said: although Penn is not need-blind for international applicants outside of North America, it does have a financial aid budget for such applicants, and does provide financial aid to meet the full demonstrated need of accepted international applicants.</p>
best of luck to all applying</p>