Hello everyone! I am a prospective transfer international student and would love some advice and help. How did you build a school list that you were confident in? I do know of the Reach, Target and Likely strategy but if financial aid is one of your needs to continue your education, how would you best create a list with schools that all have great financial aid but not all in the reach or highly selective category. If anyone can help me with this or offer any advice, I am happy to listen.
Just some background, in my previous experience I have been accepted to an institution but could not attend because the leftover cost was too high, I am trying to avoid this.
Unfortunately, for international transfer students, there is no such thing as a place that has great financial aid but is not a reach.
What is wrong with the place where you currently are studying? Has it turned out to be unaffordable for you?
Thank you for your response. To answer your question, I am actually in junior college, so I have to transfer. Your point makes a lot of sense, I guess the best thing now is to make the applications the best I can possibly?
Junior college or Community College?
What is your budget? What is your nationality? What is your major? What is your GPA?
The cost of attendance is a significant constraint for most students. It can be particularly tough for international students with a constrained budget.
Community College. I think the word is used interchangeably.
I am Zimbabwean, GPA of 3.89, Major in Health Sciences/Exercise Science/ Kinesiology. I aim to go to Physical Therapy School. Budget is tricky for me, currently, after scholarships and work-study I pay about 6 thousand a semester. It has been hard for me but I pay it in installments. The economy in my home country and restrictions on money transfers have made it additionally hard. I think the biggest stretch I can make is 10 thousand.
What type of visa do you currently have? Is there any plan/pathway to become a permanent resident?
Your GPA is very good.
I have benefited greatly from physical therapy. I wish you the best and hope that you are successful with this career.
Currently on a student visa and yes, I aim to explore those options after I transfer. It does increase research and intern opportunities for me if I change.
Both Junior Colleges & Community Colleges are 2 year programs, but Junior Colleges tend to be private, and Community Colleges are public- and typically have articulation agreements with the in-state colleges,. Depending a lot on the state that can be one of the better options.
There are also states where the annual tuition (ie, 2 semesters) is under $10K, even for OOS.
What state do you live in? I would start by looking at the 4 year schools that your junior/community college has articulation agreements with…that way you are certain your credits will transfer. Hopefully there would be an affordable situation there but you may have to go part-time and/or work as you go thru school (not sure the student visa allows this?). I would also research online schools (only legit, non-profit ones like ASU, Western Governor’s, Southern New Hampshire). Work with transfer admissions counselors at every school you consider…you do not want to lose credits when you transfer, which is very common if not paying attention.
The bad news is this: DPT school is long and expensive. If paying for your 3/4 years of college will be difficult, how will you pay for PT school? Even if you were to find a way, if you don’t have permanent residency (or certain visas) you will not be able to work in the US once you finish school (whether undergrad or DPT). Please identify your options, and think about what might be the best for you, as right now the immigration situation is difficult in the US.
Your community college should have a dedicated Transfer Advisor. If you aren’t sure who that person is, ask at the International Students Office. The Transfer Advisor’s whole job is to help students find good places to transfer to, so that person should have useful ideas for you. Your own professors are likely to have ideas as well, so don’t forget to speak with them.