So does money really talk?

<p>I mean, if you are an international and you can pay 4 years of tuition in full, each year, can that increase your chances of being accepted into a University in the United States?</p>

<p>It does, except for the few need-blind universities and colleges (Harvard & Co). Now don't get me wrong - your chances would be higher than that of a peer with the same stats applying for fin aid, but they are (usually) still significantly lower than the chances of an American kid with the same stats as yours.</p>

<p>If you are not international, does not applying for financial aid ever give an advantage at the ivy leagues?</p>

<p>Cash is king.</p>

<p>It will help at most schools. Many schools are "need-blind" for domestic students but not for internationals, and finaid for internationals is often quite scarce. So if you are a qualified candidate for the school it will probably work in your favor.</p>

<p>Ditto etselec. Many schools are need-blind for domestic but not for international...as in, they're acknowledging that your ability to pay matters.</p>

<p>Thanks but the question was not for International students but for American students</p>

<p>Top colleges could fill their classes many time over with full payers. Being able to pay full tuition is not what they mean by money talks at colleges. Giving a 7 figure donation is. There's a book out on this by a WSJ reporter: The Price of Admission.</p>

<p>For internationals as there is limited aid for them, being able to pay helps a lot everywhere but the handful of schools that are need blind for them.</p>

<p>collegebound, we were responding to the OP. As for your question, it's pretty straightforward--if a college says they're "need-blind" then it will not have an impact.</p>

<p>Thanks for your answer</p>

<p>Thanks guys. Much appreciated</p>