<p>ok. so I see that my application is obviously not good enough to get into need-aware schools with finaid. (and of course I'm not good enough to get into need-blind schools then)</p>
<p>I'm thinking I MIGHT want to apply without financial aid to few universities..</p>
<p>So, just for some reference, which top universities are known to be really cheap to internationals? i.e. no admission if financial aid is needed unless very very outstanding, but if you can pay it's a lottt easier</p>
<p>There are no cheap "top universities". All prestigious universities are either private (i.e. $30+ K for tuition a year) or public with similar rates for out-of-state students.</p>
<p>If you can afford <em>at least</em> $15,000 a year for (total cost of attendance), there are a few colleges you could look at, but none of them is even close to the top.</p>
<p>B@r!um I think the person means cheap as in stingy.</p>
<p>Arkansas State U....</p>
<p>If you can pay your full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, housing, food, travel, etc.) and you aren't planning to apply for financial aid, then it doesn't matter what the university's policy on financial aid for international students is. What matters is whether you fall into the range of candidates who are likely to be admitted.</p>
<p>You need to be very, very, very clear about just exactly how much money you and your family can afford to pay for your education. With that figure in mind, you can eliminate any university that is more expensive.</p>
<p>Then you need to select universities from the affordable list where your grades, test scores, etc., etc. put you into the range of admissible candidates.</p>
<p>And, as an international student, saying that you can pay for it isn't good enough. You will have to demonstrate that you and your family actually do have the money for your studies or you won't get your visa.</p>