Hey guys,
I am applying to several colleges and reside in California. I have lived here for the past 7 years and have applied for a green card. This situation is not in my control now, and some colleges that I have applied to, treat me as an international applicant. This makes my admission chances and tuition costs harder.
Is there anything I can do?
Please I am in desperate need!
Appreciate your help!!!
Bump. Please Any response is appreciated. I really need help!
I have no back up colleges if they all reject me, because I am international!
Each college and university sets its own policy about how to classify students who have been educated in the US, but who do not have a green card. You have to communicate directly with each of the ones on your list.
If you meet certain requirements for grades and test scores, some of the colleges and universities in these two lists will automatically admit you even though you are currently an international applicant. Check each of the institution’s websites and/or contact the admissions offices directly:
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1562918-updated-list-of-schools-with-auto-admit-guaranteed-admission-criteria-p1.html
If you have a reasonable expectation that you will have your green card within the next year or so, and you have something else you could be doing during a gap year, it may make more sense for you to take that gap year, and apply once you do have your green card.
Well you should find some backup schools that you can afford.
University of Alabama offers full tuition to international students with a 32+ ACT or 1400+ SAT (Math+CR) and at least a 3.5 GPA.
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
There’s a list of list that offers automatic full tuition if you meet the requirements. You might have to contact the schools to see if their scholarships also extend to international students.
I cant find any information for LMU.
(In my situation) Will admission be harder for these colleges as an international applicant: Northeastern, Georgia Tech, UIUC, UM Ann Arbor, Purdue, SCU, LMU, Berkeley, UCSD, UCLA ?
Appreciate all ur help guys… I am really stressed abt this atm.
Most colleges are need-based for international students, which means your chances will be severely affected if you apply for FA. There are, however, a few schools that are need-blind, but all of them are extremely competitive. If I remember correctly, Harvard, Yale, MIT, Princeton and Amherst are need-blind.
so my admission would be based on my financial situation?
Do UC’s make admission harder for international students?
Yes, it is harder for internationals.
Also, for UC’s, you will get no aid and for the other schools, your inability to pay will hurt as they are need-aware for international students.
Also, for the schools you’re applying to, they cannot be full demonstrated need so if you’re poor and can’t pay, they can’t help you.
I don’t know about all UCs, but UC Berkeley will consider you as a domestic applicant for admissions purposes. They will not hold it against you for requesting financial aid at the admissions process.
If you get your Greed Card before enrolling, then they may offer you some aid, but this is only left over aid after its been allocated to in-state students, and if you receive your Green Card in Summer/August period, then all the remaining aid may be handed off to other OOS applicants.
So while admissions is harder for the typical international applicant vying for a spot at Berkeley, it will not be harder for you. You will be assessed in comparison to other domestic applicants.
If you requested a green card and are in the process of getting one, the best thing you can do is WAIT till it arrives. Yes I know all your classmates are moving on, but you have to be patient. Take CC classes UNTIL your HS graduation but DO NOT TAKE ANY CLASS (community college, 4-year college, any college) AFTER HS graduation.
Having a green card will make admission incredibly easier for you, you’ll qualify for instate tuition, for state aid, for federal aid, won’t be in the same “pool” for admission at private colleges, and in short you’ll have venues that are right now closed or almost, to you.
Take a gap year while u wait for your Green Card.
Are you eligible for AB 131? California is pretty fair to immigrants who have lived in the state, graduated from high school, and plan to go to college.I would check with your guidance counselor as well as checking with your local UC and CSU.
See if this applies to you:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_DREAM_Act
“I cant find any information for LMU.”
If you can’t find it on the website, contact the admissions office directly, and ask them.
You’re still applying for the green card that’s probably the reason why you’re being treated as an international. You might want to consider taking that Gap year, take a volunteer abroad program or something. I don’t think that would hurt as you wait for your green card.
Are you applying for your GC as an independent 18 yr old (as opposed to your parents applying)? You are applying yourself (no lawyer?) What stage are you at, do you know?
It is all very well for people to tell you to wait for your GC but for some people, it takes a very long time. Heck, that last thing you want to do is go abroad for any period.
^I agree. While you wait for you GC, DO NOT go abroad. You can find plenty of volunteer opportunity where you live (or can you work with your current visa?)
I agree it may take a long time but realistically this student without a green card has to pay 55K to attend a UC vs. with a green card they can attend for less than half that… waiting for a year would be the easiest 120K (30X4) that student would earn. And if it takes longer then the situation isn’t the same, but s/he should at least try this.
Don’t know about the other schools, but Ga. Tech definitely limits international admissions. You might consider calling some of these schools, explaining the situation, and asking their advice.
Thanks for all your comments!
My parents are applying for a green card. It is on the last stage out of three for the past 4 years.
I am Indian, and am 16 years old. I can’t work or study/volunteer abroad. I am not sure my GC will be done in a year.
I just talked with my counselor and she said that UCs don’t count me as an international applicant.
I am really confused at this point. I called all my colleges and none of them gave me a solid answer. I am really worried and don’t know if taking a year off is worth it.
Appreciate your help!