what are my chances ( I'm syrian ) of getting accepted ?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi guys,
I’m a high school syrian student living in Syria. I’m applying to a couple of US universities and I want from some of you to give me an estimate of me getting accepted.

My toefl score is 630 pbt which is aproximately 109 IBT. my SAT scores are 760 Maths 600 CR and 620 Writing.

I’m the number two from 89 in my school regarding the academic performance.

I would like also to give you some ideas about my life in Syria.

My school is Arabic based so I had to study English for tests all bymeslf without the help of anyone in a harsh environment where electricity and Internet are not always available. (all this and more is written in my essays )

I’m so socially active. I’m member in many charities here in Syria.

My financial status isn’t that much great. I can maximum afford 8000$ per year.

What do you think ? Any advices ?
Please help !

2

Incredible story! What universities would you like to attend?

3

Thanks neoking ! Colby, gettysburg, hamilton and two others.

4

Please ! Can anybody help me ?

5

I’d think you would have a pretty decent chance of admission. Your challenge is probably going to be financial. I spent today doing financial aid paperwork (the CSS Profile) for my HS senior son, and I did notice that some schools offer aid to International students, and others do not. I’m not sure about the schools that you’ve listed above, but checking on their websites, or even on the Financial Aid board or threads for International Students here. My guess is that your question is a common one, and some other non-US students may have helpful tips. Good luck!

6

Thanks for your reply. But i’m pretty sure that my choices do provide financial aid to international students. I just want someone who could give me a general evaluation. This is so important to me and I need help before submitting my application. Please !

7

I’m applying to Colby as well! :slight_smile: Their financial aid programs are very good and they have a no-loan policy, so you won’t be in debt. Your SAT scores fit well with theirs. You have a really good chance. Good luck!

8

Thanks so much dju3785. This really comforted me !

9

Your chances are pretty good. What amount of financial aid would you require to attend a us universities?on average the cost of attendance is around $65,000?

10

Hi ali1302 ! , because of my situation in Syria, I can’t afford more than 10000 $ a year !

11

@Mosr98: you’re in a peculiar situation. First, you’re a survivor from one of the most atrocious conflicts in recent memory, stuck between a ruthless, lawless dictator and an insane death cult, and your country’s devastated, which in all likelihood means your family, house, and city have suffered tremendously. Second, it’s an election cycle and some people are using Syrians are examples of would-be terrorists. So, you’ll be both considered within the context of that unimaginable horror you’re in, and within the context of those making claims for political gain. Your college application will be looked at with special interest yet your life will be thoroughly inspected and you’ll be vetted in order to get a visa.

Colby, Gettysburg, and which others? They’re both good picks. I’d suggest adding Dickinson.
Are you a boy or a girl? If you’re a girl, apply to women’s colleges such as Wellesley, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Scripps.

Note “to be socially active” doesn’t mean “to be socially conscious and involved” . To be socially active = to have lots of friends, go out and party a lot, etc. To be socially conscious = to be aware of social inequality and to try to remedy the problem. (You’d have to describe precise actions undertaken).

12

@Mosr98 That’s alright many colleges offer lots of financial aid I can give you a list of colleges that on average pay most of the cost of attendance to their international students if you want. Make sure you apply for need based aid and that the colleges could cover 100% of your financial need. Some financial aid packages require you to take out a small loan or work on campus, so if you have issues with that it’s best to research colleges and universities that would suit you best.

Here are a list of liberal arts colleges that give at least $35,000 worth of aid to 60% of internationals
(with average international aid package)-(number of internationals with aid/ internationals with no aid):

Bard -$43,146 - 141/223
Bates- $52,427 - 88/116
Colby -$50,080 - 101/155
Connecticut - $49,126 - 57/73
Dickinson - $31,882 - 136/170
Earlham - $40,937 - 172/180
Franklin and Marshall - $37,432 - 159/241
Furman - $32,370 - 83/108
Grinnell - $36,837 - 161/210
Hamilton - $49,565* - 59/88
Kenyon - $39,737 - 58/73
Lafayette - $40,358 - 94/147
Lewis&Clark -$32,370 - 83/125
St. Olaf - $35,410 - 173/177
Trinity - $51,003 - 146/181
Whitman - $37,133 - 34/53
Williams - $54,671 - 80/129
Middlebury - $43,708 - 181/245
Macalester - $42,854 - 202/250
Colorado - $42,025 - 86/124
St. Lawrence - $37,020 - 185/186
Washington and Lee - $49,860 - 61/61

The average expected contribution at these schools was $10,000 for international students so any of these colleges could offer you a amount of aid you need. The fact that you apply from Syria is a major advantage since you are from an underrepresented country and basically a warzone. Make sure to sell yourself in the essay as much as possible. Applying early could’ve given you an advantage but I believe you still have a good chance of getting aid.

Here are a few more LACs you could apply to:
Colleges that give more than $35000 dollars to 40-59% of International students( with mean financial aid package for international students):

Colgate $49,126
Skidmore $53,600
Vassar $47,509
Carleton $34,708
Davidson $39,217
University of Richmond $45,527
Gettysburg $44,892
Bowdoin $43,421
Union $34,264

13

Hi guys, I want to say thank you for you all, your responses were really helpful and sorry for the late response but I was having Internet problems here in Syria and kind of frustrated with all the applications process. So now that I have finished everything I thought that I re open and thank you :slight_smile:

14

Fingers crossed (it’s a good luck saying in English)!
Are you safe where you are? Do you have enough food and water?

15

Yes I live in a safe place in Syria ( until now, who knows what could happen ?! ) it may seem surprising but not all Syria had been devastated and there are still safe places. Actually we live nearly a normal life except for the all economic hardships and the near fighting sometimes. thank you for your asking !

16

@Mosr98 Since you’ve already submitted, the best thing to do is not worry about them and focus on your current situation. I’m sure the colleges you’ve applied to will consider you favorably, and you might get a few acceptances. In the meantime, stay safe and good luck.