<p>I want to know my chances to Reed and Swarthmore.</p>
<p>International Student
A levels , 5 subjects (rigorous courses)
O levels, 13 A's
My current GPA : 4.0/4.0
Sat Score: 780 (math) 680 (writing) 680 (verbal)
Sat 2: 800 (physics) 790 ( Maths 2) 680 (literature)</p>
<p>I'm the president of debating society and chess. MUN'er, Human Rights Activist, initiated Animal Right Organization.
Kick ass letter of recommendations. Top 1%
Researches</p>
<p>But will definitely be asking for financial aid.</p>
<p>From <a href="http://www.reed.edu/financialaid/handbook_other.html:%5B/url%5D">http://www.reed.edu/financialaid/handbook_other.html:</a></p>
<p>
[quote]
Limited funds are available to assist international students who demonstrate need. The process used to determine if an international student will receive aid is very selective and is based on the strength of the candidate's application for admission. In a typical year, 90 to 100 qualified international freshman and transfer applicants compete for 10 to 20 awards. All offers of financial assistance includes grants, work opportunities, and loans. Loans must be repaid to the college.
[/quote]
Given that fewer than one in five international requests for aid can be granted, your chances are generally not good, but that doesn't matter if you are indeed one of the few admitted. Beyond that it's just too hard to say, due to the importance of essays, recommendations, interview, the details of your high school courses, and the degree of "match" you and Reed have. In addition, we now have the effects of the global financial crisis which would seem to make everything less predictable.</p>
<p>What if I am paying about 10,000 USD's? Does it make a difference if I pay some amount or not?</p>
<p>I'm not very familiar with international financial aid issues (maybe someone else can say), but domestically it works the other way around. FAFSA (and sometimes PROFILE) are submitted with the application, and if admitted, the school says what the estimated financial aid would be (subject to submission of final tax returns for the year). Sometimes there can be a subsequent negotiation.</p>