As recent examples, a Hamilton professor was recognized by the APS with this citation: “For outstanding contributions to fundamental neutron physics, development of neutron polarizers using optically polarized helium-3, and extraordinary engagement and education of undergraduate students.” And this was the thesis topic for one of Hamilton’s recent Apker Award finalists: “Quantization of Plane Gravitational Waves in Loop Quantum Gravity.”
Oh thats so cool!! i didnt know that they had apker finalist. Thats really very cool and makes me want to attend Hamilton even more. Also an out of context question but did you study Physics?
A $5000 USD EFC will barely cover the round trip ticket from India and all of your living expenses for the year. So you’ll need to limit your search to colleges that will provide full tuition, room, board, books, etc. You’ll probably also need to get a work-study job.
That doesn’t leave a whole lot of options for you unfortunately. There are lots of students from India who do their undergrad in the US. But most of them are extremely wealthy. The admission offices know this. The top colleges could fill their class 10 x over with plenty of students just like you, most of whom would be full pay. This has nothing to do with your accomplishments and self-worth. Colleges are just running a business. So don’t take it personally.
If I were you, I would shift my attention towards an affordable option in India. Have you taken JEE? Why are IITs not an option for you? Have you thought about NUS (National University of Singapore)? I believe they have some scholarships for internationals.
OP needs to understand what everyone is telling them and not be devastated by rejection. There may be a lucky acceptance at a school with full aid in the US (and yes this does happen, but cannot be expected) and it is certainly worth trying, but there also needs to be an acceptance (with less anxiety) of the realities of the situation. Having a good option in India as a backup should make this whole application season far less stressful.
Thats right. I am not sitting for the IITs because I don’t want to do engineering. There are barely any unis focused on physics research so yea. I am planning to apply to NUS though.
My understanding is that there are only limited circumstances under which an international (non U.S. citizen) can participate in work-study. Or has that changed?
My son attended a university and some of his buddies were international students on financial aid. Several of them worked on campus. I don’t believe this is covered under the federal work study program, but many colleges offer work opportunities for internationals. There is a cap on the number of hours.
Yes. International students can work at most on-campus jobs for up to 20 hours a week. I thought you meant the federal work-study program in your previous post.
OP should be aware that such on-campus jobs are typically minimum wage or close to it, so they can help provide some cash to offset costs but no where near enough to fund their education. Additionally, proof of existing funds to cover all costs over 4 years will need to be provided to obtain a student visa, and the prospect of an on-campus job won’t count.
You have been given the same basic advice since you came on CC quite some time ago and it has not changed. You appear to be an excellent and motivated student. By all means apply to US colleges that interest you and appear affordable, but as an international student from an over-represented country requiring basically a full ride the odds will be stacked against you. It is important to have options lined up in India in case the US schools don’t work out.
No thats not true. I found an average acceptance rate of all the universities I am applying to and it comes out to be only 2.7% and when included the fact that I am asking for a lot of aid, it drops to as low as 1%. That gives me a chance of one in hundred and given that I am from an overly represented country, it becomes even lower. So I understand my odds, I understand that its almost impossible but I still feel sad upon getting rejected. I just want to study physics in a good uni, thats all I want to do. So I feel sad when I think that all the hardwork i did might not result into anything. But I do understand that the chances are almost zero. I didnt understand it before, but I do it now.
@Lindagaf could you please close/delete this thread? I got my question answered and honestly, the answers make me feel more bad about myself(again, I absolutely realise that I have no chance but I don’t want to hear it from literally everyone every single day). If you cant delete it or close the thread then its fine too. Thankyou so much.
You are taking this the wrong way I think. People are trying to make you feel better about yourself. You cannot be devastated by rejection, and you need not worry about every detail of your application. Your work is not wasted. You may get in to one or some of your schools. The main message is that this is not personal. I have written you several times that it is often about the money BUT that does not mean you have no chance. I have worked with international students needing full aid who did get in to a school they wanted. You are an excellent candidate. Keep spirits up, hopes down, and try to enjoy yourself in some way while you wait. The future is bright no matter what.
As per Terms of Service, posts are not edited or deleted on request. However, as a courtesy, I will close the thread, as you seem to have received a lot of good advice already.
