The Indian Thread #20 (a)

[IRBCobalt]

^^Me too

[Mrinal2207]

wanted to ask a noob question, to we need to fill common app for each college or just one common app for all colleges??
And I plan to ask FA in some colleges ( not the whole list of colleges I will be applying to) , so if we need to fill only one common app, how do I tell them that I will be asking finaid in only few colleges as there is only one column to tell that whether I am applying for finaid or not.

[desivader]

@Mrinal2207

You fill the commonapp once, and send it to the colleges. However, some colleges have independent application systems, so you will have to check their websites.

As for financial aid, in the "Future Plans" section, for each college you can declare if you'll be asking for aid or not. For independent application systems this will be different. After that, you'll need to send forms (like university aid forms, CSS Profile, International Student Fin Aid App, tax forms, etc.) as per individual university requirements, so just check their website.

Commonapp is just admission application. It is not the aid application. Aid applications are different.

Just check university websites (not forums or blogs, but official university websites) for the correct information.

[Mrinal2207]

^hey, there is only one question as to whether we need finaid or not, so how can I declare different finaid plans for different colleges??

[Tizil7]

Also, just a pointer, but the whole GUI for the Common Application online form is going to change from next year onwards (or this year August; however you define a year). You guys are going to get a more beautiful and intuitive form

Keep in mind that most schools have a supplementary application - which will appear in the supplement section of the Common App if you choose to add that school to the list of schools you are planning on applying to. This supplement is usually released way before August ... sometimes during June or July. However, some schools might even release them in September. The point I'm trying to make is that these supplements are extremely important and you should set aside ample time to formulate your answers.

I don't know much about Financial Aid, sorry :P Though, as Desivader said, you'll need to indicate in the common app, for each college separately, if you intend on applying for aid. If yes, you'll have to fill the CSS form (I don't even know the full form ).

Also, note: If you plan on applying to Caltech, then you'll have to send in an extra form called the International Financial Aid Intent Form (or something along those lines) which is available on the Caltech website. This is just an example of a college where you have to send in a form about Financial Aid even if you may not be applying for aid.

Source: CommonApp Announcements

[desivader]

@Tizil7 I read that the new commonapp will come in effect from the Fall 2014 application cycle and changes will occur in 2013. Let's see. The structure will be same, the main changes will be to the UI of the site itself.

@Mrinal2207
On the commonapp, you just indicate IF you'll be applying for aid. As for the HOW MUCH part, that is to be indicated on the CSS, or on the institutional aid form. Just check the websites of the financial aid offices of the institutions.

[texaspg]

You can mark yes or no on financial aid for each college in future college plans.

In order to understand how it works, you should open an account and play with it. Most colleges have passed the deadline but you may still be able to add few to the list. Then once you have two or three on the list, you can see you you can vary your options based on the college.

You don't need to have to apply this year to open an account. All acounts get wiped out in July to open cleanly for 2013 in August.

[Mrinal2207]

thnx for the advices.....
Also, I wanted to ask that can I apply for UK colleges( CBSE student) as I heard I need to be in IB board to be eligible for UK colleges, plesase correct me if I am wrong.....

[rrroar]

Not sure about all British colleges, but I'm sure u can't apply to Oxford and Cambridge.

[desivader]

CBSE students can apply to Oxbridge, though Indian 12 year isn't considered adequate education by them.

For Cambridge, you can take advantage of the Manmohan Singh scholarship scheme. Look it up and find out more about it through your school. One of my seniors got in with a full ride last year.

I'm not sure about Oxford, but I think taking SAT could be considered enough. Just check on their undergrad admissions' website's requirements page.

[Tizil7]

Originally Posted by desivader

though Indian 12 year isn't considered adequate education by them.

Hahahahahaha. Yeah right, would we rather do A-levels? -.-

[angaduday]

Yeah, we can't even apply to ICL either.

[desivader]

Oxbridge requires 13 years of education.

I didn't agree with them either, therefore I only applied to US, and with hope will attend a school in US too!

And yeah, if you're looking for any kind of aid, UK is not the place to apply. Fees are expensive and the living expenses are high too. So do consider this when you decide to apply. Scholarships are there, but VERY competitive. RARE is the word. So just be realistic if you aren't full pay.

[Tizil7]

Err ... angaduday, I applied to ICL. I'll have an American High School GED and APID when I graduate

[mysticgohan]

Actually desivader, I disagree. Cambridge gave me a finaid form after I got in to see how much I wanted. Of course whether I would get that much is another question altogether. In that sense, if they ask for finaid info after you get in, thats called being need blind no? For students from the Commonwealth, they have this Commonwealth Bursary that gives aid. Im pretty sure Oxford is not as generous but you're under the wrong impression if you think aid is impossible in the UK.