niensin

Hello!

I'm an international student applying for Fall 2013 entry. Between Brown and Cornell (both need-aware for internationals), which one would offer me the best chances of being admitted (and having my need fully met) should I need a substantial amount of aid? Looking forward for replies!!!

b@r!um

Brown funds a larger number of international students, with more financial aid per student than Cornell.

That being said, your odds of getting into any single university are quite low. Why don't you apply to both? Since competition for international financial aid is so stiff, many students opt to apply to 10-20 universities.

niensin

Yes, their respective collegeboard profiles support your response. However I know an international counterpart who was accepted to both, but Brown chose not to give her any financial aid (which she needed) to the contrary of Cornell who gave her aid. I knew until now that Cornell had a reputation of accepting int'l student but not meeting aid. So I don't know who to believe any more! haha

The reason I'm trying to limit myself is (as you said) that I already have a very long college list. While adding one won't change much (I'm applying for fee waivers), such an approach would make me end up with an unsurmountable amount of essays.

ivyvision

Correct me if I am wrong, but Cornell is need-blind to international students however they do not guarantee that they will meet the full demonstrated need.

niensin

Yes you're right (I think). Though I can't find any specific mention of that on the Cornell website, Cornell's international aid policy is well-documented on cc so it appears unlikely that so many people are wrong.

But I wanted to go straight to the point with this thread. And Cornell's policy being (in my opinion) just a slight nuance from the traditional need-aware policy, I didn't want to add unnecessary details. What's worth mentioning though is that Cornell guarantees to meet any package proposed by the Ivies, MIT, Duke or Stanford.

moneyp

niensin, going back to your original question....i think the answer (my opinion) would be neither. It really is tough for internationals asking for money. Your experience would probably be similar to the international counterpart you had mentioned.

niensin

Please know that I really am aware of the difficulty of securing aid as an international. Reason for which I wont be placing all my hopes on the US. While it is admitedly difficult, it's not impossible. I know of some friends who have had their need met. The friend I mentioned is going to one of HYP this fall.

TiagoCorreia

I was accepted to Cornell but they gave me no FA. Sucks.

niensin

I'm sorry to hear that. Did you need a lot of financial aid? And were you accepted elsewhere WITH financial aid?

TiagoCorreia

Sadly, no. I was wait listed in Princeton, but that's it. I could afford around 25% of the total cost, maybe less.

niensin

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you everything is okay now. What are you doing? PM me.

niensin

bump...
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Bounty123

Hey Niensin
I will be applying in fall 203 and I am in a similar situation as you are in right now. I am an Indian international student from Singapore. My opinion is that you can apply to Cornell because even if you don't get FA you will get admitted. After acceptance you can earn up to $750 per month by job on campus and you can earn double during the summer sessions. You also have scholarships available once you are accepted. Another option is that you can graduate in three years which will scrap another 50k from your expenses. I'll be using this strategy if I don't get any FA or if I get into a public Ivy. Hope it helps

Lelyke

I got FA at Cornell. Pretty generous, and btw they are need-blind for internationals, although they'll only give you fin-aid if they really want you, so try and be competitive.

TiagoCorreia

^ They aren't need blind. Your FA package from Cornell is need based, but they review applicants from internationals applying for aid separably.