Int student needing aid

jhl · 02-01-2007, 09:06 AM

What if i'm an international student needing financial aid? A 2200SAT, A Levels predicted 4 grade 'A's, student council treasurer.. coming from a not well represented country? Where should i apply to stand a good chance?

andriuxs · 02-01-2007, 09:24 AM

well u could apply to some ivy school ( there's always a chance) and some safeties.. it is for sure u are above average so u can get also merit aid...i used to believe it was very hard for a college to give fin. aid to international students but I don't think that anymore.

B407 · 02-01-2007, 04:38 PM

Some of the VERY TOP schools will have need based financial aid for international students. Most other schools have merit aid for internationals, merit aid for internationals usually EXTREMELY competitive.

builtfordakill76 · 02-02-2007, 12:57 PM

i had a 2050 sat and 3.75 gpa, igot into a top liberal art college with 100% of my need met and i know 2 other people from my country with both sat and gpa lower than mine and they both got into good colleges with all their need met...so i don't think financial aid will be much of a problem for a student like you. don't worry about that.....

and by the way isn't it too late to start thinking about colleges for a student of your calliber. all the good colleges have their deadlines in jan.....or feb 1 at max......you could still go for franklin&marshall, earlham, and stuff.....best of luck!

ToUSin007 · 02-02-2007, 01:55 PM

where did u get in builtfordakill76? u r also frm nepal rite?

jhl · 02-03-2007, 07:17 PM

Thank you for everyone's advice. I'm applying only in Dec 2007..

However, I dont think that my school grades are all too excellent all the times eventhough my ranking is pretty okay.. and I only got 7 As and 1B for my O Levels.. the ECAs are just fine i think..

Can I get into Grinnell or Macalester on fin aid? or even U of Pennsylvania?

Thanks

jhl · 02-03-2007, 09:06 PM

2250 SAT with 5 A Levels vs 2200 SAT with 4 A Levels? Is it a huge difference that'll make or break my chances of getting into Grinnell or Reed college or other unis (needing financial aid)? I'm thinking of self studying another A Level or should i pay more attention to my ECAs and SAT?

Do international students need to fulfil the high school distribution requirements of stipulated by the colleges? What if I don have social sciences/humanities for my O A Levels?

What are the profiles of international students who are usually awarded financial aid at US universities?

b@r!um · 02-04-2007, 04:33 AM

I came across a top 50 LAC (behind Grinnell or Reed in the rankings) and it clearly said on its website: international students expecting to receive financial aid from the college must have an ACT score of at least 34 (~2250 SAT).
If you anticipate to self-study another A level subject, make it a social science or humanity. It is said that selective universities generally prefer the well-rounded student with one outstanding strength (e.g. you are very good in all subjects but outstanding in physics, or you are a very good student but an outstanding athlete) over a one-sided student (only good in sciences, or a great but dumb athlete). If your self-studied A level would be another science (incl math, computing...), rather focus in your ECs.

jhl · 02-05-2007, 08:51 AM

Thank you barium.. But i don think i can make it studying a 2 year subject especially in social science which i'm unfamiliar with in 8 months.. however, i could have a shot another 'science' subject.. But.. will 5 A levels make such a difference?

What have you people who got into Grinnell or similar colleges achieve to get fin aid?

Thanks..

b@r!um · 02-05-2007, 10:06 AM

I don't think that extra A level would make that much of a difference.

builtfordakill76 · 02-05-2007, 11:08 PM

right ..ToUSin007 i got into oberlin

jhl · 02-08-2007, 08:37 AM

builtfordakill76, may I know your stats(other info like ECAs..) and how much aid did you apply for?

jhl · 02-08-2007, 09:12 AM

What do i need to achieve by December (application) to have a shot at the likes of Oberlin/Grinnell? A 5th A Level won make such a difference? Advice please from everyone..

b@r!um · 02-08-2007, 09:29 AM

You need to show those schools why they would make a mistake not accepting you. Students who spend most of their time studying are not going to contribute much to a dynamic college environment.
Rather show them that you have some unique interests or skills and get involved with people outside the classroom. Show them how you have made a difference for the people around you, and how you are going to make a difference at the college you want to get into.

Btw, I would really like to know what that "not well represented country" is?

b@r!um · 02-08-2007, 09:33 AM

To answer your original question: what you need to do - you need to be yourself above anything else, and forget about the 5th A level. And colleges loooove strong leadership skills.