ASK QUESTIONS HERE: Part III - Page 2

JanHus · 02-11-2009, 10:23 AM

Justin,
I am an international student and as such I am a little bit concerned. I hear a lot of contradictory information about raging crisis and its effect on financial aid for international students. Do you think that I have a chance of receiving financial aid? My scores are the following: SAT 2290 (R 700, M 790, W 800), SAT II Maths level 1 800, SAT II Maths level 2 800, SAT II Chemistry 770, SAT II Literature 730 and TOEFL iBT 116. I have good grades at school - 5.96 on a scale of 6.00 (Bulgarian system).

I would appreciate any pieces of advice.
Thank you

candyman92486 · 02-11-2009, 10:27 AM

JanHus,

Financial aid is tight for domestic and int'l applicants, alike.

Your academic credentials will not determine your aid nearly as much as your financial documents. As such, I have no idea how eligible you may be for aid.

Keep in mind that int'l admission is NOT need-blind. If your family can pitch in some $$$, you're more likely to be admitted over a comparably qualified candidate -- it's really as simple as that, since there's only so much $$$ to go around.

- Justin

lllklll · 02-12-2009, 04:29 PM

Lafayette received my ED agreement form on around 2/5. When should I expect to receive their decision by mail? (I'm from Arkansas, btw.)

candyman92486 · 02-12-2009, 05:25 PM

lllklll,

As stated on Lafayette's Admissions website:

<<< Decisions on [ED] applications normally are made within 30 days of receipt of your completed application forms. >>>

If the ED Plan Agreement was the final outstanding requirement of your application (check here: https://bannerselfservice.lafayette....P_DispLoginNon), then expect to hear back about 30 days later.

- Justin

Molly123 · 02-13-2009, 07:43 PM

justin hi again

what is the overall ranking of an engineering programme at lafayette ....... I do hope you understand that even though we all say ranking does not matter.......but eveyone still uses this as a tool while deciding a college esp. the international student .

kayakmom · 02-13-2009, 07:51 PM

our family is interested in lafayette engineering also... how hands on is it?is it true you can have a closer relationship with your professors and more research opportunities at lafayette than at a big state flagship school??

candyman92486 · 02-13-2009, 07:55 PM

Molly123,

Lafayette's Engineering program was ranked 12th the last time I checked. I don't know where that ranking came from, or which type of schools are included in this ranking, but there you go!

- Justin

candyman92486 · 02-13-2009, 08:03 PM

kayakmom,

While I can't speak from direct experience (I've never attended a larger state school, nor am I an Engineering major), I wouldn't hesitate to say that the research opportunities will be much more abundant at a smaller liberal arts school with an Engineering program than at a flagship state school.

Almost all of my Engineer friends have been involved in at least one faculty-headed research project. These students may be EXCEL Scholars (see: Lafayette College - Excel Scholars), engaged in independent study or conducting advanced research (for course credit), or completing an honors thesis.

Our Engineering program in general emphasizes "real-world" experience, or what we sometimes call "experiential learning." Many upper-level Engineering courses are taught as seminars, where students design and implement team projects.

- Justin

kayakmom · 02-13-2009, 09:10 PM

wow! thanks for your opinion...excellent!

Molly123 · 02-14-2009, 06:32 PM

Hi Kayakmom

are you too applyin to Lafayette for engineering major......................?? Which other colleges are on your list . I hav Northeastern and purdue.What is your opinion about social life in lafayette for internationals ............Justin it will be great if you too can give your expert comments on that.

Molly123 · 02-14-2009, 06:39 PM

Justin.....thanks for the information on the ranking of Lafayette college ..........actually I can't find this ranking ( 12 th ) anywhere ..................eventhough the college claims that ranking is not important ....it won't be a good idea if it comes out with some sort of ranking .

You see .Internationals when choosing a college do rely partially on the ranking......so my suggestion is that Lafayette should highlight this fact to be better known in the international front, to get a more diverse student community.

kayakmom · 02-14-2009, 06:48 PM

not applying for a couple years... just learing! good luck to you and hopefully you will be answering questions for us in a few years!!

Molly123 · 02-14-2009, 06:59 PM

ya sure...........i would lov to help out ....................

candyman92486 · 02-14-2009, 07:09 PM

Molly123,

As I'm not an int'l student, I can't comment from experience.

It seems, though, that int'l students are able to integrate into the social scene provided they put in the same effort required of all incoming students.

The ISA, or Int'l Students Association, does facilitate this integration process and also serves as a support system for those who may be struggling to find their way in the larger social scene.

- Justin

lafparent · 02-17-2009, 10:25 AM

kyakmom/molly123 --

DS is a senior engineering major at Lafayette and it has been a wonderful experience for him. It's been a busy 4 years and at times very stressful -- but he expected that. His professors were always available for help, advice and support. The program offered many opportunities for "hands-on" work. His experiences at Lafayette led to two very good internship offers this past summer. The one he selected, offered him the internship because of what he was working on at Lafayette and provided him the opportunity to expand on what he was learning at Lafayette. The internship resulted in a job offer in September.

As parents, we are very pleased with the choice he made and the opportunities Lafayette has opened for him. If you are looking for a small school with a strong engineering program and lots of support for the student, I don't think you can go wrong in choosing Lafayette.