Tufts and Lehigh

Benhead26 · July 21

I am an international student considering to apply for ED at Tufts and to Lehigh university as a safety. Do these institutions offer good aid to international students?

Mwfan1921 · July 21

When applying to any school ED, make sure that it is likely be affordable. Talk with an international admissions officer to see if getting a financial aid pre-read is possible.

Tufts does meet full financial need, and it's unclear whether it is need-blind or need-aware for internationals.
https://admissions.tufts.edu/tuition-and-aid/applying-for-aid/international-student-aid/
According to the most recent CDS, 168 of 588 international undergrads receive fin aid, around $60K on average (H6). https://provost.tufts.edu/institutionalresearch/files/CDS_2018-2019-Final.pdf

Lehigh is need-aware for international students and does not meet full need. Lehigh should be considered a reach, as admissions is fairly competitive and you will require financial aid to attend. https://www1.lehigh.edu/financialaid/faq

According to the most recent CDS, 101/459 Lehigh international undergrads received on average nearly $49K in aid. https://www.lehigh.edu/~oir/cds/lucds2018.htm
Lehigh COA is around $75K/year, not counting travel and health insurance, so on average, an international student receiving fin aid still needs to pay around $30K per year.

You should consider any US school where you need financial aid to attend to be a reach. Safety schools will most likely be located in your country, or where you meet acceptance criteria based solely on stats. A safety can only be a safety if it is affordable. Good luck.

momofsenior1 · July 21

In addition to all the good advice above, Tufts and Lehigh are not safety schools for even the brightest domestic students.

thumper1 · July 21

Both Tufts and Lehigh are need aware for international students. Your ability to pay will potentially be considered when your admission application is reviewed.

https://admissions.tufts.edu/tuition-and-aid/applying-for-aid/international-student-aid/

Read this. Tufts guarantees to meet full need...but it sure sounds like they accept a limited number of international students who have financial need.

Do you have affordable options in your home country?

thumper1 · July 23

You have significant financial considerations...right? That being the case...don’t apply ED. You need the ability to compare net costs amongst multiple acceptances and financial aid offers.

TheBigChef · July 23

Tufts is need aware for US students, so need is certainly going to be a significant factor if you are applying there as an international. Full freight at Tufts is $76 K per year ($80 K if you aren’t covered under your parent’s health insurance). There would be other costs for an international student as well (travel costs etc ...). Lehigh is also need aware for internationals. While Lehigh is not quite as selective as Tufts, as an international applicant who needs financial aid, it’s probably not a safety unless you have exceptional qualifications.

Benhead26 · July 23

@thumper1 as you said not to apply for ED to have the ability compare aid offers from different universities, but isn't it true that you are more likely to receive aid if you apply ED instead of RD?

happy1 · July 23

I don't think you understand the US college system. Here are some comments:

1. Academic statistics are just the first hurdle to overcome. Strong academics are not an assurance of admissions. The colleges you are considering are not safety schools.

2. As an international student needing financial aid I would not consider any college to be a safety school (unless you find one that guarantees both admission and adequate aid based on your academic stats which is unlikely).

3. You should not apply ED anywhere if you want the ability to compare financial offers between colleges.

4. Be sure to look into opportunities for college in your home country as well.

thumper1 · July 23

as you said not to apply for ED to have the ability compare aid offers from different universities, but isn't it true that you are more likely to receive aid if you apply ED instead of RD?

No. These two colleges will meet your full need IF you get accepted...same for ED or RD.

Tufts and Lehigh

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