At a Loss of Words

TheBoldedFranklin
Tue, 21 May 2019 02:00:45 +0000

@cptofthehouse I understand where you’re coming from, I’m not exactly sure if your post was to inform future and other applicants, but I think some of what you said is given and understating a lot of what actually goes on.

“It takes a lot of tedious and grueling work to sift through all of them and then call the Admissions and FA office to confirm that they still are. In this case, the additional issues of possibly being classified as an international student and having DACA Status also have to be addressed.”

The issue is that college who don’t explicitly state that they consider DACA/Undocumented as domestics are internationals (and that’s incredibly clear at least from my experience). A common misconception I think a lot of DACA students have is that “Need-Blind” correlates to domestic, which isn’t the case at all and can be extremely misleading. In fact, the more obscure thing is whether or not need-blind applies to domestics AND internationals.

“There has been a reduction in the college aged population and more students in that demographic are applying to the schools with name recognition. Many of the most selective colleges are becoming even more selective whereas the less known schools, particularly private ones are hurting from fewer students applying. So the full ride discounts are disappearing. I think there is a squeeze on international students that need aid because they cannot bring the federal PELL and loans, and in most cases, state money to the schools. Full need international students are expensive.”

There are more students applying to schools with name recognition, but there are also A LOT of students apply to schools “without” name recognition. In fact, the number of ENROLLED students has nearly tripled since the 1990s, but that’s a long time ago (almost 30 years believe it or not). However, there are some underlying problems with this that may not be as obvious.

Tuition prices have sky-rocketed. Degrees are worth more; simply supply and demand. Maybe inflation? I find it hard to believe that. Tuition goes through the roof, more people applying, and more people with just not enough money. That spirals, and people are flocking to schools that can give a lot of money - and those “schools that can give a lot of money” just happen to be either: State Schools, or Highly Selective Private schools. (Disclaimer, I’m talking about before scholarships, and simply college tuition and financial aid).

Now here’s the problem. DACA/Undocumented students can’t apply for federal aid so that completely knocks out state schools unless you’re so fortunate enough as to have money and pay 10-15K+ a year. This leaves highly selective schools being left, and because we’re internationals needing money, trying to win a spot of 1300 from a pool of over 30,000 applicants, that’s intense. Yes, this “chokes” the smaller private schools, but your cause-and-effect I think was not exactly accurate. Tuition cost is a big problem, and when highly selective schools say “Make $60,000 and under? Free tuition, room, and board” or waive their NPC around with EFC of 0, it’s not only attractive to apply to, but it is the logical and most obvious place to apply to. We aren’t just spinning our heads around trying to get into an HYPSM school; we’re trying to get money.

But what about schools like Berea that have free tuition? I got rejected there (confused as to how?) How about smaller LAC that offers great financial aid? Rejected there too. Case Western? Rejected. The pattern is smaller schools having little to no money to give to people like me, and you addressed this, but I just want to make it clear that you have it the other way around. Yes, these are still great colleges, but they aren’t the most prestigious and were ones my GC was confident I would’ve gotten into - if I was a permanent resident.

This brings me to another thing you said:
“NY, my state, just passed a still controversial bill allowing anyone who graduated from a NY highschool access to in state college tuition and to TAP and other state awards.”

I’m not exactly sure how recent “just passed” is, or why it’s so controversial, but state tuition offered to DACA/Undocumented students have been around for a few years, and the problem is that’s just not enough. Most students going to in-state Public schools get Instate Tuition + Pell grants + FAFSA + whatever scholarships (few or many) which can cut the price in half or even more.

“One theme I’m seeing often is a litany of highly selective schools rejecting a qualified candidate. It hurts, yes, and I am surprised at the calibre of kids being denied admissions. So that someone who is not citizen or Permanent resident, who needs money to attend, is no surprise.”

At this point, that’s pretty standard. Even students, as you say, that can pay in full and are of “that” caliber, get denied. The interesting thing is that some Ivy Leagues practice “need-blind” application. But really, when we’re talking about internationals, that changes many things - and our chances were slim to none in the first place.

“I suggest that anyone in this position, including anyone hoping to have a Green Card next time around in applying, have less selective schools on their list. Schools that may give tuition awards and are local, full awards if not. The search for these schools is sadly not as rewarding to most people and looking at those names that don’t have the luster of Emory or Swarthmore or UChicago or State Flagship just doesn’t evoke the excitement.”

That’s the whole point of having a Green Card. As I’ve told you, there are countless scholarships, money, and tuition benefits offered to Green Card holders or Citizens - and no, I’m not saying that I’m entitled to it, I’m just saying that you can’t waive fingers around saying “Why didn’t you apply to more safety schools or less selective schools”. We did, and that didn’t work. Alabama scholarships or Loyola Chicago scholarships? Awesome. Unfortunately, I only have a 35 and not a 36 so I would be paying around $10k a year.

If I had a Green Card, I would not have applied to 20+ schools, nor would I be scrambling to apply to only highly selective colleges; if I did, shame on me. If I had a GC, I’d right now be committed to UIUC under the Illinois Promise (free tuition). I would have my FAFSA, AND my Pell Grant to give me an almost full ride to my state school

Community College? Also free. Less selective private schools? Probably would’ve gotten into those too. There’s less a burden to afford me than someone who doesn’t have all these financial aid benefits.

" If there is no acceptance from anywhere other than the CC and local state school, IMO, part-time school is the way to go and, yes, there is forfeiture of first year benefits that extend for years."

Part-time school to forfeit first-year benefits (in my case, FREE tuition and almost a full ride to my state schools) is pretty lackluster and I think would be a shortcoming for anyone in a similar situation and residency as mine who plans to do so. I’m speaking from my perspective as an Illinois HS student.

“But then if Green Card Status is obtained, PELL and Direct Loan funds become available. That’s all kids in a lot of states have in terms of financial aid, and many do not have ready transportation to their schools.”

That’s “all” kids in a lot of states have in terms of financial aid? FAFSA, Pell, and state scholarships is “all” most kids have? That makes a world of a difference between being able to attend and not being able to attend. Being lower-class isn’t just living in a smaller house and “only” making $80K a year, for some of us, even a few thousand dollars means being able to afford college. I hope my reply doesn’t come across as accusatory or personally attacking, I just think some things should be clarified and straightened out.