Do i stand for a chance?

cptofthehouse
Tue, 08 Aug 2006 12:28:11 +0000

My personal opinion which has evolved from financial aid packages I have seen from similar school for the same student, is that ED students should not apply ED, and if they do so, they understand that there is that risk of a package that does not meet your needs could be offered. There is also the complicating issue that you are an international student which makes you ineligible for government grants, loans and programs. I do not know Smith’s policy for international students, but many schools have very limited funds set aside for that category. I suggest you e-mail Smith’s financial aid office and ask how you stand for financial aid, given that you are an international student. That may make all of the ED/RD talk dilemma moot. I believe there are only small number of schools that accept international students on a need blind basis. Also there are schools that do offer generous scholarships that do include international students. You may want to get a list of those schools before you compile your list if you need a considerable amount of financial aid. I don’t believe you can even get a student visa to study here unless you can show how you are going to pay for your education, so that is a critical part of your application process.

Going back to ED, although you can back out of an ED contract for insufficient aid reasons, it is really a hassle. You’re getting close to the holiday season at that point when the admissions office is bombarded with paperwork. And Smith does put your name on the ED list that is circulated to other colleges, so you app can be dropped at those institutions even before you notify them that you are back in the running. Yes, it can all be fixed, but there are always complications, mistakes and problems, and when you are going against a tide (the ED rules), the chances of mishaps increase.

If you want to study in the US, it would be wise to research financial aid rules at various colleges, and according prepare your list. You may need more schools on it than most kids because your selectivity index is going to be much lower than a US students because of the aid issue.