FA? Please leave thoughts, and chances!

DiveAlive
Wed, 22 Jun 2011 01:56:17 +0000

FA definitely hurts your chances. if it’s possible, do not check off the financial aid box-- you’ll be put in a more competitive pool.

even for supposedly need-blind schools, which mean they don’t take your financial situation into consideration (ie andover, st andrews), i’m wary. don’t apply for FA unless it’s really necessary because i think it’s detrimental. i mean (even with need-blind schools) if andover had 2 applicants who were nearly identical and one needed FA and the other didn’t, i honestly think the one who didn’t need FA would be given preference. however-- need-blind schools are probably more FA-friendly, so be sure to check them out. st andrews is only an option to US citizens though, because they don’t give FA to internationals : (

also, if you’re international and need FA you’re in a different situation altogether. it’s much harder (from what i gather) to get FA if you’re international than if you were a US citizen. even tippity top schools like deerfield admit they have a “very limited financial aid budget for non-U.S. citizens… Deerfield does award financial aid to a few foreign students each year”. chances look grim.

anyway, it looks like you’re very athletic-- i’d contact coaches and maybe send tapes for football and/or soccer. being recruited definitely improves your chances for admittance and getting FA. best of luck!