hey guys, just need some help here!

mom2collegekids
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:43:29 +0000

my dream schools: middlebury, hamilton,denison…dickinson…
important issues---- I am goin for LAC only… if you guys can suggest some LAC(safety)
I have to apply for the need-based n im an international student.

Since you’re an int’l that needs financial aid, **you’re handicapping yourself **by only considering LACs. What are you going to do in the spring, if none of your LACs come close to meeting your need? You need to apply to a couple of financial safety schools that are either inexpensive or will give money to int’ls - even if they aren’t LACs. When you’re an int’l student who needs aid, you can’t be so picky that you may end up with nothing that is affordable. :(

Also…keep in mind that your family doesn’t decide what your “need” is. Do you know what your family’s EFC is?

Your M+CR SAT is 1300. That is high enough for merit at some schools that give merit to int’l students. You need to apply to a couple of those schools - even if they aren’t LACs. Some of those schools might have honors colleges or other “LAC -like” programs that will give you that “feel”.

BTW…how much financial aid do you need? If you’ll need a lot, then typically only the top elites can meet that level of need for int’ls. How much can your family contribute? If their contribution is less than their EFC, that will be an additional issue.