<p>Hello,
I am from Nepal, and I am currently thinking of applying to UVa. Before starting on everything else, I want to make it clear that I can’t afford UVa unless I receive Jeferson Scholars’ full ride.
Of course, my school is not listed as one that gets to nominate a prospective Jefferson Scholar. So I guess the university will automatically consider me for the scholarship as it has stated in its website. But what I want to know is how true the university’s commitment to actually consider int’l applicants for JS is. I checked JS’ website and found that for the class of 2017, none of the JS recipient was an int’l student. (check this link: [Jefferson</a> Scholars Foundation | Jefferson Scholars Class of 2017](<a href=“http://www.jeffersonscholars.org/undergraduate_program/jefferson-scholars-class-of-2017/]Jefferson”>http://www.jeffersonscholars.org/undergraduate_program/jefferson-scholars-class-of-2017/))</p>
<p>If it does (has) select(ed) int’l students, could you tell me normally how many int’l students are selected each year?
I understand that it is already late to apply for this year’s program, but anyways, I’m thinking of applying the next year.
Also, the website says the average SAT was 2271 for last year’s recipients. Currently, mine is 2180, but I hope to improve it in the next test. (consider my SAT 1 to be above 2300.) My subject tests are 800 in Math2, 770 in Math1, and 780 in Physics. I might take Chem, and re-take Physics (if need be). I don’t have any significant awards as of yet, but I hope to rank in the top 10 of my country’s annual Enginnering Entrance Examination, which is taken by well over 15,000 students each year.
Do you think I should bother applying to UVa, given my lack of financial resources and all? Please tell me directly whether it’s possible for an int’l student to receive this award or not. I emailed the university but they tell you nothing but vague “int’ls are encouraged to apply”.</p>
<p>In 2015 there was an international student.
<a href=“http://www.jeffersonscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/Undergrad-Fact-Sheet-11-12.pdf[/url]”>http://www.jeffersonscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/Undergrad-Fact-Sheet-11-12.pdf</a></p>
<p>There were 3 the year before.
[Jefferson</a> Scholars’ Class of 2014 Announced | UVA Today](<a href=“http://news.virginia.edu/content/jefferson-scholars-class-2014-announced]Jefferson”>Jefferson Scholars' Class of 2014 Announced | UVA Today)</p>
<p>Please read those pages so you can see what kind of students receive this scholarship. They are very accomplished both before and after college. You said you have no significant awards and I can honestly say you really have little chance if that is true. Look at these people who win - they have done amazing things before getting to UVA and they go on to do more amazing things. You are welcome to apply and I wish you luck but I am not sure how much of a chance you have. Your SAT I score is low and it doesn’t seem like you fit the profile.</p>
<p>I am not affiliated with UVA.</p>
<p>I am not a UVa official. If you want to officially hear from an admissions rep, you can post on the UVa admissions blog. The Jefferson Scholarships are decided upon by a separate organization.</p>
<p>If you really really want to study in the US, I believe your best odds are to apply to multiple colleges that offer substantial merit aid to international students. In some cases, that may be US colleges that have few current international students, but want to attract more. I’d spend some time on the International student part of this website to find some applicable colleges. UVa emphasizes need-based aid for US students, but has very little merit aid. There are many other colleges that primarily offer merit based aid. However, most merit aid offers cover a range of 1/4 to all of tuition. </p>
<p>If you can’t afford travel, room, board, books and personal expenses, it still may not be affordable. </p>
<p>There are some other US colleges that won’t even accept an international student unless the student can show they have financial resources to attend. </p>
<p>If a US undergrad education is not affordable, it may be in your best interests to go to undergrad in a less expensive country (and where air fare may be cheaper), and then aim towards attending a grad school in the US. Depending upon your field, there may be more opportunities to work your way through a US grad school by being a teaching assistant or research assistant. Also, at the more expensive US universities, tuition for many fields is often lower for grad school than undergrad (except for law, medicine and business). In some fields at some affluent US universities, some grad students get a full waiver of their tuition. </p>
<p>Many international exchange students also attend UVa for a semester.</p>
<p>The email addresses of our international admission officers are on our website (see the page I’m linking to below). They’ll be happy to talk to you if you reach out to them. College Confidential is a fabulous forum, but it isn’t the best place to look for admission officers. :)</p>
<p>[U.Va</a>. Office of Undergraduate Admission | International Admission](<a href=“http://admission.virginia.edu/international]U.Va”>http://admission.virginia.edu/international)</p>