<p>Why is it so hard?</p>
<p>It’s a matter of numbers. Each place in an exclusive college has a large number of applicants who wish to take it. For a college that has a less than 10% acceptance rate, there are at least 10 applicants who want that place, and many of them are qualified. In addition, colleges seek a diverse student body, so they choose applicants with a variety of backgrounds. </p>
<p>For all applicants, the chances of acceptance at a selective college is unpredictable, and also depends on how many other applicants with similar achievement and background apply too. So if you are the top applicant in your country, that may be a better chance than if you were one of 100 good applicants- but regardless, every applicant is one of many more who are all hoping to get a place in a college that doesn’t have room for all good applicants. </p>
<p>Many colleges accept international students- but how much financial support they can offer them can vary. For many colleges, some financial aid comes from US taxpayer funding that isn’t available for international students. I am not certain of the laws about this but I expect that few governments offer paid schooling to non- citizens in many countries. Some colleges may be more flexible with this if they have endowments to support students from any country.</p>
<p>Nobdy can tell you what to do to make sure you get a place in a college that will offer you full financial aid- because it isn’t possible to say this for any student. </p>
<p>The advice is the same for all students: apply to your reach colleges if you feel you are qualified. Do your very best in school.</p>
<p>…and you must also apply to colleges with a range of selectivity. Be sure you apply to some colleges that you are likely to be accepted at. Apply to colleges that you can afford.</p>
<p>And then, hope for the best.</p>