International Student looking for suggestions

tk21769
Fri, 27 Dec 2013 07:28:18 +0000

What is the OP’s information source for the average percentage of need covered by colleges for international students? The Common Data Set shows the average percentage of determined need that was met of all students who were awarded any need-based aid (see section H2i). However, it does not break out a separate average only for international students.

If the average in CDS/H2i is “100%”, then presumably this includes internationals. However, if that average is less than 100%, it does not necessarily mean that the school does not meet full demonstrated need of all (or some) internationals. It does not make much sense to admit a high-need international without covering all (or most) determined need, since the student cannot even get a visa to study in the USA without demonstrating ability to cover all costs.

However, almost all US colleges are need-aware for internationals. Apparently there are only 6 exceptions (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, MIT, Amherst); they are all probably out-of-reach for her scores. A need-aware school may be meeting, on average, 100% of demonstrated need for internationals … yet rejecting most high-need internationals (even if otherwise qualified).

In my opinion, the additions and deletions indicated above (#24) make sense, although the additions are still quite selective.