<p>Yup. The financial aid is really tough for international students… sigh. But how exceptional do you have to be? Anyone applying for stanford as an international?</p>
<p>I do think the admissions decision isn’t affected so much whether or not you are applying for aid whatsoever but HOW MUCH you are applying for. I applied for aid but needed at most maybe 10K a year and got in (got 5K), and I think I may be on the lower end of the stats spectrum. </p>
<p>The bottom line, if you really want to go to Stanford and need financial aid, apply for it. There’s no sense to not apply for aid, get in, and have to agonize about how you don’t have the money for it and end up not going.</p>
<p>As far as “how exceptional one has to be”, no clue, because there are no statistics for this. Do keep in mind that Stanford (when compared to the top, top schools) seems to value essays and a personality much more. There’s a reason why the median SAT scores reported on the US News rankings are lower than the Stanford peer institutions.</p>
<p>I’m an international and was given ~$46K in aid per year from Stanford. I also have a partial scholarship from my country. </p>
<p>My SAT wasn’t amazing… I had 2100 (720 math, 700 CR and 680 writing). SAT II - 750 chem, 760 math I and 800 math II. On the other hand, my grades in school were excellent. In my country, we write exams given by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). In Form 5 (equivalent to grade 10), for my CSEC exams I received grades ones in English language, english literature, mathematics, french, physics, chemistry, biology, and an A in GCE’s A/S level mathematics (a one in CSEC is equivalent to an A in O Levels). In lower 6 I received ones in CAPE Unit 1 physics, chemistry, pure mathematics and communication studies and in Upper 6 - Grade ones in CAPE Unit 2 physics, chemistry, pure mathematics and Caribbean studies (a one in CAPE is equivalent to an ‘A’ in GCE A Levels)</p>
<p>My essays were pretty good imo. I really emphasized this physics camp that I had attended last summer. We don’t really do volunteering here, but I took a gap year and taught physics, chemistry and general science at my alma mater (for a salary that was almost non-existent mind you). So with the exception of my SAT score I think I had a pretty good application. I’m only thinking that now that I’ve been accepted though. I didn’t think I would get in initially. lol.</p>
<p>Bear in mind, though, that no one gets in if you can’t express a real desire to attend Stanford. I keep telling my mother that the deciding factor for me getting accepted is that in my “Why Stanford” essay I mentioned something along the lines of “any school that offers a Harry Potter class is a school for me.” (I’m a huge Harry Potter fan :D)</p>
<p>All in all, you need to be just as great as everyone else (or a bit better) and cross your fingers and hope that the admissions officer REALLY likes your application.</p>
<p>If you really want to go to Stanford then apply! Best of luck in the application process!</p>
<p>Thank you, guys! You have been very helpful. I’ll make sure I invest in some time in those essays.</p>
<p>Hello! I’m just trying to offer you what I know, and I’m not sure what the real situation is.
I’m an international applying from the Singapore pool too.
According to a VERY CREDIBLE counselor (maybe the best one), financial aid for internationals is extremely hard.
As long as you indicate you need FA, you are already placed in another pool separate from the rest of applicants. and the chance for that pool is significantly lower.
this is because every year, the university’s budget is set in the previous year. and unfortunately, last year had the worst economic climate.
so if you have any other alternative sources for funding, e.g. scholarship from your own country, i suggest you apply for that.
yup, GOOD LUCK for all of us!
i hope this helps:)</p>
<p>There has been a lot of discussion at Stanford in the past few years about increasing financial aid to International students to make it equivalent to that of domestic students. I don’t know what will happen in coming years, but Stanford does feel an obligation to remain competitive with its counterparts in the Ivy League. </p>
<p>One of Stanford’s core beliefs is that no student should be denied an education because of finances. That belief, of course, must be weighed against a finite reality. </p>
<p>It is all speculation at this time. The trend is for things to get better in coming years in terms of financial aid for all students, but it is doubtful if major changes will occur in 2010.</p>
<p>^ I’ve always wondered this, but what happens to those internationals who didn’t apply for aid if Stanford ever does go to full need-blind status for internationals? Would they be able to apply for aid in subsequent years?</p>
<p>I have a feeling that it won’t, anytime soon. Sayhello:), you are right about the economic crisis. yikes. Would that affect the situation even more severely?</p>
<p>yup, i think last year’s economic crisis really affected this year’s budget.
so next year is likely to get better, since economy is recovering this year.
but after all, these are all just speculations:)
if you are strong enough, you’ll get in, with aid.</p>