Match American citizen living in India [rank 1, IGCSE 8A*, A-level predicted 4A*, 1A, 1560 SAT, <$10k; physics / math]

Chance Me / Match Me
83

The university itself says this, however:

84

oh I didnā€™t know that. I didnā€™t see the word needblind anywhere in the website so I didnā€™t know. Thanks, but Northwestern is kind of my dream school rn.

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85

Thanks, everyone. I have applied for the early cycle and am keeping my fingers crossed. These are the universities I applied to:

  1. Northwestern (ED)
  2. Case Western reserve
  3. Northeastern
  4. University of Virginia
  5. University of Miami
  6. University of Minnesota Morris
  7. Rollins
  8. University of Alabama
  9. Reed.

I will apply to Tulane in the next 2 days. For the Rd cycle, this is my plan:

  1. Grinnel (ED2)
  2. Hamilton
  3. Emory
  4. UChicago (already done with my essays)
  5. Brandeis
  6. Rochester
  7. Lafayette

I am also looking at a few colleges to be applying for any competitive scholarships. Which ones can I do a good job at? I already have Washington and Leeā€™s and Ohio stateā€™s

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86

Hi, I got my FAFSA processed and received a SAI of 7150. I know that NPCs are more accurate estimators of aid, but given my unique circumstances I would like to know is 7150 is enough to bring down COA to less than $20000 per year.

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87

A relatively low SAI suggests that you are likely to get substantial financial aid at colleges that give it and do not disqualify you for some reason (e.g. out-of-state at many public universities, uncooperative divorced parents at schools that require both parentsā€™ financials, etc.). But the best estimate for each school would be the schoolā€™s net price calculator.

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88

If you need $20k a year why not add Alabama. If they take your score at 3.5 or higher and you are a US citizen, you will have it as a safety valve. Or UAH, W Carolina, Ms State. W Carolina is $20k fir US citizens regardless of GPA.

No one can assure you from a FAFSA at schools that use CSS that you can hit a certain price point. FAFSA is not a consideration at the top privates.

If you truly need to be here and at a certain price, please include a school that removes all doubt just in case.

Btw your title says 10k.

89

Yes!

Just anecdotal, but I have seen a number of kids report a very low SAI, and then they run the NPCs and they are getting wildly variable results even from ā€œmeets needā€ colleges, with some maybe looking like possibilities, but others not.

This is not actually a surprise given that at least CSS Profile schools may well consider different factors or use substantially different formulas, and in certain cases may get very different results.

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90

We saw this yesterday actually (both you and I) with a person from Illinois based on rental income. Totally turned the SAI on its head - wasnā€™t even close.

The best way to ā€œassureā€ an affordable school is to apply to one that has assured admission and assured affordability on full cost (including auto merit) and not simply hoping a difficult school

  1. Admits you
  2. Meets your price

Both 1 and 2 in that table are never assured.

91

Yeah, I was not quite as aware of my familyā€™s financial situation as I believed. I got admitted to the University of Alabama. Scholarship details not out yet, so hoping for it.

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92

most npcs are fine. Why I am worried is that my situation is a bit different than most (Us citizen in India)

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93

This is a lot of work but since it is important, you can also try contacting their Financial Aid offices and explain your concerns about your circumstances. They might provide you with assurances the NPC should be accurate, or alternatively give you a more reliable estimate than the NPC.

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94

If you donā€™t get the max, call and ask why. Max will be $28k and requires a 3.5.

Also fil out the supplemental scholarship app when it opens for you. It might have already.

UAH will be a much smaller school you might prefer. Also under $20k assuming they give you gpa credit.

Itā€™s bigger than your list but likely much preferable for you than Bama which is a behemoth size wise.

95

At meet need universities it means your family would have to pay ~$7,000, so, yes, under $20,000.
At universities that donā€™t meet need, itā€™s luck of the draw.

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96

Filled the supplemental scholarship app. Can I apply to UAH outside the common app?
I am coming really close to the 20 universities limit and donā€™t think my school will create a coalition account again. Also, do you have any idea when scholarship details will be announced? I already filled my supplemental app

97

Northwestern (my ed) told me it is accurate. Rice explicitly told me not to trust theirs.

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98

Bama is auto merit. If they take your gpa as a 3.5, the scholarship should have been in your letter. At least it used to be.

Yes stand alone apply.

https://uah.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2FApply

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99

If they meet need based on FAFSA SAI. Many colleges that claim to meet need have calculations of need that are different from the calculation of FAFSA SAI. Hence the collegesā€™ net price calculators need to be used.

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100

Everyone> Thanks for the help. I got in to Northwestern. But the scholarship they are offering is much lower than what npc suggested and what I can afford. What should I do? the difference is huge

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101

You need to contact Northwestern Financial aid and communicate with the financial aid advisor for your region. You said that NU said their NPC was accurate. Did you send them the results, or just assume that it would be accurate based on what you entered!

Do you have the NPC results which you can share with them? Ask why there is such a large difference.

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102

Yes, I have the results. I only asked them if the net price calculator would be accurate in my context and they agreed.

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