<p>Are schools like HPSM (and UC Berkeley) need-blind? Is it going to hurt me that I am applying for financial aid? (I am planning to enroll for PhD in Math).</p>
<p>Grad school support, or lack of same, has little to do with financial need, so it is, indeed, “need blind”.</p>
<p>There are a lot of other differences between undergrad admissions and grad school, so you might start by junking all you know about undergrad things. </p>
<p>You might also review old threads here about prestige, ECs, grades and such. Nothing is the same.</p>
<p>I have heard from a few professors that were I an American, I would have gotten into any school I wanted. But because I’m not, it’s going to hurt me a bit. Then why would they say that? Is it just the fact that I am an international applicant?</p>
<p>Thanks for the answer newmassdad, that makes me feel better!</p>
<p>Some kinds of support that a U might have available can be restricted to US citizens, such as fellowship and training program funds from NSF (for math). This is a tricky area, and others may be able to give more specifics, as I am long away from this area.</p>
<p>But look at it this way: It does not matter. You can’t change anything at this point. You must just make do as best you can. When you consider that 60% of US PhDs in science/math/engineering (so I’ve heard) go to foreigners, folks must be getting support somewhere.</p>