@MHRKHNH
UMN-Morris would meet what you want, but your son would need a merit scholarship. It’s worth a try: smaller, with lots of contact with professors, excellent CS.
Universities in Maine may also work, because they’re looking for students. UMaine Orono and UMaine in Portland/Gorham (they’re changing names, not sure they’ve done it already, they used to be University of Southern Maine) is strong and has a very nice campus.
St Michael’s and Champlain MIGHT offer sufficient financial aid.
In the UK, no need for the SAT so his board results in Class X, XI, XII would be all that matters. U Edinburgh, Strathclyde, or Aberdeen would be possible reaches. Stirling, Edinburgh-Napier, and Abertay would round out your choices.
Yes, it is this year. And we know we are running out of time extremely quickly. The good thing is the college application is complete. Also, we are prepared to give up the scholarship for the first year- considering the timeline and the clause of “being acceptance” to apply for a scholarship
I am not sure which college decision can be taken lightly because no college we have researched has got anything 100%. Especially for foreign students, this is a bargain and we must accept it with the associated risks. However, as many others have suggested I have spoken to a few private college counselors here and we will definitely take their advice.
Thank you everyone for all your advice, especially the plan B- we are strongly thinking of TU Delft- it is in Europe but the fees are suitable and the programme is good, plus they consider school/board marks and not SAT etc. There are other colleges we are considering as well- Wooster is one of them. We are also thinking of beginning college in India and then maybe going as a transfer student next year- but this decision only after April by when we will have got replies from most colleges in the US. and we have India as the fall back plan as well. In India admissions begin in May-June so we will have enough time to make a decision.
Thanks, we’ve added UMN -Morris and application is also done. we’re looking at other U’s you’ve suggested. In the UK except U Edinburgh, we researched most others, didn’t find the CS programme the most lucrative, though my son will talk to his counselor and take his opinion once.
Strathclyde is one of the top universities for engineering. Edinburgh Napier and Abertay are safeties so by definition they’re easier to get into than the others but professional outcomes in Scotland are good and the country is actively trying to attract students and immigrants.
It sounds like you have a good plan moving forward.
Regarding transferring to US colleges, know that financial aid packages are typically lower for transfers as compared to those of incoming freshman…meaning you can not count on receiving the same aid as a transfer that your S may receive as a freshman from US schools he is accepted to this spring.
So - yes the midwest is pretty wide open, flat farmland without lots of people, and not too many lakes, rivers, hills, and no mountains or beaches. The flagship colleges in these areas are designed mostly to take care of the students in these rural states; but that does not mean the quality is lacking. There’s just a wide-range of kids at these schools because there are not a lot of other options!
I’m going to suggest looking at University of Nebraska at Omaha for computer science. Omaha is a pretty decent size town, and there’s a good vibe going on with tech at UNO. Perhaps scholarship season is still going on . . . .???
@aquapt - I’m in the midwest; I’ve agreed with so many of your posts lately.
One other resource you might want to be aware of is the National Domestic Exchange program. A few of the schools he’s considering do participate. (MN-Morris, U of Wyoming. Not SD Mines though.) This program could give him the opportunity to spend up to a full year on exchange at another participating US university. https://www.nse.org/exchange/colleges-universities/alpha-location/?r=1&z=1#homeinfo At best, you pay your home campus’ tuition and fees; at worst you pay in-state costs for the school you’re visiting. (So, for example, he could potentially spend a year at UMass at the in-state rate, which wouldn’t otherwise be available to you.)
When considering somewhere a bit “off the beaten path,” this possibility to get some variety and perhaps experience a school in a completely different region, that’s too expensive to consider for 4 years, might sweeten the deal a bit.
This looks like a very good option, if it can happen. Thank you for this information. For foreign parents and students like us, such insights are rare and extremely helpful, especially because we are grappling with a number of things as an outsider. Can’t thank you enough:-)
My son got a reply from Ohio Wesleyan with a good scholarship and financial aid. He really likes OWU overall, but - anyone with first hand info or any insights on the CS programme at OWU?
Desi international students who come to study in the US often have troubles assimilating. It will be especially difficult going to places in the midwest and small college towns.
Colleges on the east coast (NY/NJ/PA/DC) and west coast (bay area) and other big cities (Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta) would be better choices from a pure cultural assimilation standpoint. But I do understand that your primary motive is getting a good education for your child.
The US education system is tilted heavily towards parents who can pay. Those who cannot pay in full are at the mercy of the respective college to give out aid. The unfortunate thing is that there are plenty of other desis within the US who are willing to shell out full price to pay. Even outside of the US, there are lots of other desi families who can afford full sticker price. So the bottom line is that it is very very difficult for international indian families to get financial aid to attend a US college. There are some exceptions of course, but these are usually kids who are international olympiad gold medalists, varsity athletes, etc. Unfortunately your child’s application will probably be shuffled to the bottom of the pile at the elite US colleges.
But it looks like Ohio Wesleyan is showing some interest in your son. This is good news. If he gets enough financial aid to attend, it might be worth considering.
What are your son’s long term goals? Does he want to go back to India after college? Or does he want to stay in the US? If he wants to stay, then please do realize that getting a green card is not easy. If he wants to go back to India, then paying all of this money to study in the US probably won’t be worth it.