Hi, I’m an international student, frosh after gap year, who’s gotten into St Eds, Purdue and Drexel for Computer Science.
Here’s the breakdown of each offer:
St Eds: $31 000
Purdue: $56 000
Drexel: $53 000
Parent max contribution < $20 000
St Eds Pros: - Is in Austin ( good tech scene )
- Small school, tight knit community
- Great professors
- paid internships
- success coaches
- Got into the honors program
Cons: -Not well known
Online reviews say the same education can be gotten cheaper elsewhere
Purdue Pros: - Great International reputation ( good for international students )
- Great student clubs and organisations
- well known CS program
- close to family
Cons: - does not give scholarships to international students
- admitted to Indianapolis campus and not the main campus
Drexel Pros: - well known
- Lots of internship possibilities
- lots students clubs and organizations
- good CS program
Con: not enough scholarships
All are good schools and my parents are looking for the best option in my chosen field for me but money is a significant factor. For that reason, St Eds is my first choice but I’m looking for different opinions to help me pick.
Do you have any affordable options without loans? As an international student, you will need to show proof of funds before getting your student visa.
These three schools are very very different from each other.
St. Eds is tiny and Catholic, in the Brothers of the Holy Cross tradition. There are a lot of required ben ed classes. They are best known for being strong for students who want to become teachers. I would be concerned about the depth of available CS classes there.
The Indy campus of Purdue does not have the same opportunities and experiences as main campus in W. Lafayette. I would also want to understand what CS classes are available in Indy. (The Indy campus is new as of last year so I don’t have much information as my D graduated the year before).
Drexel is a mandatory co-op school. It gives you the opportunity to earn money and hopefully contribute to paying for your education. I would encourage talking to the Drexel office of international students to understand the impact of being an international student in getting a co-op. There were challenges for my D’s friends who were international at Purdue and my sense is that it’s going to be getting worse, not better.
Unfortunately, I don’t see how any of these schools are affordable. My understanding is that you need to have your finances in order for all four years before you can get a student visa.
Do you have affordable options in your home country?
So your parents can show 20k from income and savings - can they secure 12k in loans, each year? You will need to show that for the first year and a letter from your bank wrt stability of income and loan agreement.
Is St Edwards better than universities that admitted you at home?
Are you comfortable with Catholic imagery (crucifixes on walls, a chapel on campus) and the core requirements?
The Purdue-Indy campus is not the same as the main campus and way too expensive so it’s easy to cross out.