<p>I am in a critical situation. I am a student with stellar academic records, outstanding talent and achievements in sciences, and my dream is to study in the Vagelos molecular life sciences program. This program would be my greatest opportunity ever in life to merge into the world of research. Although the academic credentials are high enough, and I have cared enough for my extracurriculars (both social, and academics), I really feel concerned about the application, because I am an international student with absolutely no chance to finance my education.
Do you think it worth any kind of effort or is it a big waste of time and spirit to apply ED with FA?</p>
<p>uhh … I have to apologise for my style. Reread the thread I think it is too immodest. Please, could you consider the situation? I would be really thankful.</p>
<p>Advice: apply to Harvard and other schools that give financial aid to international students</p>
<p>Penn, if it permits international students who need aid to apply ED (I think it does, but I’m not sure, and this is easy to check), and if it accepts you ED, will give you a financial aid package that, at least as Penn analyzes it, will make it possible for you to go there without excessive loans or starving your family, including transportation and living expenses. You are not required to accept the offer if you think it requires you and your family to pay </p>
<p>So what, exactly is your opportunity cost for applying ED at Penn?</p>
<ul>
<li><p>You can’t apply ED to another college that might be more likely to accept you, with the same or more aid than Penn. That’s possible, although not terribly likely, since the colleges that award the most aid to international students tend to draw a lot of applications from them, and thus are very competitive to get accepted at.</p></li>
<li><p>You can’t apply SCEA to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or Stanford, all of which are among the handful of colleges that might award meaningfully better aid. But your chances of early admission at those schools are much worse than your chances of early admission at Penn.</p></li>
<li><p>Unless you apply to and get accepted by one of the few EA colleges that let you apply simultaneously with an ED application to Penn (this would include Chicago and MIT, and a bunch of state universities but not the most prestigious ones), if you are accepted at Penn you won’t be able to compare financial aid offers between Penn and anyone else before having to say yes or no to Penn. And if you say no to Penn, you can’t go back later and change your mind if no one else gives you as good a deal or better.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I think if you look at these carefully, you will decide that, if you are otherwise a strong candidate for Penn, you are not giving up anything much by applying to Penn ED. If you aren’t a strong candidate, or strong enough, then you should be looking at less competitive schools that might still be interested in funding you as an international.</p>
<p>JHS, I really appreciate your kindness, that you answered so detailed. Thank you very much. </p>
<p>Anyway, do you know dual-degree programs that are similar to the Vagelos moleculal life sciences?</p>
<p>I’m not an international student, but I am a part of the Vagelos MLS program, receiving significant financial aid. After I applied to 10 schools, Penn was the cheapest for me, including the two in-state public schools I applied to. They have a very strong financial aid program, though I am unsure of how it works for international students.</p>
<p>But, if you are as academically qualified as you say, and you’re confident that you would be admitted to penn regular decision, there isn’t a real reason to do ED and risk being able to compare financial aid packages.</p>
<p>Also, side note, if you get into Penn, but not the Vagelos program, just email Ponzy Lu, the head of the program. Typically if you’re a reasonably qualified candidate, even if he didn’t originally offer you a spot, he’ll let you try it out. Be warned though- it’s rigorous, with about a 70% drop out rate. But definitely doable.</p>
<p>Thank you very much, but now my absolute first is the Vagelos, and if the financial aid meets 100% of my need, I am sure that it is the best for the ED. Or do you know any similar (not dual degree as stated above) double major programs of other (good) schools?</p>