Admission to highly ranked colleges in the USA is very competitive. This can get even more competitive for international students when they are seeking scholarships from the college to fund their studies. International students can do a few things while they are in high school to increase their chances of admission to a US college with scholarship.

Do Well in Academics

Picture By: scui3asteveo

Students must do well in academics to have a shot at getting into the top ranked schools. Grades in high school are very important and are looked at very closely during the admission process.

Take Challenging Classes

Admission counsellors like to see that you took challenging classes in high school. Sign up for advanced classes even if they are optional for you in high school. If you are taking General Math, also take Advanced Math. This will give the impression that you are an above average student and like to go above and beyond what is required. It is not enough to just take advanced classes but one must also do well in those classes.

Take the SAT and TOEFL

Take the SAT and TOEFL and score high on these tests. High scores on these tests can set you apart from other students seeking admission. Many colleges use the SAT score as a criteria for both admission and scholarship decisions. A high score on the TOEFL can also be used to waive some English as a Second Language (ESL) classes that many colleges make mandatory for their international students to take in their first semester.

Participate in Extracurricular Activities

Almost every admission application to a US college will ask you to list your extracurricular activities. A lot of weight is given to an application that shows student involvement in extracurricular activities. Colleges want to admit students that do well in school but who are also active in their communities. So get out there and do something. Get involved in clubs, organizations, do voluntary work, play sports, help in your local soup kitchen. Take on responsibility and leadership roles whenever you can. Showing that you have leadership experience can give a tremendous boost to your admission and scholarship application.

Take the SAT II Subject Tests

Although many colleges do not require the SAT subject tests anymore, it does not hurt to take these tests as it will set you apart from the other applicants. Good scores on these tests will help in getting scholarships.

A handful of these colleges (Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Amherst, etc.) offering need based financial aid to international students are also need blind in their admission decision. This means that your capacity to pay for your education will not factor in the admission decision because these universities have a need blind admission policy. Your chances for admission will remain the same whether you apply for aid or not. Basically if you can get in, the expenses will be taken care of. As you can imagine, the universities and colleges offering need based financial aid to international students is limited and the competition is extremely intense. International students who usually get these scholarships are well accomplished in academics and extracurricular activities. Obtaining a seat in any one of these U.S. colleges will get you through college without any financial worries.

Colleges that offer need based financial aid to international students are:

Amherst College

Brown University

California Institute of Technology

Claremont McKenna College

Columbia University

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Duke University

Georgetown University

Grinnell College

Harvard University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Northwestern University

Pomona College

Princeton University

Rice University

Stanford University

University of Chicago

University of Pennsylvania

University of Richmond

Vassar College

Wellesley College

Williams College

Yale University

This may not be a comprehensive list of all the colleges offering need based financial aid to international students. If you know of other schools that offer similar financial aid, please add it to the comments section.