I am trying to make a realistic college list and keep seeing people talk about need blind colleges for international students, but every site says something slightly different and now I am confused.
From what I understand, some schools are need-blind for internationals but only a tiny number actually meet full demonstrated need, and then other schools are technically need-aware but still give strong aid. So I do not know what matters more when building a list.
If you already went through this, how did you separate:
- schools that are truly need-blind for international applicants
- schools that are need-aware but still generous
- schools that say they give aid but realistically do not give enough
Also, is it smarter to focus only on the very small group of need-blind colleges, or apply to a wider mix of generous schools and just hope one works out?
I would really appreciate any current list, spreadsheet, or even just the schools you found worth researching. I am full-pay nowhere, so I am trying not to waste application fees on places that look promising but are basically impossible financially.