It is always much more difficult to get financial aid for international students than it is for local students (Americans in the US, UK citizens in the UK, etc), and getting a full financial aid package can be difficult. However, it also depends on the universities you are applying to. Though most universities in the US are need-aware for international students (meaning they take into consideration how much financial aid you need, and your financial need is factored into their decision), many of them still have significant financial aid packages. This takes a bit of research.
At CAMP, we often encourage mentees to heavily research their schools and consider applying ED to a university that, while need-aware, states that it has financial aid for internationals. Applying ED and showing commitment to the university can help an applicant's chances of receiving financial aid.
UK schools give very limited financial aid to international students, and even the most comprehensive are not as comprehensive as some US schools. Please contact us directly so we can connect you with our UK mentors - they know more about these things than the admin of this page do (we are all US-based).
Yes, scholarships are much more difficult to find in the UK, and there is typically very limited financial aid for international students. However, it is not unheard of. I am unsure of the specifics, but if you message CAMP privately on facebook, we can connect you directly with our UK mentors.
Applying to Oxbridge, or any UK university for that matter, is very different than applying to the US because they have completely different requirements. A levels are exams most high schoolers typically take at the end of their senior year, similar to the IB exams. Unlike in the US where you can enter university as an undeclared major, in the UK you choose what major you want to apply to. CAMP has mentors specifically for applications to universities in the UK, so if you're serious about applying there, apply for a mentor by the April 15 deadline!
No.
1) No, the only disadvantage would be that if you take it too late during your senior year, e.g. November or December, you will have no choice but to send whatever score you receive. You'll also have to send your score without knowing what score you got, because scores are received at least 2 weeks after you take the test, and you need to send your scores in time for colleges to see them.
2) We are applications on a rolling basis, with the next set deadline on April 15!
If you applied by February 15, you should be hearing back this week.
Depends on what kind of experience you're looking for! There are a lot of factors that you need to consider (e.g. academics, activities, homesickness, the weather). Do more research on both universities to see where you feel that you "fit" in more, and which offers programs that you are confident you will grow most in.
Yes, that's still okay. SAT scores are valid for 5 years after you receive your score. However, note that you are recommended to only take the SAT 3 times. Most people take it during their junior year because that's when they feel most academically prepared, and opt to take the PSAT during their sophomore year to gauge how well they think they may do in the actual SAT.
Hi! No, we look at your application in its entirety (this includes academic competitiveness, extra-curriculars, writing ability, ambition)
There appears to be a Filipino student club at UM! Check it out here:
http://www.umfasa.org/. Yes, it's a really good school!