Appendix: School Lists

How to Use This Appendix#

The lists below are organized by category to help you find schools that match your specific needs. Schools may appear in multiple lists. Always verify current policies on each school's official website, as policies can change from year to year.

My TOP 30 Recommended Schools for International Students#

If you only have time to research a handful of schools, start here. These are the 30 I recommend most for international students chasing full scholarships — they combine strong aid for internationals, real support once you're on campus, and a track record of admitting students from outside the US:

• Williams College
• Wesleyan University
• Bowdoin College
• Swarthmore College
• Macalester College
• Haverford College
• College of the Holy Cross
• Amherst College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Vanderbilt University
• Grinnell College
• Carleton College
• Colgate University
• Northwestern University
• University of Chicago
• Tufts University
• Bates College
• Colby College
• Kenyon College
• Franklin & Marshall College
• Skidmore College
• Denison University
• Reed College
• Whitman College
• Pitzer College
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Lehigh University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Deep Springs College

Schools With No SAT Requirement#

These schools do not require SAT or ACT scores for admission (test-free or test-optional policies that have held long-term).

My top 10 in this category:

1. Amherst College
2. Bowdoin College
3. Princeton University
4. Columbia University
5. Williams College
6. Swarthmore College
7. Pomona College
8. Middlebury College
9. Vassar College
10. Hamilton College

More schools with no SAT requirement:

• Washington University in St. Louis
• Vanderbilt University
• Wesleyan University
• University of Rochester
• Connecticut College
• Union College
• Mount Holyoke College
• Bryn Mawr College
• Denison University
• Reed College
• Whitman College
• Colorado College
• Case Western Reserve University
• University of Richmond
• Bates College
• Colby College
• Trinity College
• Kenyon College
• Oberlin College
• Macalester College
• Franklin & Marshall College
• College of the Holy Cross
• Lafayette College
• Skidmore College
• Haverford College
• Grinnell College
• Carleton College
• Colgate University
• Davidson College
• Washington & Lee University
• Rice University
• Northwestern University
• University of Chicago
• Tufts University

Schools With No English Proficiency Test Required#

These schools may waive or do not require TOEFL, IELTS, or other English proficiency tests under certain conditions (such as studying in English for several years):

• Williams College
• Bowdoin College
• Swarthmore College
• Macalester College
• Wesleyan University
• Duke University
• Colorado College
• Wellesley College

Note: Even schools that "require" English proficiency tests often grant waivers. Always ask if you think you qualify.

Schools With No CSS Profile Fee#

These schools either do not use the CSS Profile or provide automatic fee waivers for the CSS Profile:

• Whitman College
• Pitzer College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Vanderbilt University
• Wesleyan University
• Bates College
• Colby College
• Kenyon College
• Oberlin College
• Macalester College
• Franklin & Marshall College
• College of the Holy Cross
• Skidmore College
• Denison University
• Reed College
• Barnard College
• Haverford College
• Grinnell College
• Carleton College
• Colgate University
• Washington & Lee University
• Northwestern University
• University of Chicago
• Tufts University
• Berea College
• Amherst College
• Bowdoin College
• Dartmouth College
• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• Stanford University
• Williams College
• Swarthmore College
• Pomona College

Some of these schools use the ISFAA (which is free) instead of the CSS Profile.

Schools With No Application Fee#

These schools do not charge an application fee:

• Connecticut College
• Union College
• Mount Holyoke College
• Bryn Mawr College
• Wellesley College
• Smith College
• Denison University
• Reed College
• Case Western Reserve University
• Colorado College
• Berea College
• Grinnell College
• Carleton College
• Davidson College
• Bates College
• Colby College
• Kenyon College
• Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences
• Macalester College
• Skidmore College

Schools With High Early Decision Acceptance Rates#

Applying Early Decision can significantly increase your chances of admission. Here are schools with the highest ED acceptance rates (grouped roughly by overall selectivity):

• Haverford College — 30%
• Dartmouth College — 20%
• Northwestern University — 18%
• Vanderbilt University — 18%
• Pomona College — 18%
• Duke University — 17%
• Johns Hopkins University — 16%
• University of Pennsylvania — 15%
• Brown University — 14%
• Columbia University — 11%
• Washington University in St. Louis — 35%
• Emory University — 30%
• Wellesley College — 30%
• Bates College — 28%
• Davidson College — 28%
• Barnard College — 28%
• Williams College — 28%
• Colby College — 27%
• Bowdoin College — 26%
• Swarthmore College — 22%
• College of the Holy Cross — 67%
• Skidmore College — 41%
• Smith College — 40%
• Wesleyan University — 36%
• Grinnell College — 35%
• Colorado College — 35%
• Washington & Lee University — 35%
• Hamilton College — 32%
• Amherst College — 30%
• Middlebury College — 30%

Note: These percentages are approximate and vary by year. Always check the most current data.

Schools With Full Scholarships for Nursing#

International students interested in nursing can find full scholarship opportunities at these schools:

• Berea College
• University of Pennsylvania
• Emory University
• University of Miami (Stamps Scholarship)
• University of Virginia (Jefferson and Walentas Scholarship)

Nursing programs can be competitive, and not all of these schools guarantee full funding for nursing specifically. Research each school's nursing program and financial aid policies.

Schools for Women#

These are women's colleges that offer strong financial aid and academic programs:

• Barnard College
• Bryn Mawr College
• Mount Holyoke College
• Scripps College
• Smith College
• Wellesley College

Women's colleges often have smaller class sizes, strong alumnae networks, and generous financial aid for international students. Do not overlook them.

Schools With High Acceptance Rates#

If you are looking for schools that are less competitive but still offer strong financial aid for international students, here are 30 to consider — grouped into three tiers of 10:

Top 10:

1. University of Richmond
2. College of the Holy Cross
3. Smith College
4. Carleton College
5. Berea College
6. Colorado College
7. Vassar College
8. Denison University
9. Pitzer College
10. Wesleyan University

Next 10:

1. Lafayette College
2. Kenyon College
3. Bryn Mawr College
4. Trinity College (CT)
5. Case Western Reserve University
6. Macalester College
7. Reed College
8. Franklin & Marshall College
9. Lehigh University
10. Skidmore College

Plus 10 more:

1. Thomas Aquinas College
2. Soka University of America
3. Whitman College
4. Union College
5. University of Rochester
6. Connecticut College
7. Mount Holyoke College
8. Brandeis University
9. Scripps College
10. Oberlin College

Note: Higher acceptance rate does not mean these schools will offer full financial aid to international students. Research each school's aid policies carefully. Some of these schools are more generous than others.

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