<p>Why wouldn’t they want an Alabama kid? That’s pure hokum. </p>
<p>Just not my type of school. Not a good arts program. </p>
<p>I’ve already toured it since my mom went there two years. </p>
<p>What is your home state anyway?</p>
<p>I’m from Florida.</p>
<p>I’m also in the top 12% of my class. </p>
<p>Am I to take it that UF wasn’t for you?</p>
<p>I like UF and FSU. Only Florida schools I’m looking at. </p>
<p>My dad got into Cornell with a 1260 on the old SAT and okay grades… I wish it was still the 80s and his parents let him go. </p>
<p>Why don’t you go to the library and order the book, “What it It Really Takes to Get into the Ivy League” by Chuck Hughes and “A is for ADmissions” by Michelle Hernandez. They are dated, but it gives you a good idea what these schools focus upon and what kind of ECs that catch their eyes and make a difference. Rather than coming up with a shotgun approach and throwing in everything you can think of, you can show piece some things and put together a good profile for highly selective schools. </p>
<p>I can tell you right now, colleges HATE mood disorders and problems as they all have to cope with them in huge numbers with young adults and they would love to screen out those who have them from the onset unless the person has dealt with them so spectacularly that it makes their eyes pop. Getting the top of the top grades, and being the top of the top IN SPITE of challenges is what counts. No excuses for not getting there. Brooke Ellison is a quadraplegic who got into Harvard, but her academic profile was top notch-- the most difficult level of high school courses, Westinghouse Sieman entrant, near perfect SATs and grades, PLUS her devastating injury that makes her care and even very breath precarious. That so few quads can make that cut is what made her Harvard material, not her condition and maladies. </p>
<p>Yes, all student, my son included just want to get into somewhere good with nice scholarships. But "good’ is subjective. Nice scholarships, especially merit ones, big awards, mean finding a school where your stats are top notch among the student body. Look up how many are given–if there are 20, you gotta be one of the top 20 in that pool to get one of those, not be crossing your fingers you are even going to get accepted. Ivies do not give merit money–you get in, any money breaks are totally based on financial need. Parents have the income and money according to their own formulas, you don’t get a dime even if you are the most stupendous candidate of all time. </p>
<p>Also, though sports are great ECs to fill up the spaces and show that you are active in your school community, unless you are a recruited athlete, it doesn’t add much to your points for admissions at highly selective schools. Even being that good, able to compete on the team doesn’t guarantee you a spot–one of mine was a national athlete and he only applied to schools where his stats were in the ball park, and it was still touch and go. No Yale for him and his stats were better than yours. Vandy and CMU would have taken him though. </p>
<p>Also do some research on the schools before bandying the names around. It’s clear you haven’t a clue how CMU is set up. That will kill you in the app process. You are expected to know the schools and where you fit in there and make that case. i’ve seen kids write great essays on how they want to major in business at schools with no such major or department. Big fat fail right there.</p>
<p>So you’re saying I have no hope? Thanks. I already have dealt with enough stress in my life and I have gotten through ALL OF IT. </p>
<p>I have a learning disability associated with mathematics. I also was diagnosed with mild autism. </p>
<p>No hope? Read what I wrote. First of all figure out what your parents are expected to pay with EFC estimators. If you get a big number there, you aren’t likely at all to get financial aid. Ask what they are willing to pay per year. That’s your nut right there. You need to look at schools that cost that amount, and/or have merit awards that you have a decent chance of getting to bring down the cost. No–if your family come up being able to pay $70K+ a year, the chances are zilch that Yale or any school will give you financial aid, and the Ivies do NOT give out merit money. CMU and Vanderbilt do, and you can look at what they offer (CMU has very limited awards, but women in STEM is a category that they do fund somewhat). They are within range for you, but the chances are not great because a lot more students with a shot for that money are going to go for it than there are funds. </p>
<p>The average college student commutes, works part time at least and goes to college part time and is in his/her mid 20s. If you can get better than that , you are privileged. Sleep away college, private school are luxuries. Are you going to a private boarding school right now? Why not, if not? Same rules apply to college, but there are more chances to get there., but absolutely no entitlement.</p>
<p>I’m assuming you are a Junior? How are your IB classes going? Don’t forget to take subject tests in June if you haven’t already signed up for them. Sounds like you are a pretty solid candidate. If the europe trip was scholarship trip of some kind, that could be huge. Do you mind expounding on that? That could be a great “essay”. How it changed your life. Sounds like if you have a killer essay, you’re chances are good. You have certainly overcome a lot of odds, which is what they are looking for.</p>
<p>I am a junior. My IB classes are going well. I’m taking subject tests in Sept. and my tests again to raise my score.</p>
<p>And I’m sorry for cptofthehouse, I just never got a straight forward answer. College admission frustrate me because I’m not as good as everyone else I know. It’s frustrating that I’m not doing as well as them, even though I’m trying my hardest. </p>
<p>OP, there are literally thousands of colleges in this country. Stop fixating on 10 of them and broaden your horizons. Have you spent any time with the Fiske Guide to Colleges? It is a great way to get a feeling for a college and find places that feel like they might fit for you and be in reach for your stats. It is pretty melodramatic to draw a conclusion of “no hope” just because you aren’t a strong candidate for the top 10 schools in the country. And stop worrying about “everyone else I know”. You are the one who has to attend, pay for it, and live with the results of your education. Stop worrying about prestige and name brands, and start looking for schools that are a good match for your interests and stats.</p>
<p>Also, when you fill out the FA forms, be sure you indicate to the FA office when your survivor social security benefits will or have stopped. Put in a note or write a separate letter to the FA office so this is clear and they don’t think this is continuing income.</p>
<p>I’m beginning to sense a ■■■■■ here. I don’t think the OP has the maturity (potentially due to her myriad disorders) to even succeed at a top school and fit in. Consider community college for 2 years.</p>
<p>Honestly, GPA, test scores and consistency are what matter. Your EC’s are all over the place which may not help you get into the Ivies since everything you’ve listed appears extreme and inconsistent. Nothing counts that was done before high school unless it makes “national headlines”. </p>
<p>I am very familiar with ASD and learning disabilities. What has your case manager and counselor indicated to you about your ability to transition to a university setting without regional support? If you haven’t asked them FIRST for help, you’re missing out on a great resource and they can’t help you after you’ve missed deadlines. They will help you contact DSS at the schools you want to attend, to ask about services for you, along with forwarding academic and clinical support. That’s the first thing all of my senior ASD students did to research the schools and, they got into some good schools. Every HS student I have ever worked with (for the past 25 years), has a case manager/counselor for their ASD concerns. Is your case manager aware that this is what you want to do? </p>
<p>My counselor said I have been improving socially and my transition to a private college seems the best for me. No UCF or Arizona State. </p>
<p>My counselor said it’s better to have EC: that you’ve been involved with a while than a billion you were part of for a year. </p>