A few questions about BU

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston University
1

<p>First, about tuition and aid. I’m an extremely low-income student (below the poverty line, actually), with one living parent, one deceased, and the living one is on disability. I haven’t got any savings for college, as it was all exhausted paying for my father’s medical bills/funeral services. Is it likely that Boston will cover what FAFSA doesn’t?</p>

<p>Second, how many teacher recommendations do they ask for? I’ve only seen them ask for one, the teacher evaluation, from Common App. However, I’ve read on here that they ask for 3-4?</p>

<p>Third, do they give fee waivers for ED students? I can’t afford $75 just to apply…</p>

<p>Finally, I need some feedback on my chances.</p>

<p>My GPA is low (3.1), due to an extremely rough Freshman year, where my GPA was 1.1. My Freshman year was a “special circumstance” that I’ll be informing them of, but after that, my GPA went to 3.5 Sophomore and Junior years, and is now 4.2, weighted.</p>

<p>My current courses are as follows:

  1. AP European History
  2. AP Statistics
  3. AP English
  4. Honors College Algebra
  5. Sociology // Honors American Government
  6. Computer Technology
  7. Debate & Argumentation // Sculpture
  8. French II</p>

<p>I also took College Biology and AP American History last year.</p>

<p>ACT w/ Writing Score: 28 Composite, but I’m retaking it again this month, aiming for a 30+.</p>

<p>As for my personal information, I’m

  • Caucasian
  • Female
  • Not affiliated with any religion
  • Planning to major in English</p>

<p>So I’m not really in line for any minority benefits… Thanks to any responses; I apologize for the length!</p>

2

<p>BU only wants 1 teacher rec.</p>

<p>It's hard to judge your chances, especially without a list of ec's and/or jobs. I'm not sure how far away from your home BU is. Would you be living on campus? BU is (in my experience), very helpful with financial aid, but it won't all be grant money; Some will be loans. And general living expenses can add up if you are living on your own and financially supporting yourself. </p>

<p>I don't know about the waiver. I think that your best bet in general when applying for schools would be to apply for every scholarship you can find. <a href="http://www.fastweb.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.fastweb.com&lt;/a> has many listings for scholarships, some requiring essays and some not. That would probably help you out no matter what school you go to.</p>

<p>Good luck, I have a lot of respect for people pushing themselves ahead.</p>

3

<p>I'm not too involved with extra-curricular activities. As a Junior, I was in Scholar's Bowl, and this year I'm in Scholar's Bowl, Debate, International Club, and the National Engineering and Design Challenge. As for a job, I held one over the summer for awhile, but I quit after a month due to transportation issues.</p>

<p>I live in Kansas currently, so BU is quite a long way; I'd be living in a residence hall, no doubt. I'm not sure about money while I'm in college. I'm supposed to receive benefits from my mother being disabled and my father being deceased, but I've been hearing lately that it doesn't continue in college anymore, just when you turn 18.</p>

<p>Thanks for the link, I'm always looking for new scholarships, particularly essay-based scholarships.</p>

<p>I appreciate your help... applying is so stressful!</p>

4

<p>ryette~
i can't answer any of your questions, but i am moved by your personal strength! just let BU or anywhere else for that matter hear that! your perseverance will help you move mountains! all the best to you.</p>

5

<p>im pretty sure that most schools give fee waivers and id be surprised if BU doesnt give one...call the admissions office and ask someone personally. in your essay or any place on the application, explain your special circumstances. the admissions officers aren't heartless and will take that into consideration. and as for financial aid, a lot of my friends have a ton of financial aid (only pay 8,000-10,000 a year) and are not even close to the poverty line. im sure BU will be very generous, and then you can also take out loans for the remainder of the cost. </p>

<p>best of luck to you, and i hope everything works out in your favor. keep us posted as to your acceptance status and how much financial aid you receive...we're pulling for you!</p>