A Not So Typical College Confidential Kid Needs Mid-Atlantic Safeties! Help Please!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I'm bugging you guys for probably not the last time, lets be honest. :P. I've managed to narrow down my list to a decent amount of schools to visit but, I don't feel like any of them are safeties for me and I don't want to end up without anywhere to go! I'm a rising senior and I'm not the average CC student with a million ECs and APs, a 4.0 GPA, and a perfect SAT score so I can't really look at other threads and judge from there. I do feel like I have some hooks going my way though (Black, Poor kid, upward trend, raised by single parent, and I'm hoping to have some kick butt rec. letters!). Please consider helping me with some schools! I know it'll be a little harder because there aren't as many schools were it'll be "BOOM. I'm in." I really want to be successful in college!</p>

<p>Stats:
State: Maryland</p>

<p>GPA: 3.4-5-ish. (Raised from a 2.6 freshman year)</p>

<p>SAT: Took it twice. Highest in 1 sitting: 1700 (W:630 M:470 CR: 600) 2nd Sitting: 1690 (W: 640 M:460 CR:590) I'm working on math. I promise.</p>

<p>APs: US History: 3; English Lang.: 4, I'm taking 4 other APs senior year.</p>

<p>ECs: President of Film Club and softball. No real leadership in other ECs done so far. Ranked 29th in the nation for a national French test in took and I was nominated for the MD Princeton Book Award.</p>

<p>Colleges I'm Already Looking At:
Reach:
William & Mary
George Washington
U of Richmond
Florida State
U of Miami</p>

<p>High Match/ Match:
U of Delaware
UMD: College Park
UMD: Baltimore County
Towson
High Point
Ohio U (On the sole basis of possible scholarship which may or may not be a bad thing)</p>

<p>What I'm Looking For In a College:
So far Delaware is my top school. I really liked the big campus feel, there was so much to do on main, the opportunity to do a 5 week winter or summer session every year, the internships in DC, the beautiful campus, decent sized dorms, and everyone seemed genuinely nice. Overall they left me with the impression that I really wanted to be a Blue Hen.</p>

<p>*A special request is for the school to use FASFA or to not have any sort of non-custodial parent form. I can't waive anything so leaving it like that would be easier.</p>

<p>*I would most likely apply to any school Undeclared at this point but, I am leaning towards minoring in history and majoring somewhere in the social science area. Namely Political Science.</p>

<p>*I would really like to keep things in the mid-atlantic where I could drive to it easily from MD or North Carolina</p>

<p>*I'm really not looking at anything around the Ivy League level except for the reaches I already have.</p>

<p>*I would want whatever school I go to have an academic side but at the same entertain the side of me that likes to have a lot of fun and entertainment. School spirit would be awesome too!</p>

<p>*I would need a lot of financial aid base on a 30,000 -40,000 income. My mother got a new job after being unemployed so, we have nothing saved up.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Anyone have any ideas? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!</p>

3

<p>How about American University? It’s in DC, accepts over 50% of applicants and is a potentially good source of merit aid. Large private university. Goucher College is another school in Maryland, more of a small quirky liberal arts college that seems to value diversity and accepts about 2/3. That might be another source of merit aid. If you wanted to consider historically black schools (not necessarily saying you should, but you might consider it), Florida A & M University is a pretty good bet in Tallahassee near FSU and Howard is in DC, both have high acceptance rates. Finally, some of the less-known UNC schools like Charlotte and Greensboro.</p>

4

<p>I don’t know colleges in the Northeast that well, but I’ll just throw a few names out based on your major, region, and love of the larger atmosphere:
UConn
University of Massachusetts
Rowan University</p>

<p>I don’t know how good these schools are, or much about them at all, but I would suppose that they are at least worth a look. Sorry I can’t help much.</p>

5

<p>If you need a lot of aid, then take off the OOS publics. Those won’t be affordable</p>

6

<p>If you’re not against HBCUs I would definitely add Morgan State to the list. I remember traveling there for speech tournaments and it seemed pretty nice.</p>

7

<p>I would definitely second UMBC to that list, I have friends who attend now and it’s a great school! You could try Salisbury University in Maryland, seems to have the “fun” atmosphere you’re looking for, plus it’s not far from the beach.</p>

8

<p>Your safeties need to meet these four criteria:</p>

<p>1) You are absolutely guaranteed admission based on your grades and test scores. You know this for dead certain because the information is right on the website. Some places do publish that info. If your HS has years of data that clearly indicate that no applicant like you has ever been rejected, that would make a very safe place. However, every year there are surprises and you don’t want to be surprised.</p>

<p>2) You know for dead certain that you can pay for it with no aid other than federal aid determined by the FAFSA, and/or guaranteed state aid and/or guaranteed aid from the college/university itself. For ideas about that last item, read through the merit-based aid threads in the Financial Aid Forum.</p>

<p>3) Your major is offered.</p>

<p>4) You will be happy to attend if it is the only placethat you are admitted to and can afford.</p>

<p>Most OOS publics will not give you the aid you need. A few might if you could raise that SAT score or get a better one on the ACT. Details are in the merit-aid threads in Financial Aid. However the more generous publics are not in the area where you are currently looking.</p>

<p>Talk with your mom. Find out if she can help you at all with any college expenses. If she can’t, you should get a parttime job now and start saving for your books and other things.</p>

9

<p>Thank you for all the suggestions so far!</p>

<p>The OOS publics that are on my list have been passed through my mom and she feels like she can pay for them through financial aid, scholarships, grants, me having a job, etc. without getting into too much trouble with loans. I forgot to mention that I’m not really look at anymore public schools that’d be a little sparse on aid.</p>

10

<p>Roanoke College. Your stats are perfect, they have strong departments in your major, they offer great aid, and they are always seeking diversity (meaning they are a bit low on it now).</p>

11

<p>You indicate that you are poor. You also have stats that you know will not assure you admission to any/most schools that promise to meet 100% of need.</p>

<p>I think these two facts limit your safeties – SAFTIES, NOT CHOICES – to state schools in Maryland where your stats and strong recommendation letters pretty much guarantee admission. Salisbury has been mentioned. I think you are a pretty certain admit to Towson also.</p>

12

<p>Take a look at St Mary’s College of Maryland, the public LAC, on the Chesapeake. Pretty campus, lots of engaged students, and half the cost of most LACs.</p>

13

<p>Thank you for the other suggestions!</p>

14

<p>A few things:
Your mother thinks she can pay for the OOS schools with “financial aid.” Where is she getting the money from? You do realize that loans make up a huge part of financial aid, right? Also, with your scores, it’s unlikely that out of state publics are going to be throwing grant and/or scholarship money your way. Most of their need-based aid goes to students FROM that state. I would highly recommend reevaluating this decision. </p>

<p>I’d also add a few less competitive (and cheaper) schools. Towson & Salisbury should definitely be on your list. I would drop FSU and add Florida Atlantic. Also, if you plan to work in politics and stay in Maryland, it might behoove you to go to school there, where you can network and intern with local politicians.</p>

15

<p>Don’t forget Howard!</p>

16

<p>I realize how OOS publics work with their aid. Financial Aid does not include loans for us. Only whatever “free” money that we get through grants and whatever else according to the net price calculators on each respective schools website. When I referred to scholarships, I meant scholarships offered outside of the schools which some of them I believe I can still get.</p>

<p>And she gets money from working? We’re used to living on a 19k income while I go to private school. It’s not too much of a difference of lifestyle for my mom to sacrifice 20K-15K for college with her new income. I would’ve been working for about a year by the time I go to college so I’d have a decent amount of money saved up, and my dad is offering to give what little money he can. </p>

<p>I may also add that I’m not solely relying on getting into these schools. I only have about 3-4 OOS publics on my list. The rest are instate and privates…</p>

17

<p>LOL you can definitely get in Florida State
Are you retaking the SAT? If so, try to increase your score by 150 points if you can! It’ll help your other choices a lot</p>

18

<p>*iI realize how OOS publics work with their aid. Financial Aid does not include loans for us. Only whatever “free” money that we get through grants and whatever else according to the net price calculators on each respective schools website. When I referred to scholarships, I meant scholarships offered outside of the schools which some of them I believe I can still get.</p>

<p>And she gets money from working? We’re used to living on a 19k income while I go to private school. It’s not too much of a difference of lifestyle for my mom to sacrifice 20K-15K for college with her new income. I would’ve been working for about a year by the time I go to college so I’d have a decent amount of money saved up, and my dad is offering to give what little money he can. *</p>

<p>first of all, the increase in salary is NOT all coming home to your mom. She’ll be paying taxes/FICA on that money. And, likely, since she’s been out of work for awhile, she may have some “catching up to do” with past bills, etc.</p>

<p>It is unwise to assume that the increase in your mom’s salary will all be going to your college costs. </p>

<p>Outside scholarships are often SMALL and only for FRESHMAN year, so you can’t depend/expect those.</p>

<p>I used FSU’s NPC with your info…</p>

<p>A. Your estimated Total Cost of Attendance without Grant Aid $35,040.00
B. Your estimated Net Cost after Grant Aid $31,090.00
C. Your estimated Net Cost after Grant Aid, Student Loans, Work Study, and Other Aid ** 27,590 **</p>

<p>**It’s not reasonable to think that your mom and you can cover this much. **</p>

<p>A. Cost of Attendance Breakdowns for this Institution
Estimated annual tuition and fees $19,970.00
Estimated room and board $8,390.00
Estimated books and supplies $1,000.00
Estimated other expenses (transportation, personal, etc) $5,680.00
Your Estimated Total Cost of Attendance Without Grant Aid $35,040.00</p>

<p>B. More Information on Grant Aid
Tip: This net cost estimate is your approximate cost after grant aid. Grant aid is money that does not have to be paid back. Estimates of grant aid include federal aid programs and may include other need or merit aid.</p>

<p>Estimated Grant Aid (typical range $3,100.00 to $7,334.00) $3,950.00</p>

<p>Your Estimated Net Cost after Grant Aid $31,090.00</p>

<p>C. More Information on Student Loans, Work Study, and Other Aid
Tip: This cost estimate is your approximate cost after grant aid, subsidized student loans, work study and/or any other other aid. The money from any loans must be paid back when you leave the institution</p>

<p>Estimated Subsidized Student Loans or Work Study (typical range $3,500.00 to $6,441.00) $3,500.00</p>

<p>Estimated Other Aid (may include state or institution programs based on need or merit) $0.00</p>

<p>Your estimated Net Cost after Grant Aid, Student Loans, Work Study, and Other Aid ** $27,590.00 **</p>

19

<p>My mom actually kept up with her bills pretty well despite the circumstances and I know that some of her income is going to taxes. Perhaps I misspoke and convinced you otherwise.</p>

<p>I already did the net price calculators for all the school I attended as I said before. I already know what the breakdown for FSU is. My mom knows what is reasonable for herself and what she can pay along with whatever other help she can get.</p>