<p>I was wondering if anyone has seen a situation similar to this: A high ACT (33 single sitting/35 superscored) but low gpa (3.3UW/4.1W). Also, there are Cs, Ds and an F on my transcript. These grades can be explained by my terrible health through my first two years of high school. I have strong ECs, volunteer experience and essays. </p>
<p>I'm only looking for private schools (preferably Liberal Arts in the NE or NW that offer merit aid)
I have some public safeties I really don't like.</p>
<p>I can afford a decent amount, and my EFC is 0. Can anyone give some ideas?</p>
this makes no sense. EFC=0 means you can’t afford to pay anything at all. So what is it “0” or “can afford a decent amount”?</p>
<p>Find some EA schools and rolling admissions schools you don’t hate, and apply early. If you have acceptances from those, they can become your safeties.</p>
<p>With a few exceptions private universities do not offer merit aid, they offer financial aid based on demonstrated need. If your EFC is in fact 0 then you should find generous help. Keep in mind that schools calculate aid differently. Cast a wide net and wait for FA packages. They will vary a great deal in amount and content. What may be an academic safety may or may not end up being a financial safety.</p>
<p>If you have a strong upward trend, rigorous courses, and can account for the low grades, you may have good results from Midwestern schools such as Kalamazoo, Beloit, Lawrence, and Earlham, or Centre College in Kentucky. These schools do grant merit scholarships. With your high ACT, you may have a shot at about $5K-10K from some of these schools. </p>
<p>Selective private LACs in the Northeast or on the West Coast generally do not grant merit scholarships. Notable, high quality exceptions include some of the women’s colleges and Whitman College (Walla Walla WA). With Cs, Ds and an F on your transcript, you may not have much of a shot (although your circumstances might make a difference, especially with good recommendations from your guidance counsellor or teachers). It’s hard to say without having all the details an application is meant to capture.</p>
<p>Did you make the Ds and Fs up by retaking the classes? By cleaning up your transcript and explaining the reason behind the original poor grades, your GPA hit may not be so deadly.</p>
<p>I am smiling. Your gender is not posted but there are many a young male whose GPA does not reflect ability. </p>
<p>You might look at Pacific Lutheran and University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. Also Lewis and Clark in Portland. If you would consider a public, then also look at Evergreen State and Western Washington University. All of those are solid schools who would consider a student with your stats. Please do work as hard as you can to keep grades strong this semester.</p>
<p>I agree that some/many private LACs gives some merit, but aren’t some/many “competitive merit”? If so, that could be a problem for this student.</p>
<p>I think this student would do better with schools that will give assured BIG merit for stats.</p>
<p>With an EFC of 0 and some contribution (how much each year can you contribute???), this student may still need BIG merit. </p>
<p>A half tuition scholarship plus Pell isn’t going to work if the student can’t cover the other half plus room, board, books, and misc costs.</p>
<p>It was my honest understanding that merit aid at private universities was the exception. I apologize for the incorrect information (no matter how well meaning…) and thank my fellow cc’ers for the correction.</p>
<p>While it’s fine to apply to a couple of “100% need” schools, this student’s grade problems are likely going to get the student rejected.</p>
<p>100% need schools are usually very competitive and grades are super important.</p>
<p>Since the student has a 0 EFC and is lucky to have additional funds for college, he/she needs to include some schools that will just automatically give big merit for stats. If this student can get free tuition, then Pell, work-study, and the “other source” of money can pay for room, board and books.</p>