Advice requested : automatic full-ride

Paying for College
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<p>BobW- Thank you for your contributions here. I found this site yesterday and what a godsend!</p>

<p>I want to ask your advice: I have a son (we live in California) who will be a high school senior this fall. He currently has a GPA of 3.75 , SAT 1360, 1920 (CR, M, W), and wants to major in computer science. The small school (400 students) he attends requires 12 community college units for graduation (he has taken mostly math). He has been steadfast concerning his major. We are looking for the best full ride situation and believe graduating from college with very little debt is just plain smart and a good life lesson.</p>

<p>He will be re-taking the SAT in October (no prep the first time so he should be able to get over 1400+)</p>

<p>Also will be looking at (hopefully at the same school but that may be asking too much) a full ride situation for his good friend (4.0GPA also at same high school) . She is looking at computer science/graphic design options but is not sure. She will be taking the SAT in the fall as well and I am certain she will have no problem with 1400+.</p>

<p>It looks like my son would now qualify for North Carolina Central , Alabama state (with the 3.51 GPA , just missed the 3.76 cutoff)(and I didn't see this second option on their site, explain?) With a bit higher SAT (just 20-40 higher score) he would also qualify for Troy and Louisiana Tech. Prairie View appeared competitive.</p>

<p>What do you think would be the best situations to pursue for both of these outstanding young people? Do you have any other advice for us? </p>

<p>Input from others appreciated.</p>

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<p>Was that a weighted or unweighted GPA you posted? Many of the automatic scholarship schools don’t care whether the submitted GPA is weighted or unweighted, so your son might already be in a stronger position than you think.</p>

<p>Also, although I know this wasn’t quite the advice you were looking for, you might want to have him try a couple of ACT practice tests over the summer. He might find it easier than the SAT.</p>

<p>As for comparing lesser known schools, someone else will have to chime in on that. Best of luck to your son & his friend!</p>

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<p>The first application I would suggest is the University of Alabama. Your son’s stats would qualify him for full tuition + $2500/year. I understand you are looking for a full ride, but it will be a good option to have on the table at decision time and perhaps once everything is considered you may find it affordable.</p>

<p>I would note that several of the schools you mentioned (Alabama State, Prairie View, NCCU) are HBCUs, so consider whether that would be a plus or a minus for your son.</p>

<p>I think if he can get his SAT or ACT up to the level of Louisiana Tech, that would probably be the best choice of the schools you listed for CS. La Tech is a research university with residential campus and ABET accredited CS program. </p>

<p>With current stats, the best automatic full ride is probably Louisiana-Monroe. They have ABET accredited CS program.</p>

<p>The best use of the automatic scholarship list is for financial safeties. Anyone who can qualify for an automatic scholarship at one of these schools will be competitive for large scholarships at comparable colleges. He should look for other schools that appeal, where he will be in the top few % of applicants and might qualify for a competitive full ride scholarship. Mississippi State University would be one to consider.</p>

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<p>Unweighted, D Mom. </p>

<p>Thanks for your input.</p>

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<p>I take it you are unable to pay the FAFSA-based EFC that UCs expect you to pay?</p>

<p>Retrying the SAT and taking the ACT may give two more changes to gain more scholarship possibilities.</p>

<p>The competitive full ride list would be worth a look for non-safety applications after you have selected automatic full ride safeties.</p>

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<p>Is your child African American? If not, would he mind attending a school that is largely AA? Some of the schools that you’ve mentioned are HBCU. Also, some are commuter/suitcase schools which may not be desirable for an out-of-region student.</p>

<p>Does Troy have CS? I know it doesn’t’ have eng’g, but I don’t know if it has CS. </p>

<p>I strongly suggest that your son apply to U Alabama (not Alabama State). He’d get free tuition plus 2500 per year. </p>

<p>How much can you contribute? If you’re low income, will your child qualify for a Pell Grant or other aid?</p>

<p>I understand that you want “free rides”, but w/o NMF status, those are going to be hard to come by at “residential colleges”. You may be seeking a mistake…what I mean is this: These kids may end up at commuter/suitcase schools and HATE them…because everyone goes home at night and weekends and they’re all alone. Such schools often don’t have night/evening activities that are well-attended. I’ve seen these mistakes happen. The student goes, hates it, comes home and has lost ALL opportunites for big (but not full rides) scholarships elsewhere.</p>

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<p>We are Caucasian however I think my son would be just fine in an HB environment. He is curious, inquisitive, and caring. I think he would just do his thing and take it all in, like in any other environment. Maybe I am being naive. If anyone has input or experience on this, positive and/or negative, please let me know. </p>

<p>He is fairly low key, has a few close, dear friends and several extended friends. They get together to go to the movies, play video games, other games, or go for walks. He has friends online from around the world he plays computer games with. I think about a suitcase environment and feel if he has one or two buddies around he would be okay. If his closest friend is with him (who absolutely needs a full ride) and at the same school they would, of course, depend on one another. </p>

<p>As far as UC… this is an option, maybe after community college - not certain. The problem is many of the classes are huge, it’s difficult to get into them, very little personal attention, etc. It’s much different now than even just 3 or 4 years ago due to budget cuts. I’ve heard many negative things from parents over the past couple of years - of course, it isn’t all negative. However, my son would get lost in the crowd. He would do much better in a smaller classroom environment. The high school he attends (award winning model) has just 100 students in each grade level. If it’s an indication of his temperament - his twin sister has a different personality, goes to one of the 2500+ student high schools …and he chose the smaller school. The classes are mapped out for the students and he walks into them. They also both attended a 250 student K-8 Waldorf school. He is just much better in a close environment where people know of one another and those relationships matter. </p>

<p>I also think living in the dorms all through college is the way to go for him. Not having to worry or think of the other things. I know that sounds a bit strange but he is the kind of guy that does super well when he knows exactly what to do. Something about having it all mapped out would relieve him of the pressure of all the other variables. And knowing it is paid for would also relieve him of that worry. I think he would be able to balance the tradeoffs. It’s all good to consider. </p>

<p>Troy does have a CS program. Can anyone tell me more about that school? It does look interesting… they also offer AS/AA degrees so that is a different model. I think the CS there is okay but not like a research school such as LA Tech would be able to offer. But perhaps that is my perception and isn’t quite right. </p>

<p>What is it about U of Alabama that is so good? Why the strong recommendations?</p>

<p>Are there other competitive scholarships schools strong in CS anyone knows of I should look at? Bob mentioned Mississippi State. </p>

<p>If anyone has further thoughts after reading this additional information please feel free. I welcome all ideas.</p>

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<p>Bob, I do feel LA Tech is the best fit at this point. I have been reading everything I can find from other students concerning the environment, etc. It looks like some students were turned off by the conservative - ‘red neck’ - southern culture. Some said the dorms were horrific. Other students did just fine, found their group and did their thing. ’
I was attracted to the honors program… some of those classes sound amazing, and most are taught by PhD’s. Max 15 students per class. Also, it seems to have an excellent engineering reputation and trying to imagine how that would play out here in California if he returned after graduation. All these major companies hire from around the world so I don’t want to put my own spin on it. Bob, do you know of someone from LA Tech who went to school there, or is teaching there, who could give me a fair and reasonable representation?</p>

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<p>Just an aside, for SAT prep, go to the SAT/ACT section of the forum and look in the SAT-preparation subforum. There are a couple of pinned posts on study guides/tips at are excellent, your son should go through them. Otherwise, it isn’t common to improve your score much.</p>

<p>If your son and friend want to apply to same places fine, but I hope they won’t let one be held back from attending the best school they can get into. Maybe you can plant that seed now.</p>

<p>The friend should know that CS is very different and more comprehensive than graphic design. The CS is where the money and jobs are. In CS there are classes in the field of computer graphics and computer vision.</p>

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<p>Has your son spent time in the South at all? As a lifelong Southerner, it could be a huge culture shock. Many of those schools you listed will be very regional in nature. These aren’t campuses that attract kids from all over the country.</p>

<p>In many Southern states, there really are only one or two strong University (flagship types) and lots of smaller schools that aren’t nearly as strong as the flagship. These states aren’t like California with multiple well respected campuses. It is not to say that a good education can’t be had at these schools, in fact it often can be, but your child’s peer group opportunities will be dramatically different than at a flagship, in my opinion.</p>

<p>Alabama is recommended often because they give generous aid to strong students from out of state (and in state of course). They have made huge investments in their engineering department and CS and they now attract kids from all over. (Of course, most will be Southern, but there is some geographic diversity.) </p>

<p>Unless he were coming to play baseball, I can’t imagine sending a child from California to Troy. There isn’t anything wrong with Troy, per se, but I can’t imagine it is a good choice for a student who will have better ones. I feel this way about many of the schools you listed.</p>

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<p>We are Caucasian however I think my son would be just fine in an HB environment. He is curious, inquisitive, and caring. I think he would just do his thing and take it all in, like in any other environment. Maybe I am being naive.</p>

<p>I think that unless your son has been raised with a mixed-race social group that socializes frequently together that he’d soon feel like a fish out of water at a HBCU. </p>

<p>“What is it about U Alabama…”</p>

<p>Alabama has recently spent over a billion dollars on school improvements including a new 900,000 square feet mega-sized Science and Engineering Complex. It would provide a full college experience for your son as well as ABET accredited Comp Sci program.</p>

<p>Here’s a video and pics about the school…
<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube;

<p><a href=“Titanium Chef | Home”>Titanium Chef | Home;

<p>Pics of the new Science & Engineering Complex begin on page 6, Student housing pics begin on page 12</p>

<p>Alabama forum on College Confidential is VERY active.*
<a href=“http://talk.college-confidential.com/university-alabama/[/url]”>http://talk.college-confidential.com/university-alabama/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>As a lifelong Southerner, it could be a huge culture shock</p>

<p>This would NOT be the case at Alabama…over 55% of Bama’s frosh are from OOS and the school draws from all over the country. Illinois and Calif send a lot of kids to Bama (Calif is #5 in sending kids to Bama.). Bama and Tuscaloosa are not “southern” in atmosphere except for friendliness and BBQ. Bama has students from New York, Conn, virtually all 50 states. They do not experience a culture shock.</p>

<p>We are from California, both of my kids are Bama grads.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the comments. Very helpful. </p>

<p>SAT/ACT - the hope is he can raise his score just a little bit with some preparation… he did not prep at all the first time. </p>

<p>Thinking to take the ACT this time with some prep. </p>

<p>I do think about the culture shock and weighing that against everything else.</p>

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<p>We live in a town in Nor Cal, close to SF, that is half Hispanic and half white, basically. His peer group and friends at his school are white, Asian and Hispanic. California is a melting pot and he would be looking at a very diversified group at many, but not all of the UC’s.</p>

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<p>OP – I sent you a PM</p>

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<p>Taking your words to heart, Lastminutemom. </p>

<p>My son would just get lost at a big school with big classes. The UC’s and Cal State Universities are grappling with this problem. If anyone knows of a good CS, smaller school (and closer to home) with generous financial opportunities within his range I would love to hear.</p>

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<p>BTW - So many good things about Bama, but the BEST for fretting parents is the early application with rolling admissions and guaranteed scholarships. Helps a neurotic parent sleep at night.</p>

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<p>Thank you for the private messages and honest responses. I am not able to reply privately as I do not have 15 posts yet. Longhaul, thanks for all the input. I really appreciate.</p>

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<p>Longhaul - I can see why you have made the decisions you have. For the remainder of costs outside of tuition and scholarships, will you be taking out loans or please share what you can. We have very similar situations and goals. Please PM me.</p>

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<p>Checking out the Bama residence halls… least expensive $1,895/month? Are exemptions granted often? What are the projected costs for off campus housing/living?</p>

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<p>???</p>

<p>where are you seeing that the least expensive is $1895 a month. none are that high.</p>

<p>just checked…
lol…that’s the semester rate…not the monthly rate.</p>