Alright, so which schools should I apply to as safeties?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a rising senior and I have quite a few match/reach colleges in mind that I plan on applying to in the next few months.</p>

<p>I'm also looking for academic/financial safety schools.</p>

<p>I go to a large public school in South Carolina (insane dropout rate, 0 people sent to Ivies... ever)</p>

<p>3.6 UW GPA (I feel that this will hurt me anywhere I apply, despite my rank)
4.55 SC W GPA (if you're familiar with the way-too-complicated weighting system)
Ranked 9 out of 300 in my class
1370/2040 on the SAT (took it twice, second time was higher in everything, 650 CR, 720 M, 670 W)</p>

<p>(I plan on retaking the SAT in October along with the ACT with writing)</p>

<p>IB Diploma Candidate
Hardest course-load possible (15 AP/IB classes and 9 Honors classes by graduation)
Varsity Lacrosse, Varsity Tennis, President of Mu Alpha Theta, NHS, Beta Club
Boys State Leadership program
100+ Volunteer hours at local humane society
Part time job</p>

<p>Our family income is ~$60,000, and they could probably contribute between $8,000 and $12,000 per year, but we're still looking for very inexpensive schools.</p>

<p>I'd like to major in finance, with a slight possibility of economics if the school doesn't offer finance.</p>

<p>So far, my match/reach schools I have in mind (in no order) are:</p>

<p>Lehigh
Villanova
Boston College
Emory
NYU Stern
University of Southern California
University of South Carolina
Clemson</p>

<p>And I don't need any formal "chance me" analysis of these schools, I just wanted to make sure I was looking in the right direction.</p>

<p>So, which safeties should I be seriously considering?</p>

2

<p>Most of these schools look pretty good. However I would say that Stern may be a bit of a stretch for you so it is pretty much a far reach. If you are looking for inexpensive schools you might want to consider some more instate schools, maybe Charleston?</p>

3

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<p>You can remove NYU off the list. NYU doesn’t give much aid which means you will have to pay around 40k per year. </p>

<p>University of South Carolina is a safety. Unless you get accepted to their honors program, there is no reason to go there. Clemson is better. </p>

<p>Apply to NCSU.</p>

4

<p>With your high weighted gpa, you might qualify for automatic scholarships at Indiana University Bloomington (the flagship) and direct admission to Kelley School of Business at IU. Even out of state students who are high-stat can get merit money at IU, and unlike some schools, IU takes the higher of weighted/unweighted in plugging in your gpa into their formula. Take a look at their website to see if that might be an option. </p>

<p>Agree that NYU should come off the list as they are notoriously bad with financial aid; also, the cost of living in NYC would add to your costs, even if you did have a decent aid package. Similarly, USC will have high travel costs, not sure it would be worth it but someone else who knows their aid policies would have to jump in. </p>

<p>Your list is largely private schools – you should identify 1-2 real safeties (certain admission, know you can afford it, and you would be happy to attend). For most strong students, their safety is their instate honors program at the state flagship school, if it comes with automatic merit aid. Figure out what you qualify for at South Carolina and it would likely be an admissions and financial safety.</p>

5

<p>Have you tried the net price calculators on each of the schools you are considering?</p>

<p>If you are not confident about Clemson and USC being safe (for both admission and cost), you may want to look here for safety candidates: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15743177-post250.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/15743177-post250.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>Hey! I’m a rising senior also.</p>

<p>Funny enough a lot of the schools on your list are on mine too (Villanova, BC, Lehigh) . I also have a 3.6 ( my school doesn’t do GPA’s, its unofficial ) it looks like you’re going in the right direction, they’re all really good schools. I think if you feel like there are some “reach schools” go for them! But from the looks of it it seems like you have a balance are headed in the right direction. And as far as aid goes, my family has an annual income a bit more than you do but not so much as they would like to be able to pay for college, instead of getting rid of the more expensive schools that don’t give a lot of aid (NYU ) you could try to put an emphasis on schools that give a lot of FA. Balance them out. ALSO theres this app (for both android and iphone) called Scholly which this guy made that compiles a TON of scholarship opportunities but certain criteria. Applying for scholarships may lighten the financial burden on your family, and allow you to go to the college that you ultimately want to go to.</p>

7

<p>ALSO I’d apply to more than one safety just in case because nothing is ever guaranteed!! ( I have like 4 on my list) </p>

<p>okay now i’m done.</p>