Approaching deadlines and I'm still kind of lost...help? =/

College Search & Selection
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<p>So today I'll be sending a few applications for the EA Nov. 1st deadline. But as I was looking at my list, I'm in the same rut a few others have said. I feel as if my list is a mix of confusion. Do you have any recommendations on how I can make sure these are the definite schools I should apply to? Or what schools I should take a look at before it's too late? As a first generation student, all of this is new to me, and it's scary to think that this will be my life for the next 4 years...eek.</p>

<p>Here are some of my info:
SAT-1900
GPA: 3.7
NHS member
Extra-curricular activites: Wrestling, St. Lukes Lifeworks (volunteer), Animal Welfare Club, Free Thinkers (sort of a discussion group), Theatre</p>

<p>Minority- Hispanic (and diversity is important for me)
Lean to the left- definitely interested in politics and activism of sorts
Live in CT, so I'm looking at schools in the New England region...</p>

<p>My list: Suffolk (ultimate safety), UCONN, Fairfield U, Boston College, Syracuse, Ursinus, Colgate, Columbia, & Harvard.</p>

<p>My parents are paying for almost full tuition for my 4 years, so financial aid is a must. Since they're paying, and they want me to apply to the 2 Ivies, it's the least I can do (though I'm very realistic and know that my chances of getting in...are basically zero haha).</p>

<p>So...my list is all over the place....and I don't know what to really do =/</p>

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<p>Boston University can be a good option for you!</p>

<p>Can you please post more info?? I mean your SAT composite and the breakdown…it would help to find your reach, match and safety…</p>

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<p>With superscore or in 1 sitting?</p>

<p>Superscore=1900</p>

<p>Writing: 650
CR: 630
Math: 640</p>

<p>Oh and I guess I should mention that campus is a must haha. But any advice is welcome, thanks in advance! =)</p>

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<p>Anything else that would help btw?</p>

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<p>honetly colgate, columbia and harvard are out of your legue dont even waste your time filling out the apps.</p>

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<p>Believe me, I know Columbia and Harvard are out of my league, but my parents refuse to let me take it off the list…and I’m done trying to convince them lol</p>

<p>And Colgate is my personal reach.</p>

<p>Do you think I should add any specific targets?</p>

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<p>if you like schools like colgate i would look at franklin and marshall, lafayette, muhlenburg and lehigh.</p>

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<p>Alleghany, Goucher, and McDaniel if you like Ursinus and the small LAC experience.</p>

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<p>St. Lawrence University, Gettysburg College</p>

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<p>I’ve heard of Muhlenberg (my friend was looking at it but eliminated it b/c of distance), and another is looking at Franklin & Marshall as well as Lehigh- but I never thought to look further.</p>

<p>Thanks for the recs, I’ll definitely take a look at them. </p>

<p>Question, do you think I should take a look at Fordham?</p>

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<p>My parents are paying for almost full tuition for my 4 years, so financial aid is a must. Since they’re paying, and they want me to apply to the 2 Ivies, it’s the least I can do (though I’m very realistic and know that my chances of getting in…are basically zero haha).</p>

<p>This is confusing On one hand you’re saying that your parents are paying almost full tuition for 4 years, and on the other hand you’re saying financial aid is a “must”. </p>

<p>How much will your parents pay each year? If you don’t know, ask! </p>

<p>AND…saying that FA is a “must” doesn’t tell us whether you will QUALIFY for aid. If you don’t qualify for aid, then even generous schools aren’t going to give you any aid.</p>

<p>What is your EFC? If you you don’t know…use this to get an estimate.</p>

<p>Quick EFC - this is a rough estimate
[FinAid</a> | Calculators | QuickEFC](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Quick EFC - Finaid) </p>

<p>Fordham doesn’t meet need and won’t give you merit.</p>

<p>Until you can give us more specifics about your financial situation (how much parents will pay) and likely EFC, we can’t really give you good recommendations.</p>

<p>Explain to your parents that your stats are tooo low for ivies…</p>

<p>Here’s an example of the score ranges of the 2 middle quartile of Columbia (other ivies will be similar)</p>

<pre><code>Middle 50% of First-Year Students
</code></pre>

<p>SAT Critical Reading: 680 - 770<br>
SAT Math: 690 - 780<br>
SAT Writing: 680 - 770
ACT Composite: 31 - 34 </p>

<p>As you can see, a 1900 is well below the middle 2 quartiles. That bottom quartile is often for special admits…like athletes.</p>

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<p>Basically they’re going to pay for my four years, but the more money they give the better. </p>

<p>And I’m filling out the CSS tomorrow with them, so I’ll get a better idea of the range once we look at the financial aid forms.</p>

<p>…And I wishhh they understood. But they just think there’s no hurt in applying since you’re not losing anything but some money, but can gain a lot.</p>

<p>Thanks, hopefully I can give a little more info by tomorrow =P</p>

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<p>I love Ursinus, and they offer very nice merit packages, however I don’t think it will fit your bill for diversity or political activism.</p>

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<p>I agree haha. After taking a longer look at my list, I realized that it not only was too small and far away, but that it had some missing aspects.</p>

<p>A bunch of recs made have been a span of around 4 hrs away from where I live (Fairfield County), do you have any that are closer by?</p>

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<p>Question,</p>

<p>Is there a list I can find of match schools that agree to meet financial need?</p>

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<p>Based on your stats and need for financial aid, I would suggest you take a look at the following (most are reaches, but as a minority, first generation student, you will be given some leeway on your SAT scores):</p>

<p>Need blind and meet full financial need:</p>

<p>University of Rochester–great school, liberal although not activist
Bowdoin–small, beautiful campus, reach school–SAT optional
Wesleyan–very politically active school close to your home
Vassar–same as above, although not as close
Brandeis–might not be your cup of tea, but excellent academics
College of Holy Cross–much more conservative than the others, but strong school and I noticed that you have applied/are considering Catholic schools
Hamilton–similar to Colgate</p>

<p>In addition, I would probably take a look at Colby, which is not need blind, but meets full need if you are admitted, Bates, Lehigh and Clark. </p>

<p>Here’s a link to a list of need blind, meet full need schools: [Chart:</a> Generous Colleges That Claim to Admit Only on Merit - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/paying-for-college/2010/03/22/chart-generous-colleges-that-claim-to-admit-only-on-merit.html]Chart:”>http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/paying-for-college/2010/03/22/chart-generous-colleges-that-claim-to-admit-only-on-merit.html) Of course, as others have mentioned, schools differ on their definition of what your need is and how they calculate your EFC. </p>

<p>In terms of the small schools, it is very important to visit them, because they generally want to see that a student is really interested. At the very least, if you can’t visit, you should try and make contact in a different way (do they have any programs on the road, are they coming to your school, is there a person in charge of multicultural enrollment/programs that you can contact)</p>

<p>Here are some other sites you might find helpful</p>

<p>List of schools waiving application fees [Free</a> College Applications<a href=“you%20should%20check%20each%20school%20though,%20because%20the%20rules%20keep%20changing”>/url</a></p>

<p>Venture Scholars–this is a program for first generation and minority students who are interested in math/science. Although that might not be your interest, you meet the requirements and the program will give you access to fee waivers, free visiting opportunities etc. [url=&lt;a href=“http://www.venturescholar.org/aboutus/index.html]Ventures”&gt;http://www.venturescholar.org/aboutus/index.html]Ventures</a> Scholars: About Us: Overview](<a href=“http://www.porcelina.net/freeapps/general.html]Free”>Free College Applications)</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for this information and suggestions! </p>

<p>A few of the schools you’ve suggested I’ve actually been taking a look at, and I’m narrowing down my list by this weekend, so this is very helpful =)</p>