<p>highly competitive private school in houston with connections
senior governing council representative, 2 previous summer jobs (selling carpets and cell phones), tutored at old middle school
3.0 GPA, taking 2 AP's (both english) this year, my grades have gotten better every year
1940 SAT (590 verbal, 640 math, 710 writing)- The first time I took it, I got a 1720.
minority status (iranian)</p>
<p>those are the big chips, others are stuff like track and clubs I havent done anything with and volunteering randomly. I expect very good essays and decent recommendations from a past english teacher.</p>
<p>what are my chances at these texas schools?</p>
<p>SMU ( I've contacted one of the admissions officers and talked to her when she visited our school)
Trinity (head of sports at my school graduated here but he and I dont know each other)
Baylor ( a friends father, who is on the board of trustees, has offered to write recommendation letter for me)
Southwestern (along with Georgia Tech, Harvard, admissions officer visited our school to help with a program where we were officers and had to choose 2 out of 5 imaginary candidates.) </p>
<p>Thanks in advance, and if you have any suggestions for other schools, I would appreciate it! :)</p>
<p>Hate to break it to you, but Iranian's aren't typically considered under- represented minorities when it comes to college admissions. And your "contacts" at these schools aren't likely to make a huge difference in your chances either.</p>
<p>That said, your list is reasonable, but I'd urge you to add at least one solid safety. The schools you've listed are all going to be matches and/or reaches, so a few well-chosen safeties would be a good way to go. Texas Christian U might work as a safety.</p>
<p>thanks carolyn, tcu should be a solid safety. I'm still debating more safeties that might offer a generous financial aid package. The 4 schools I listed are at the top of my list.Being iranian doesnt help me out too much but doesnt the fact that there arent very many middleasterners in texas and I'm not your typical Iranian (english, not math/science, comes easy for me) help out a bit?</p>
<p>ut-austin? a safety? Do you think so? I am considering applying there but as a reach. It's a numbers-driven school, any my numbers (GPA, especially) aren't too attractive. I'm expecting my essays (which I'm working very diligently on) and really my involvement in governing council to help out. Thanks for the post!</p>
<p>yeah UT-Austin is definitly a reach but if I get in, depending on finances, the thought of going might interest me. here are other schools I am considering. What are my chances for these schools? And which school might give me the best financial package? Thanks...</p>
<p>Baylor
SMU
Trinity
Southwestern
UT-Austin
UT-Dallas
LSU
Hendrix
Centre
St. Edwards
Austin College
University Of North Texas
TCU
Texas Tech</p>
<p>Southern Methodist, UT-Austin, Baylor, and Texas A&M, are all worth applying to. You have a decent shot at all of them, perhaps maybe, UT-Austin.</p>
<p>good questions :), Am I willing? yes, in fact add U of Mississippi on that list, every student from my school who has applied in the last 5 years has been accepted (46). But ultimately, it would be the costs that would sway my decision the most. I'm applying to schools in Arkansas, Miss, Kentucky and Louisiana and would be fine going there if they gave more aid.</p>
<p>Psychology or Journalism or Sports Medicine/Therapy. I'm leaning heavily towards Psychology.</p>
<p>Hey, we may be average, but we have upside!!!</p>
<p>You have an interesting list of colleges/universities from the very small (Austin College and Hendrix) colleges to the very large state universities (such as University of North Texas). Both Southwestern and Baylor have good financial aid calculators for merit awards so you can get a sense of what aid you may receive. Overall, unless your combination of class rank/SAT scores puts you in the upper ranges (top third or 25 percent) of students accepted for those schools then you can expect little or no merit aid from most schools. For instance, your SAT scores alone would put you in the upper brackets of St. Edwards applicants (thus possible merit aid) but in the middle of the pack for Austin College.</p>
<p>As for other schools, take a look at University of Tulsa - an excellent medium sized university (2700 undergraduates and 1400 grad/law students) with a large endowment and relatively low tuition for a private university. Only Brigham Young University has a lower tuition among private universities in the top 100 universities ranked by US News. I also second Carolyn's remarks that TCU could be a good safety for you.</p>
<p>If you want to go into Journalism you should def. look into Mizzou (university of missouri-columbia). One of the top in the nation, def. a top 5 as far as j-school, and just overall the school is a great place, with plent of things to do. I love Mizzou, just wish they were better in the b-school dept.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, I'll look into Missouri and Tulane... I'm currently in a dilemna; if I add those 2 universities to the list I posted above, that would be 16 schools. Is that okay? Exactly half of them accept the common application so that's fairly easy but what matters most is the amount of aid given. My parents have had to pay full tuition all four years of private school (it amounts to roughly $64,000!) even though together they make $100,000 a year. I love how public school tuition, especially in-state, is so cheap but since they focus more on numbers and gpa, I would not be in the running. However, some of the lesser known private schools I'm applying to (Centre, Hendrix) will look at the bigger picture and may give me a better package. Am I right? If so, I don't know what to do. Applying ED would help my chances but I need to assess the packages, if any, given. Does needed scholarship money change from school to school? Which school will give me the best package? Sorry this thread just opened up more questions. </p>
<p>Take UTD off your list. You have to pay $400/month for an apartment that you share with 3 other people, you have to cook all your own meals (and freshmen parking is really far away, so gertting to the store is a hassle).</p>
<p>Hate to break it to you, but UT-Austin is a major reach. A&M and Baylor might be your best match/reaches. If you don;t get in those, you might try Texas Tech.</p>
<p>I have a personal dislike for SMU because the students are laregly pretentious Highland Park graduates who are more interested in slacking off and tapping into their parents fortunes than making their own way. Plus, its one of the most expensive schools in the country, and the education is nothing out of the ordinary.</p>