<p>I have an 1800 SAT score, but I have Native American status, I am a first generation college student, and my mother makes less than 5,000 k a year. I have all A's (my school doesn't calculate GPA or class rank, but I have been on the honor roll all 4 years). I have taken 3 AP's so far, and I received two 4's and one 5. I am also taking two more APs more this year. For my EC's I do Mock Trial, Model UN, Book Club, Crew, Soccer,Cross Country, Swimming, and I have 50+ community service hours. Also, I am a member of my schools Honor Society, and I was named a Questbridge Finalist, but I did not match.</p>
<p>Where do you live? Where are you applying?</p>
<p>I live in New York State, and some schools I’m applying to include Reed, Hamilton, Oxy, Northeastern, Bates, Tulane, SUNY Bing and SUNY Geneseo, Swarthmore, and GW.</p>
<p>Not a safety, but Macalester would be a great school for you.</p>
<p>One of your 2 safeties should be your in-state public university, probably the flagship (apply to the Honors College, too). The other recommendation will depend on where you live, whether you’re willing to go 400+miles away or want to stay close, to what schools you’ve already applied as matches and reaches, what is a non-negotiable feature the school must have…</p>
<p>“my mother makes less than 5,000 k a year” - this could be a problem, because you need a full ride + extras.</p>
<p>I’d highly recommend Grinnell College in Iowa. It is extremely well endowed because the co-founder of Intel went there and investor Warren Buffet made the college an outrageous amount of money.</p>
<p>Swarthmore has money, but I think it would be very difficult to be admitted with 1800 SAT’s.</p>
<p>Definitely add Grinnell despite its middle of Iowa location. Its application deadline is 1/15.</p>
<p>Most those schools to me seem like they would be reaches for you. </p>
<p>I would suggest that maybe you look at some test optional schools. On the easier spectrum to get into so more of a safety would be goucher. On the much harder spectrum to get into but still test optional would be Bowdion.</p>
<p>An afterthought:</p>
<p>Even if you get into your two SUNY’s, which are the best two run by New York State, you may have a problem making finances work. NYS has TAP, but that is not going to cover the difference between your EFC and your expenses, which will leave you with an unreasonable amount of debt.</p>
<p>What I would do is apply to one (or two) of the three SUNY “contract” schools at Cornell. CALS (but not the Dyson part) is the easiest at which to be admitted. These three colleges may have higher tuition rates than regular SUNY’s for NYS residents, but Cornell is private. Thus, you could get grant aid directly from Cornell. The mid-50% SAT range for Cornell CALS was 1240 - 1430, but you have good grades from NYS HS and 2 “hooks”.</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.suny.edu/student/downloads/Pdf/Admissions_qf_stateop.pdf[/url]”>https://www.suny.edu/student/downloads/Pdf/Admissions_qf_stateop.pdf</a></p>
<p>Cornell extended its application deadline to 1/9/2014. Also apply for a fee waiver.</p>
<p><a href=“http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2014%20First-Year%20Instructions.pdf[/url]”>http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2014%20First-Year%20Instructions.pdf</a></p>
<p>In terms, of pure safety look at easier SUNY’s from the link above. Denison University in Ohio is another LAC with a good endowment but not like Swat or Grinnell’s. </p>
<p>Some of your privates like GW, Northeastern and Bates may not be interested in you because of your FA needs.</p>
<p>^Bowdoin is not a bad idea!!! Union College is also test optional and in New York.</p>
<p>Thank you, rhg3rd! I am thinking about adding grinnel or union. I’ve heard that GW is not that great for financial aid, so I might drop it. And actually Cornell and Swat both already sent me fee waivers. I didn’t even have to apply for them. What Other SUNY schools do you think I should apply to? Also if it helps, I go to a private school that is one of the best in my city, and I started school early (16 and a senior).</p>
<p>Thank you, myos1634! I will look into Macalster! I think I’m really look for a school that can offer great financial aid.</p>
<p>Thank you, swimmer576! I am applying to Bowdoin. What do you think my chances are for Bowdoin?</p>
<p>Safeties: SUNY Albany and SUNY New Paltz. Albany has a 47% admit rate and New Paltz 37%. The town and surrounding area at New Paltz make for a great place to go to college. Apply to both just in case. You’ll still have the problem of debt at graduation from any SUNY.</p>
<p>Since you are applying to Bowdoin without test scores, it is impossible to chance you. Admissions will look at all relevant factors, but from there it becomes impressionistic on the part of the ad com.</p>
<p>Make sure you get your 250 words on:</p>
<p>“Reflecting on your own interests and experiences, please comment on one of the following:
1. Intellectual engagement
2. The Common Good
3. Connection to place”</p>
<p>done and polished by tomorrow night. They want to get an idea of what you’ll add to the college community.</p>
<p>I think you should skip GW. It’s a full-paying urban private university much like NYU. Preference for FA awarded to URM first generation students will go to blacks because it’s in DC.</p>
<p>Swarthmore requires 2 subject tests on top of SAT I’s.</p>
<p>I think I’ll add New Paltz, and yeah, I am getting rid of GW. I already applied to Northeastern, but I kind of regret it now after hearing about their mediocre financial aid packages. I am taking the Subject Tests in Jan on US and Lit, and I think I will do pretty well because those are my strong subjects. Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>might look at Holy Cross.</p>
<p>5oclockhero:
This is the list of the colleges that meet 100% need (ie, your best bet for good financial aid).
[100%</a> Meet Need Colleges | CollegeGreenlight](<a href=“Colleges with Need-Blind Admission for U.S. Students”>Colleges with Need-Blind Admission for U.S. Students)
Colleges that had a Jan 1 deadline pushed it to Jan 2, so use that grace delay wisely! Some schools from the list also have Jan 15 deadlines (Gettysburg, St Olaf).
Do include Grinnell.</p>