I’ve been on the search for colleges that I can apply to but off the bat I’ve had a hard time looking for schools that would actually accept me. I am a strait A student and I have about 15+ college credits on my belt, but the one problem is my test score for the SAT which I got a composite score of 1100. I want to go to a school that is medium sized, with a football and basketball team, a school that has a preppy feel to it (I would love to go to a school like Yale or Princeton but with my test score , its not in the equation) I would want the school to have a great study abroad programs and great programs in majors like criminology, psychology, neuroscience, political science, international relations, Pre-law and Premed because I know I want a career within those majors. I would also like the school to have a big variation of clubs, a very nice campus and a safe/good college town. I live in NYC but I would like to go away for college: maximum of 4-6 hours away, minimum of 2 hours away.
OP, you don’t give information regarding how much your family can afford. No one can recommend anything for you until you give this critical piece of information.
I am relying on mostly financial aid and grants , my parents aren’t Really in the picture when it comes to paying for colleges. So a college with great financial aid service would be nice. I am willing to pay 3-4k every year(Net price)
Out of state colleges are expensive.
The best financial aid comes from the universities.
Your parents aren’t “really in the picture for paying for colleges?” Then that means an OOS college is really not in the picture for you. Who do you think will pay for your tuition and expenses? The colleges don’t care that your parents refuse to pay your tuition and fees. It just means you won’t attend.
OOS public schools are made and paid for by state taxpayers. Take all of those off of your lists.
Private universities are expensive and can run from ~$40 to $70K per year. You only have $4K per year. You can borrow $5500 for the first year Where will you get the additional $30K to $60K? Your SAT stats are nowhere near merit aid level, so you won’t get any significant aid from the schools.
Your parents’ income will be considered for financial aid application purposes, even if they are not willing to contribute (unless you are considered “emancipated” which is uncommon). So the first question is to get a handle on finances. See if you can sit down with your parents to run the Net Price Calculator on the College Board website or on specific school’s websites, as the NPC will instantly generate a predicted financial aid package. As a NY resident, your most affordable options may be CUNY and SUNY schools. Individually, a student can only borrow up to $5500 in the first year, with very small increases thereafter. With summer earnings and work study job during the school year, a student may be able to put together close to $10,000 – which is not enough to cover room and board at many private schools, let alone make a dent in tuition. So the first step is to see what the financial aid situation may look like.
In over my head here, but have you taken a look at SUNY Binghamton?
Also, depending on the details, you may be eligible for the new Excelsior scholarship. https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/nys-grants-scholarships-awards/the-excelsior-scholarship/excelsior-scholarship-fact-sheet.html
If you’re seriously looking a $2-3K, then I think your best bet is CUNY with some merit aid. Room and board anywhere is going to be $12-15K. https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/premed
When your parents are not “really in the picture” does that mean you are a foster child? If so, you would have a shot at great financial aid.
If you live with your parents, are they willing to fill out a financial aid form to see if you would qualify for any need-based aid? Your budget of 3-4 K per year is unrealistic unless your parents are willing to disclose their finances on the forms and they are low enough income that you qualify for some assistance.
You can supplement your 3-4K with a federal direct loan of up to 5,500 dollars. You qualify for subsidized interest on part of your student loans based on your parents’ income, so again, it will benefit you to have them at least filing the FAFSA every year.
Do you know of any good schools that have the things that I listed, that would possibly accept me?
I mentioned Binghamton. How about Framingham in MA? https://www.framingham.edu/
Seton Hall in NJ and Fairfield University in CT may fit your parameters, both are Catholic so don’t know if that is significant consideration.
If your parents are part of your life, but not willing to pay, that is a different financial scenario than being, for instance, in foster care. It is difficult for experienced posters here, mostly parents, to suggest schools without understanding more about financial parameters. If you are “full pay” – the NPC says you can expect no financial aid based on your parents’ financial situation, but your parents won’t actually contribute, then you need schools where merit awards will cover at least all the tuition as your own student loan, plus summer job plus school year job could come just about cover typical room and board. That scenario would lead to one “flavor” of suggestions. If your family is eligible for financial aid but your parents are expected to contribute something, based on the NPC, but they won’t do so, that would indicate looking at a different list of schools.
Experienced posters here almost always suggest that families start with the finances, and build your list from there. It serves no one any good to build a list without regard to affordability and then, come mid-April, discover they cannot afford to go anywhere.
I visited Binghamton and I didn’t like the campus much and framingham is not a school that I see myself thriving in. If money wasn’t a variable, what schools would you recommend?
Please don’t waste people’s time by being unwilling to discuss finances. There are thousands of colleges in the US, but there is no point in wishful thinking about the financial side.
“Not a school I see myself thriving in” is so incredibly vague that it tells us nothing. Likewise the fact that your parents “-aren’t really in the picture.” We’re an intelligent group of adults, and not one of us knows how to interpret that.
We can’t help you. We simply do not have the information. Finances are the first piece if information we need, and you’ve chosen not to share it.
You spoke in your OP about what you “want” and what you “would love.” I want to be rich. I would love to be thin. Neither of those match my present reality.
Dreaming is great, but it doesn’t get you into a school you can afford to attend.
The best of luck to you.
Check out this list to find places where test scores aren’t used in admission: http://fairtest.org/university/optional
Other than what i said above, this is more information: I live with my mom and younger siblings, my mom is a single mom and I would be the first in my college to go to college. Our family income is probably less than 20k. I am also considering SAT optional and Need blind schools.
Thanks @happymomof1
Dickinson is maybe a bit on the small side, but meets quite a few if your criteria. They don’t show up on the “meets need” lists, but they claim to meet 96% of need. They are test optional.
One question colleges will want to know is where is your other biological parent.
Also, have a trusted adult review your essays. You have some spelling and language usage in your post that makes me say that. I’m not trying to be mean, just trying to give you your best shot at admission. 
Mount Holyoke is another school to look at. It doesn’t want for some of your criteria, but is test optional and may meet your need. Students who need a lot of aid like you do sometimes have to compromise on their preferences, and it is a very beautiful campus and well respected school.
Thank you @intparent
Ok, so you need a “meets full need” school, possibly test optional, which will provide good support for 1st gen students, preferably within 2-6 hours of NYC.
Dickinson, Bryn Mawr College and Mt Holyoke (if you are female), Clark in MA would all be schools to research. Bates in Maine is test optional and is about the outer limits of your geography, though is not easy to get to other than car. St Lawrence in upstate NY is working to expand the diversity of its student body and is also test optional, though I don’t know how close they are to “meets full need.” St L has strong support for sports teams, especially hockey, which is a D1 sport there. Denison outside Columbus, Ohio is further than your 6 hour window, but is 30 minutes from the Columbus airport and has a strong 1st gen presence on campus (17%, I believe) and has a variety of programs to support first gen and low income students on campus. One hidden advantage of some of these smaller schools might be that most on-campus entertainment and cultural events are usually free, so that a student without a lot of disposable income would not feel excluded from campus concerts, events etc. Hope that gives you some places to start.
Thank you this is very helpful