<p>I'm really interested in Carleton College. I'm a sophomore in a public HS in northern Utah right now, sitting on a 34 ACT (34 E, 36 M, 30 R, 36 S) and will probably improve that next year. I'll probably graduate with about a 3.7-3.8. Could I get into Carleton? If so, would I be able to afford it? I come from a middle class family and my parents have already made it clear that they will not pay for any of my college, that I need to pay for it with scholarships and grants.</p>
<p>Thanks!
-rslnerd
Salt Lake City-Ogden-Clearfield CSA, Utah</p>
<p>I attended a summer program at Carleton College where they gave us lots of information on admissions and financial aid.
Among the many goodies they gave us were the censored applications of accepted applicants. Basically some people had very low test scores…others had very low grades… What really matters is that they’re looking for your RIGOR IN YOUR COURSELOAD & DIVERSITY in thought, race, and background.</p>
<p>So being incredible in those two things is what’s gonna really get you in…</p>
<p>Will you be able to afford it? They give out decent financial aid but…</p>
<p>In my experience, Carleton is generous with need-based aid, but how much they give you will depend on your parent’s EFC, just like at any other college. They will be required to submit both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile by February 15th. That means they need to do their taxes ASAP.</p>
<p>Carleton is one of the select colleges that guarantees to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. Packages tend to be very generous. They, like most top tier schools, don’t support merit aid other than National Merit Scholarships at $2,000 yearly.</p>
<p>Check out the threads like What I’ve learned About Full Rides and the merit aid threads at the top of the parents and financial aid forums. If your EFC is significant, you don’t want to be drowning in loans. Also read the thread about disappointing financial aid offers. Learn about colleges that"gap" or meet need with mostly loans.</p>
<p>Google financial aid calculators and FAFSA. You need to plug in figures about your family’s financial income and assets to get a clearer idea as to what is doable. Just because your parents don’t want to pay doesn’t mean the colleges will give you all the aid.</p>