Chance Me- In Need of Financial Aid

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I am a rising senior, and like many others I’m overwhelmed and confused as to where and how to apply for college. I have one parent who is on disability and is therefore unable to work, and the other has recently lost his job, which led him to take a different job with a huge pay cut. For these reasons, my top priority is to find a school that meets 100% of my financial need, or relatively similar. I know that schools that cover 100% need are wealthy and have large endowments, which equates to highly selective admissions. I am a good student, but I believe I would have a hard time being admitted to a top both school. Here are my stats:
UW Cumulative GPA: 3.57
W Cumulative GPA: 3.85
Mediocre SAT. Retaking in the fall as well as the ACT.
Class Rank: 23/177, so within the top 13%.
EC’s:
French Horn Player for the past 7 years in my school’s wind ensemble (We are the best in my state, invited to play at Carnegie Hall)
RIMEA All State Orchestra Participant
RIMEA Solo and Ensemble Participant (Superior Ratings)
Private Lessons/Horn Ensemble
Student Council Member
Class Council Member
STARS Member (Students Taking Action in Real Situations)
National Honor Society Member
National Society for High School Scholars member
Community Service:
Organized documents for Women and Infants Hospital
Volunteer for Local Soup Kitchen
Stage Crew for my schools production of Beauty and the Beast

Work Experience: Hostess/Waitstaff at a local retirement home 17 hours weekly.

I would also prefer to stay in the northeast, at a liberal arts college and major in neuroscience, and then eventually go pre med. I would also love to join a school orchestra. With all of this in mind, which schools would you suggest? Of course they are reaches, but I am interested in Bates and NYU thus far in my search. All suggestions are appreciated!

2

NYU is incredibly stingy and is notorious for not giving aid.

3

What are your exact test scores? Many top LAC’s in the North East are able to meet 100% of your financial needs. If you are able to tell your story and how you’ve overcome adversity and not let it get in the way of your education, you’ll have a shot anywhere. You seem like a bright kid and I can totally relate. Sometimes it’s tough, but don’t get discouraged. As long as your test scores are within the middle 50% you should stand a great chance at admission. Message me your stats and I’d be more than happy to recommend some schools. Good luck!

4

Have a look at SUNY (state university of new york), which has money. SUNY Stony Brook is a good school.

5

@PatrickStar425 Thank you for replying! My SAT’s are not worth mentioning; slightly above average at best. I definitley will not be applying anywhere with those scores. I have taken ACT practice tests and I’ve ranged from 28-31, which if I’m correct is within the 90th percentile. Hopefully those scores will translate on the real deal test.
@jsm2015 Stony Brook is actually one I’m considering. I’m also really interested in Lehigh. What’s troubling me is that I don’t know where I could possibly have a chance to get in because I don’t know how to interpret my GPA. I believe Leigh’s average GPA is 3.65. I would be considered below average with my unweighted GPA and above average with my weighted GPA. I’m not really sure where I stand because most schools only consider the unweighted GPA.