Chance Me: Top LACs and Ivies with a lowish GPA

I would say you have an excellent chance to get into a “full need” school, which is probably what you should be targeting. Very few schools are going to come close to the “full need” with merit.

“Full need” is a bit of a misnomer and as stated elsewhere can vary quite a bit. It isn’t a bad idea to apply to several of these schools, in the hopes that you have a few offers to compare. That was my daughter’s plan last year, but she was accepted ED to Amherst so withdrew her other apps. She also needed significant financial aid and was from an underrepresented state. They offered a number in the ballpark of what I got when I ran their calculator.

I wouldn’t be afraid to apply ED to one of the more generous ones. It will definitely increase your odds. Kansas is going to be a plus. Many of the full need schools are also ones who strive to have a national reputation, and having kids from 50 states, or as close as they can get, is a factor in admissons. Sure, it is easier to get into Harvard from Kansas than New York, but they still get a ton of apps from Kansas. The NESCAC and comparable schools not so much.

If they have any appeal, the women’s colleges have a bit easier admit numbers for a similar caliber school.

I don’t know what the rules are about posting a link anymore, but google “freshman migration since the dawn of time” and click the first link. Then if you use the “one school, two years” you can see how many Kansas kids any school has for those 2 class years. You might see one that tends to have kids from all over, but is probably particularly interested in adding a Kansas kid next year.

1 Like
2 Likes

Or just click here. Thanks @merc81 !

It’s a fun resource to play around with, especially if you are from an underrepresented state.

2 Likes

That website is so much fun to play around with and way more informational! I have been using random websites to try and figure out the geographic diversity of schools, and this is so much easier to use. Thanks!

Can you explain how this worked? Bowdoin has been test optional for years and years, but I am confused about the having to submit a score regardless part.

Pre-pandemic all matriculants had to submit an official test score, even if they applied and were accepted test optional. I don’t know all the details, but assume Bowdoin did this so they could track relative performance of those groups of students.

So, when you see CDSs prior to Class of 2024, they include test scores for all matriculants, not just those who applied with test scores. I don’t think Bowdoin required this year’s matriculants to provide a test score even if they applied TO, because some students did not have access to testing.

3 Likes

Your strategy seems good. Two solid safeties and the rest top schools. Just be sure to keep up on your safety apps. Be sure to apply fo Honors programs.

I thought I would see a few more recommendations like Grinnell, Carleton or Macalester. Meet need and a little closer. Travel expenses add up.

A couple things I thought of since I last posted. One, look at who is “need blind” and who is “need aware.” I think the line is a bit squishy, they all have targets they are shooting for. The “need blind” probably aren’t completely need blind, and the “full need” need aware schools still take plenty of kids needing significant financial aid. But overall as a kid needing significant FA you are going to have slightly better odds from a school who at least purports to be need blind.

Second, if you mostly apply to full need schools, bear in mind that that means they are mostly reach schools. I would try to apply to some that are comparatively less selective, although they are all selective. But Macalester that was mentioned above is very different than Bowdoin and Amherst. Also just make sure you are ok with the chance that you end up at a safety. The theory of getting 15 rejections is very different than the reality. The reality hurts more than you think it will.

I don’t know that there is a better solution, because a kid needing significant FA has mostly reaches and safeties without much in-between. But prepare yourself mentally for that.

2 Likes

@TonyGrace , They had all matriculants provide scores, even if they had not been part of the app. The assumption was that students who applied without scores had them but chose not to submit.

This covid year was different. Many students legitimately did not have scores.

1 Like