Chances for small, liberal arts schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I know that this is long . . . but hey, just for some good ol' fashioned bargaining -- if you chance me, I'd be more than willing to chance you or to help you out in some way. :)</p>

<p>I am a Caucasian female (class of '09) from a medium-sized (aprx. 2000 students) public school in CA hoping to attend:
- a small (<5,000 students) co-ed liberal arts school, preferably with strong science departments as well
- preferably on the West Coast, although I am open to New England
- small teacher/student ratio
- decent research opportunities
- reputable name (I am planning on attending graduate school (either med or law)).</p>

<p>Most likely, I will be ineligible for purely financial aid, so I must therefore get the best MERIT-BASED scholarship/grant package as possible.</p>

<p>Potential Major: English (Language/Literature) with minor in Biological Science
Career Goal: Still undecided -- considering either prelaw (environmental or disability law) or premedicine (potentially pediatric surgery)</p>

<p>GPA: 4.83 weighted (3.98 unweighted -- all A's and A+'s with exception of a B in AP Physics B)
Class Rank: 8 / 521</p>

<p>SAT: 2330 (800 Critical Reading, 800 Writing, 730 Math)
ACT: 33 (36 English, 30 Math, 34 Reading, 32 Science)</p>

<p>SAT II's:
- Literature - 740 (retaking in October - projected score 780)
- Math Level Two - (taking in October -- projected score 700)
- World History - 690
- US History - 710</p>

<p>EC's & Awards:
-Participated in a science-related work-study program at a local museum for three years
-Have had a part-time job in addition to school for the past four years (originally at a museum, now at a dental office - work upwards of 25 hours per week)
-Was one of 40 students selected nationally to attend the 2005 national science fair (Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge) for original research and received an award/scholarship for scientific accuracy and originality
-Hold a provisional patent for original research
-Relatively active in the community -- have 200+ community service hours
-Community service award through hs (based on having more than 200 hours of service)
-Organized group of students to lobby city council to ban plastic bags in local grocery stores, encouraged city to move towards a more environmentally sustainable position on a widespread basis by raising awareness of environmental issues through media, etc. (year-long project, still in progress)
-Participate within church/religious groups
-Member of various clubs at school
-Published in local newspaper and have received a number of regional awards for writing
-Lifetime National Honor Society Member (4 years)
-Lifetime California Scholarship Federation Member (4 years)
-National Merit Commended Student
-AP Scholar with Distinction</p>

<p>AP Scores:
- World History - 5
- English Language/Comp - 5
- US History - 4
- Microeconomics - 4
- Macroeconomics - 4
- Physics B - 3
- Spanish Language - 3 (IB Spanish SL score of 5)
- English Literature (in progress)
- Statistics (in progress - second semester senior yr)
- Environmental Science (in progress)</p>

<p>Dual enrollment (both AP and college credit through city college; considered one of top 10 community colleges in the state of CA)
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Biology
- Ecology (in progress)
- Psychology (in progress)
- Statistics (in progress - second semester senior yr)
- Political Science/Government
- Anatomy (in progress - second semester senior yr)
- Physiology (in progress - second semester senior yr)
- Work Education (counts for college credit)</p>

<p>Rec's: all good -- from an English teacher whom I've had for two years (with A+'s in his class for all semesters), pre-calc G/T (honors/gifted and talented education) teacher, guidance counselor</p>

<p>Essays: My biggest strength and passion is in English, so I'm all good. ;)</p>

<p>I would love to go to a school similar to Pomona College, Amherst College, Williams, etc.; however, I know that for the most part, they do not offer any merit-based scholarships. (Essentially, I'm hoping for a university that offers the individuality of a small school combined with the resources of a larger research institution).</p>

<p>Based upon this information, what schools should I be considering (tier, suggestions, etc.) in order to maximize potential merit aid while still aiming for a prime educational experience?</p>

<p>I really have no idea as to where I am applying or even where I have a good chance at getting accepted (and unfortunately, my guidance counselor is of little help). Thank you so, so much for the help -- it really does mean a lot!</p>

<p>Let me know if you need more info . . . this is really my first time on this forum, so I'm not entirely sure of what to expect.</p>

2

<p>^^To clarify about the work-study program mentioned above, it was a summer-intensive, though year-long, three-year long program for the top 20-30 high school students within my city with an interest in the natural sciences. It involved taking classes with the scientists at the museum, presenting research findings to the public in a formal setting, acting as a curator and ambassador, taking on leadership roles, etc. After completing 60 hours of community service, members became eligible to become paid employees of the non-profit organization.</p>

3

<p>What level of scholarship are we talking about–are you looking for $2000-7000 a year, or half/full tuition?</p>

<p>As it stands, you have excellent chances at the schools you mentioned (FA aside). Don’t underestimate the power of private scholarships, either…try searching online, especially for some of the (often lucrative) science scholarships that don’t take demonstrated need into consideration. You look like you’d be a great contender. Good luck!</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/569224-final-shebang.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/569224-final-shebang.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>just chill man</p>

5

<p>sweet i’m a regular ‘Member’ now!</p>

6

<p>^^^ cool, kid.<br>
Definitely apply to swarthmore. For some reason i feel like you’d fit in there perfectly/ get accepted. It’s got a stellar reputation for grad schools, awesome prelaw program, and on the same tier with williams and amherst. Claremont mckenna’s got really good political science, but i think you’d be too good for that school. lol I think you might have a decent shot at Pomona, but it’s so damn selective, and you living in Cali might not give you such a boost there (they want diversity and whatnot..) Your AP’s are a littttle weak for Williams and Amherst, but oh well, what do I know. don’t listen to me. i’m looking at LACs too but from somewhat a different angle. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/568761-would-you-like-chanced.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/568761-would-you-like-chanced.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Mflevity, I’m looking for just as much scholarship money I can get – hopefully in the range of half-tuition or above. </p>

<p>Honestly, what tier of schools should I be looking at (for acceptance and/or scholarships? Am I really competitive enough to get acceptance to the most prestigious schools (poor AP scores and all)? </p>

<p>To be more specific --Schools I’m considering (in no specific order) . . . yep, it’s pretty long:</p>

<p>Pomona College
Amherst College
Occidental College
Reed College
Williams College
Stanford University
Middlebury College
UCLA
UC Berkeley
Whitman College
Wesleyan University
Kenyon College
Bates College
Boston University
Swarthmore College</p>

8

<p>^Many of those schools do not offer any merit-based aid at all, so you would have to look for private scholarships. Here are some threads you might find helpful: </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/63770-best-schools-give-most-merit-based-aid.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/63770-best-schools-give-most-merit-based-aid.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/211927-institutional-merit-based-scholarships-full-tuition.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/211927-institutional-merit-based-scholarships-full-tuition.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/559599-top-colleges-provide-merit-based-aid.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/559599-top-colleges-provide-merit-based-aid.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/103604-list-mostly-merit-scholarship-info-websites.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/103604-list-mostly-merit-scholarship-info-websites.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Do you require merit aid, or would you attend your dream school without it?</p>

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<p>Considering that I’m going to be in debt up to my eyebrows by the time I finish grad school, vossron, I am going to require some degree of merit aid. Given my family background, my parents aren’t capable of contributing all that much towards my education (although their income will essentially disqualify me from all financial aid at first glance). I don’t really feel comfortable taking out thousands and thousands upon dollars in debt just to finance my undergraduate education, and so to answer your question, there is absolutely no way that I would ever be able to attend any of the schools listed above without some capacity of scholarship aid. In fact, my parents have gone so far as to condemn me to a state school (granted, not necessarily the worst case scenario in CA) if I can’t get merit aid. It wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it certainly would be far less than ideal, though.</p>

11

<p>Ok, got it. These (non-UC) schools provide some merit aid: </p>

<p>Pomona College (but not for freshmen)
Occidental College
Whitman College
Wesleyan University (but not for freshmen)
Kenyon College
Bates College
Boston University
Swarthmore College</p>

<p>(from [Merit</a> Scholarships - Merit Awards - College and University Admissions - Merit Aid - Merit Aid - Search](<a href=“http://www.meritaid.com%5DMerit”>http://www.meritaid.com))</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

12

<p>Thanks for the link to the website, vossron – very helpful!</p>

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<p>I’d like to clarify that Wesleyan does NOT give merit aid, at all. The merit scholarships it provides are for AFTER college (mainly for work or study abroad).</p>

14

<p>Bump . . . falling fast . . .</p>

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<p>There are lots and lots of universities that would offer you merit aid, check out the links given above. Here is one that I know of:</p>

<p>You qualify for a guaranteed scholarship of $19,5000/year at University of San Francisco. It isn’t a LAC, but it is only about 8,000 students and is on the West Coast. I think it is ranked at about 115 or so on the National Universities list, so it isn’t dis-reputable. Some info: [University</a> of San Francisco (USF) - FAQ](<a href=“http://www.usfca.edu/acadserv/admission/undergraduate/froshfaq.html]University”>http://www.usfca.edu/acadserv/admission/undergraduate/froshfaq.html)</p>

<p>Details of the scholarship: Quote: “The University Scholars program is awarded to students who apply through Early Action (The Early Action application Deadline is November 15), who have a minimum grade point average of 3.8 as calculated by the USF Office of Admission, and a minimum combined SAT test score of 1,320, or a minimum ACT test score of 30. The University Scholars program pays $19,500 a year for eight semesters of undergraduate study, provided the student maintains at least a 3.25 grade point average at USF.”</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

16

<p>^I did read about that opportunity; however, I was hesitant to apply early action to any school – especially one that wasn’t necessarily within my top choices. Thanks, though!</p>

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<p>It is a completely non-binding early action, and you have until May 1st to accept or decline (it is NOT an ealy DECISION plan). You are free to apply to as many other schools, including early action and early decision, as you wish.</p>

<p>Last year I applied on November 14, and they let me know within 10 days that I was accepted and had the scholarship. I waited until May 1st to make my final decision, (and I eventually chose one of my other options) but it was a real stress-reducer to know I had one good opportunity so early, while everyone else was still stressing whether they would be accepted anywhere. (It is a truly beautiful campus, btw!)</p>

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<p>Thanks for the help, tocollege. I’m definitely going to have to look further into the school/scholarship, since that would be quite helpful as a backup. :)</p>