Chances of getting a major scholarship

Paying for College
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<p>I'm currently a junior at a private school in downstate Illinois. I am hoping to major in Journalism in college and have started looking at colleges.
My father works at Illinois Wesleyan, and as such, there is a list of other private schools I can get into for completely free. It's an employee child exchange program, and it's definitely a lifesaver, as my family is relatively lower income. I've got a few colleges on that list I'm looking at (Webster University, Maryville St. Louis, and Columbia College Chicago).
However, I was wondering if I had any chance of getting a major scholarship (full ride or close) to a "big name" school for Journalism such as Northwestern or Mizzou. I was hoping some of you could help me out, as I have little experience with such things. Some details:</p>

<ol>
<li>I got a 35 on my ACT, including a 34 in English, a 36 in Reading, and a 10 on my writing test. </li>
<li>I've currently got a GPA of around 3.8</li>
<li>I'm involved in several extracurricular activities, including being on my school's football team, school newspaper, and speech team.</li>
<li>I'm in several AP classes, and have taken a competitive schedule of classes.</li>
</ol>

<p>I was hoping I could get some of your feedback, as to whether or not I'd have a legitimate shot at getting a major scholarship. It would have to be pretty significant, for me to have any chance of going.</p>

<p>Also, I was wondering if anyone else knew of good schools for Journalism on the tuition exchange list. Here's a link to the colleges on the list: <a href="https://wp.cic.edu/Chapter/CICChapterMembers.aspx?CID=4776a598-90cd-db11-a182-005056873acc%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://wp.cic.edu/Chapter/CICChapterMembers.aspx?CID=4776a598-90cd-db11-a182-005056873acc&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any feedback.</p>

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<p>It looks like you are eligible for a merit scholarship at U Alabama: [Out-of-State</a> Scholarships - Undergraduate Scholarships - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html]Out-of-State”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html)</p>

<p>Here’s a thread about full rides: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Your stats make you eligible for many merit scholarships. You’re smart to start looking now as a junior. Many seniors are just looking now, and many scholarship deadlines were in November or December (so, next fall, be aware!!! :slight_smile: )</p>

<p>College-ruled is right about the Bama scholarship. Those are “assured” scholarships - as long as you have the stats and apply on time, you get the $$. I have 2 boys there on scholarships, and they love it.</p>

<p>However, there are other merit scholarships at other schools. :slight_smile: Some are “assured” (based on stats), and some are competitive (these are usually limited in number and may require on-campus interviews).</p>

<p>Also, be aware that some publics, do not give big merit scholarships to OOS students. I just checked Mizzou’s website, and they only have competitive scholarships for OOS students, not assured ones. </p>

<p>I suggest that you apply to some schools with assured scholarships, some schools with competitive scholarships, and some schools that meet 100% of financial need without loans. </p>

<p>BTW…what was your PSAT score? Will you likely be a NMSF? If so, that is another opportunity for scholarships. :)</p>