<p>Here are the schools I'm looking at. I live in California.</p>
<p>USC
UCLA
Berkeley
UCSD
Stanford
Occidental
Pomona
Claremont McKenna
Vanderbilt
Wash U at St. Louis
Rice
Harvard
Princeton
Brown
Columbia </p>
<p>I know that's a lot but I'm trying to narrow it down to 10-12. </p>
<p>Here's my info:</p>
<p>2290 SAT score
4.17 GPA (4.0 unweighted)
National Recognition Hispanic Scholar (Puerto Rican)
National Merit Quarterfinalist (so far)
lettered in both varsity football and baseball
Sports Editor of school newspaper
took summer class at local college</p>
<p>how do I stack up with the schools listed? any suggestions? right now I'm leaning towards California schools but open to out of state as well. I am on the borderline for financial aid so schools where I could get merit-based scholarships is hugeee for me. </p>
<p>As far as I know there is no National Merit Quarterfinalist, only Commended and Semifinalist. Did you make NMSF? If so and you get your paperwork in you should make NMF and qualify for USC’s half tuition scholarship. What does borderline for FA mean?</p>
<p>I was also curious about what “borderline FA” meant. O.P. How much is your approximate EFC? How much are your parents willing to spend toward your education? You have very solid stats and being URM as well as male and possibly football or baseball player ( if you want to play) could really help you at a Div 3 school like a Claremont for example. You need to give us a bit more info to give you more useful advice.</p>
<p>If you truly are borderline for qualifying for FA at most of these schools, then you would probably be very happily surprised at the FA offer you will get from Harvard, Princeton, or Stanford if you get in. They (and Yale) are much more generous to the “middle class” than other schools. Also, keep in mind that merit scholarships at schools like WashU and Vandy are very competitive and probably less likely than getting admitted to HYPS.</p>
<p>Erin’s Dad: I dont know yet if I made the cut for the NMSF.
4safrontman: What is EFC? Yes I have spoken with the Claremont McKenna baseball coach and he said that if i get admitted into the school I have a spot on the team. Same with Oxy.
cltdad: Thanks for the info, that makes sense.</p>
<p>EFC = Expected Family Contribution. That can be found by filling out the FAFSA4caster. That will determine your need at FAFSA only schools. As far as NMSF, what was your PSAT score? It usually doesn’t change much from year to year.</p>