College help on many Issues!!!

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello, currently I am becoming increasingly stressed about college and need some answers from people who know about college and admission and all of that (our counselors are lousy at best)
So my first question is I am going to be a first generation college student and I want to know how much that helps.</p>

<p>I also want to know how much legacy helps in determining your admission into that college.</p>

<p>Also I am wondering if the cost of the school is going to limit where I am able to go drastically or if the aid offered will be plenty to not have to worry about it. My mother doesn't work anymore and my father probably makes around 55,000-60,000 currently.</p>

<p>My next question is regarding sending scores for the ACT to colleges. My current score is a 25 and I am taking the October 26th test and my practice tests have been an average of 30-31. Now what I am wondering is if I apply for early action as some schools and send my current scores will that hurt my admission chances into them as compared to waiting and seeing what I get on the October 26th test date? Because I have heard applying for early action helps a lot in the college decision.
I am also wondering if it will be too late to reach this November 1st deadline for many early action and how important is early action?</p>

<p>My other question is if you could name some colleges that might be able to fit me and my desires (live in Oklahoma) but I am open to really going about anywhere. So good colleges that will help me get into a good job?</p>

<p>My next question is I have no idea where I want to go to college and I don't even know exactly what I want to do with my life (as expected). However I do want to do something business related and maybe something health business related. The problem I am encountering now is for example rice doesn't have a business college, but does that mean I shouldn't go there? I have legacy and think I could maybe get some good financial aid from them, but they don't have business majors. I am wondering why some of the top universities don't have business majors and if that should deter me from applying to places like that. And if not what can I take instead that will leave me open to many options in the business world</p>

<p>My last question is about my future in the business field. I know money shouldn't play a huge factor in it, but I am wondering some decently high paying jobs in the business field I could pursue. Like I would eventually like to make anywhere from 80-100k+.
So what jobs could I look into and what majors should I look into for this path. Currently I have shown interest in business management, marketing, and finance. In particular I think I would enjoy maybe a combination of those if possible, so if you have any ideas on jobs that are well enough paying to live comfortable?</p>

<p>Again thank you to anyone who can help me in any way!!!!</p>

2

<p>If you are first generation, you are by definition NOT a legacy. So you don’t even need to worry about that.</p>

<p>Cost limits almost everyone’s college choices. Sit down with your parents, and run the Net Price Calculator at the websites of the colleges on your list. Find out what those places are likely to expect your family to pay. If your family can’t pay that much, then take those places off your list.</p>

3

<ol>
<li><p>Somewhere you are confused. Legacy means a parent graduated from that college, and in that case you are not a first generation college student if a parent went to Rice. First gen college student mean no parent graduated from college. It is impossible to asses ‘how much’ either helps you. It can be a tip factor.</p></li>
<li><p>Sounds like cost will be a major factor for you. Some schools will meet full need, but you will still have to pay your family contribution, except for the very few schools that will not charge you based on that income level. Many schools will not meet full need.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t apply early if you need to compare financial aid packages. Early can help some places but other places it doesn’t help at all. You will have a better chance of acceptance if your scores are higher by as much as you estimate, of course.</p></li>
<li><p>Not enough info given for people to suggest schools for you. GPA is one of the important things you left out.</p></li>
<li><p>Many students study economics or other majors, then go into business especially Wall Street or consulting. I read that business majors are one of the most unemployed majors. I’m not sure why, but maybe businesses prefer hard skills and critical thinking ability, which are in short supply in most business curriculum. One of the most spectacularly successful young men I know who recently got an MBA from Chicago had an Engineering degree.</p></li>
</ol>

4

<p>@Brown</p>

<ol>
<li>So extended family such as aunts and uncles does not count as legacy? Or does it depend?</li>
<li>The family contribution- is that determined by the FAFSA and what it says your family contribution is? </li>
<li>So if I do apply early with my current scores, what do I do if I raise my scores my several points to the places I have already applied?</li>
<li>GPA is UW 3.7 W 4.1 class rank 25/100. Class is very top heavy</li>
<li>With a business degree will it not lead to a large variety of job openings in many different places? Like will it not provide me with the ability to do or go into many different things?</li>
</ol>

5

<p>A business degree will give you many opportunities today, although the outlook is questionable.</p>

6

<p>At risk of putting words in Brownparent’s mouth (er, post) I believe he meant don’t apply early decision if you need to compare financial packages. EA packages come out at the same as RD packages. ED packages come out earlier.</p>

<p>If you are lower income then looking at colleges that meet full need is a good idea. If you are in another boat, mid/high income with little flex in the budget, then merit aid options will be better. Go to the Financial Aid forum and look at the stickied threads at the top of the forum.</p>

7

<p>EA deadlines are like, next week. If you are not already certain of where to apply, I’d strike that option off the list now. It’s undue stress and while that admission percentages can be higher for EA, you have to keep in mind that the kids who generally apply early are already top candidates that already put together a polished application. Take the time to give proper notice to those writing your recommendations and your counselor (at least 2 full weeks,) work on quality (not rushed) essays and supplements. It’s uncommon for a 5-6 point jump on the ACT but if you feel there is a good chance of bringing them up that much, it’s absolutely in your best interest to wait unless a 25 is a high score at whatever school you are looking at.</p>

<p>You still have a lot of research to do. For example, Rice has several business related majors. They have majors in economics, managerial studies and policy studies… those are all directly business related. On top of that they have statistics and computer science where are certainly helpful in business. You have to look beyond the word “business” in the major.</p>

<p>As to financial aid, cast a wide net. As unsavory as I know it is to high school seniors, if finances are an issue, make sure to apply to the local public university for which living at home is possible… just to cover your bases. Look into colleges that meet 100 percent need… they are generally difficult to get into but could be worth applying to a couple you are the best candidate for.</p>

<p>Also remember that you don’t have to go to college next fall. If you are very unsure and finances are difficult, taking a gap year to work and figure our exactly what kind of school you want and can afford might be incredibly beneficial.</p>

8

<p>@erin
Okay thanks. I wasn’t planning on apply ED anywhere as that is too much of a risk for me and my uncertainty. EA on the other hand I was thinking of trying for a few schools. The general question I have though is it better to wait till Octobers Act scores are out to apply and not apply EA or just apply now?</p>

<p>@Turtle
I already have my recommendation letters and my counselor said getting my transcript will be no problem and can be done within a few hours.
And I saw the other majors that Rice has for example, but excuse my naiveness, for those other Business related majors would they still present me with as wide of range of job opportunities as say business management? And is a business major not the best idea to go for and should I just totally forget business related fields or is it not that bad?</p>

9

<p>You are asking questions that we can’t answer for you. No one can tell you what school to go to or what to major in. No one can tell you what major is going to make you a good living. These are all choices you need to make for yourself. If you rather have a degree that says “Business Management” than “Managerial Studies” then go do a google search.</p>

<p>I gave my advice which is to wait and see what your ACT results actually are. Take the time to do your own research. That’s all I can tell you.</p>

10

<p>@turtle
Okay, thanks a lot. I guess I just have one question. Will any business related degree leave a wide open chance of different job opportunities?</p>

11

<p>*2. The family contribution- is that determined by the FAFSA and what it says your family contribution is? *</p>

<p>No. Not at all. EFC is not the amount that your parents have to pay. AT most schools you have to pay a lot more…a LOT more. </p>

<p>The schools that “meet need” usually require CSS Profile. </p>

<p>The schools that meet need are the hardest to get into.</p>

12

<p>These are the schools that meet 100% need.
Start looking at them:
[100%</a> Meet Need Colleges | CollegeGreenlight](<a href=“Colleges with Need-Blind Admission for U.S. Students”>Colleges with Need-Blind Admission for U.S. Students)
They’re all pretty competitive, so you’d really need to raise that test score.
Hamilton for example looks favorably at first-gen students.
Overall, try to find colleges that have great support systems - extra orientation, support centers in math and writing, free tutors, etc. This way, if anything goes wrong, it’s right there for you to take advantage of.
These colleges may be cheaper for you than public universities - you need to look at “net price” (what YOUR family would pay) not “sticker price” (the non discounted price).
Run the Net Price Calculators on some of these colleges’ websites.</p>

<p>Business majors are often regarded as less rigorous than other majors. That’s why few top schools offer them. Sometimes they’re a little more limiting than other degrees, without the rigor that tech degrees have. If you go for a business school, make sure it’s AACSB accredited though. Depending on your goals, it may be better to do “Economics and Business”, for example, or “Management” + “Maths”, or pretty much anything to which you add enough science/math, economics, and statistics. Another option is to look at majors or classes that apply in the business world, but aren’t called “business”. Finally, some colleges also have special semesters when you’re not on campus - the ACM (association of colleges of the midwest?) has a semester in Chicago where students have an internship and have entrepreneurship-related classes, visits, etc.
If you want to get into Finance, as in, Wall Street, there are specific “feeder schools” like Colgate, Williams, Amherst, the Ivy League.
Job opportunities will be related to how well you do overall - college GPA, internships, special programs you participated in, Honors College, study abroad, summer research, etc. </p>

<p>In Oklahoma, you have UO and U Tulsa. Casting a wider net, look at the “100% need met” schools -if they admit you, these schools will make sure you will be able to attend. Obviously, the schools NOT on the list make no such promise and may “gap” you, that is, admit you and let you figure out how to pay.</p>

<p>Some Early Action deadlines are 11/1, some others are 11/15. Check out the Common Application, when you choose colleges it automatically indicates when the deadline is in the “dashboard”. Even if some schools have ‘rolling admissions’ with late application dates, typically, the earlier you apply, the better it is for you. For Early Action and rolling Admission, it’s not binding, and you can give your final answer on May 1.</p>

<p>To pick colleges, borrow from your school/town library: Insider’s Guide to the Colleges, Fiske Guide, Princeton review’s best colleges, and start reading. :slight_smile:
Look at:[Colleges</a> That Change Lives | Changing Lives. One Student at a Time.](<a href=“http://www.ctcl.org/]Colleges”>http://www.ctcl.org/)
And at:[Do</a> It Yourself College Rankings](<a href=“http://diycollegerankings.com/]Do”>http://diycollegerankings.com/)
which just had a special “Help me find a college: Oklahoma”!
[url=&lt;a href=“http://diycollegerankings.com/help-me-find-a-college-oklahoma/3377/]Help”&gt;Oklahoma – Do It Yourself College Rankings]Help</a> Me Find a College: Oklahoma<a href=“note%20the%20abysmal%20graduation%20rates%20though:%2028%%20in%205%20years%20for%20public%20universities…%20but%20U%20Tulsa,%20OSU,%20and%20OU%20all%20do%20better%20than%2050%”>/url</a>
And at:
[url=&lt;a href=“http://www.thecollegesolution.com/]The”&gt;http://www.thecollegesolution.com/]The</a> College Solution |<a href=“a%20college%20blog%20by%20a%20financial%20specialist%20consultant%20at%20CBS”>/url</a>
If you’re willing to travel, keep in mind that most Out of State universities do not meet need for Out of State students, and your best scholarship opportunities can be found in private colleges 400+miles from home and/or where your stats are in the top 25%.</p>