She is hooked due to being Native American. She might try Dickinson (they meet 96% of need). Bowdoin is test optional and meets need. Mount Holyoke as well.
I wish we had a sub forum for challenges of the first generation students.
As part of your research, see what kind of supports and programs are at the colleges for first generation students. these often go under the name of TRIO which is funded through the government. https://wp.stolaf.edu/sss/
Other colleges have specialized orientation programs for students of color and/or first gen students. They are sometimes named “bridge” programs but each college controls the naming. https://www.smith.edu/about-smith/diversity/programs-services/bridge
Does the college have a social organization for the students? https://www.smith.edu/news/smithies-host-first-gen-gathering/
As you consider finances, think about how much flights to and from might cost. Planning ahead can save on airfare but the costs can mount particularly if the student has to take a shuttle for an hour or more to the airport. Pick a week in March and price out what the airfare would be for the weekends on each end as a proxy for spring break. If you are thinking that she would not come home for spring break, check what policies are for a student to remain on campus. If your local airport has discount carriers like Southwest, which colleges are served by that airline?
UAH https://www.uah.edu/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid/scholarships
The merit chart lists 100% tuition at ACT 30 and 4.0, raising the ACT to a 34 or an SAT of 1520 adds housing award to the full tuition offer with 4.0 for fall of 2018 college freshman, so it is important to check back at the beginning of her senior year to see what current awards are.
You have the ideal CV for most any school in the country, especially w/ the URM hook and if the ACT/SAT can be improved. Your only worry will be how far away you want her to go. The closer she is, the more visits you can make w/o stressing your budget…
Your daughter still has time to raise that ACT score. In the meantime, have her try the SATs online to see if she prefers them. I suspect she will stick with the ACTs because many STEM kids prefer the ACTs. But if she gets better results on the SATs, by all means try them. Is she in school currently? If so she can get a fee waiver for the SAT and also the ACT (both).
If she can bring up her test scores, Dartmouth, women’s colleges and the top schools would be good possibilities. If she gets accepted by QB for College Prep (apply before due date in February) she will have some good opportunities. Fly-ins are an excellent way to judge her chances.
I agree with ^ that it is good to start defining other aspects, such as geography (how far away she can go), does she want a large research university or a small intimate school, and are there any factors that might guide her search.
@helen13 be sure to have her apply for the new Gates Scholarship. It just began this year. (The previous Gates Millennium Scholarship ended in 2016 and many people don’t know they have started a new one.) It can be used for up to 5 years of undergrad at any university in the nation so you are not limited to certain schools as you are with QuestBridge. Also, Gates is only for minorities (low income) and they do not typically have as many Native Americans applying - -in other words, that may work in her favor. IN the past, they always took a certain number from each demographic minority group. www.thegatesscholarship.org
There is an article in the NY Times today about first gen students.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/03/education/edlife/first-generation-college-admissions.html?hpw&rref=education&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well
Amherst and other top lacs have fly in programs she may qualify for. Their financial aid also covers travel.
I think the bottom line right now is that your role is to research all the opportunities that might be available to her, and her role is to prep like crazy for standardized testing. Good luck!!
Because we live in a rural state with a very low SI cutoff. Her PSAT score is 630 math, 730 verbal. Did not study. Should be commended at least.
She took the ACT as a sophomore, did not study for it. She did get a 31 English, 35 Reading. Definitely will take the ACT over to get a 30 composite, which would make her eligible for full tuition, full room and board at University of Alabama-Huntsville. Good coop programs there, I have heard.
My daughter’s friend just got a full ride (actually $1000 more than full tuition plus room and board) from Clarkson and she had similar stats, maybe even lower GPA, but a bit higher test score. It was merit not FA.
look into amherst. they’re need-blind and meet the full demonstrated need of applicants without loans. if she can raise her ACT by even two points, i believe it will open up entirely new possibilities. the good news is she has time since she’s only a sophomore. 