<p>I agree that the “reaches” should be schools that meet 100% need. </p>
<p>The Ohio publics will not likely meet need, especially the directionals, which rely heavily on loans.</p>
<p>If neither parent graduated from a 4 year college, then she’d be considered first-gen. Some schools such as Hamilton, actively recruit them, so she should fill out the “request info” form ASAP so that she may be invited to a fly-in there (who knows?) Hamilton meets full need (perhaps all in scholarship money + work study, no loans).
<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2014/09/15/colleges-and-universities-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2014/09/15/colleges-and-universities-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need</a></p>
<p>If she can retake that ACT (with EFC zero, she’s eligible for ACT fee waivers, as well as SAT/SAT subject fee waivers)
it’d be better - but quite a few minority first gen can get into tippy-top schools (yes, top 25 universities/LACs) if their achievements are exceptional otherwise, even with ACT 27-28. </p>
<p>Can she run the NPCs on Hiram, Allegheny, Wooster, Susquehanna? Those would be good safeties and she’d likely get enough merit money to make those better than Ohio directionals (both financially and educationally). </p>
<p>What about Olin (Boston)? They’re actively looking for girls interested in STEM, especially minority girls. </p>
<p>Look into Muhlenberg as a good match, Skidmore and Dickinson perhaps too, Spelman?</p>
<p>Encourage her to sign up for VassarView: if she’s selected, she’ll get a couple days on a GORGEOUS college campus, all for free.</p>