I think you should spell out your classes and grades. A 3.9 is almost perfect, with 2 Bs, maybe 3 if you’ve taken enough classes, and the rest As. A 3.6 means you almost have as many Bs as As.
I do not know if this changes anything but all three b’s were quarter grades.
When you Google the list, there are several different versions but mostly they are the same. Run the npc on them, there is quite a bit of variation on what full need means.
Not sure why everyone is focusing on making you justify your GPA. No need for that.
I expect the GPA focus is because no 3.9 student assumes they are a 3.6.
In my mind the B+ dropped my grade way more than it actually did considering a B+ is a 3.333. When that is averaged out with an A then take the average, it is a 3.6 and that is how I imagined my gpa to be a 3.6.
It can be incredibly common for higher level kids to underestimate. They often think they did horrid on a test too - and end up with a 98. My theory is subconsciously they are trying to fit in and be “normal,” though some of it could be just due to the perfectionism they expect of themselves.
To the OP, take a look at Dickinson, Franklin & Marshall, or Union (NY), though rereading this thread I’m not sure what type of school you are looking for and don’t see an ACT/SAT score so check those ranges compared to yours. You’ll want to be in the Top 25% -the higher the more likely for admittance.
Do you know if you need a FAFSA school or will Meets Need via the CSS Profile work too?
All colleges meet 100% of some students’ need. If you are one of those “some” students, and your college’s definition of need matches yours, you are doing well. Very, very few colleges would meet anyone’s definition of need because there are a lot of people who think that college should be totally free. Won’t pay a dime for their kids’ colleges. Up to them, up to the kids.
Each person has to define what their personal need is. You ask your parents what they can and will pay for your college. You look for colleges that cost under that amount with some allowance as to what you can add in payment, and you have schools that meet 100% of your need. The more your parents can pay, the longer your list. Full pay kids can go to any college regardless of cost that accept them, barring other stipulations parents might put on the choice. Otherwise, you need to look for affordable colleges.
It’s difficult to find schools with automatic awards for certain grades and gpa. You have to look at the web sites. You can google “guaranteed scholarships” and find lists, look for recommendations. The full ride automatic awards have been disappearing over the years and there are not very many of them. For most students, those that exist are at schools that are off the beaten path and it takes some serendipity to go that route.
IF you give your cost limitations, and whether you are eligible for financial aid after testing out some NPCs and getting an estimated FAFSA EFC, with your UW gpa and test scores, some info that can gauge some idea of where you stand, some members here can come up with some suggestions. It’s wise to have some sure thing schools on the list that not only will certainly take you, but that you know you can afford, either because the sticker price is low enough, maybe as a commuter school, or if it looks really good that you can get an award there.
Most elite colleges with big endowments and high cost of attendance (Ivies, Amherst, Rice etc) cover 100% of demonstrated need.
Vanderbilt University in Nashville hasn’t specifically been mentioned and it meets 100% of EFC with no loans, but also factors in information from the CSS (as do most other select level schools). Other 100%/no loan schools besides Vandy are Harvard, Princeton, Yale, UPenn, Columbia, Stanford, Pomona, W&L, Kenyon, Haverford, Amherst, Davidson, Bowdoin, Colby, and Swarthmore… below is a link to the article that has been mentioned that lists them all and notes whether loans are factored in or not (and also note ‘low-income’ is not defined, there is no standard - some schools say under $100K others it’s under $60K or even $50K it varies). Yes, the pattern of ‘free money’ follows ‘selective’ colleges, BUT not all of these would be a reach for you, depending on what the rest of your transcript/resume brings. If you are at a 3.9 GPA now you know that you need to dig in deep to hold or increase that. Also your standardized test scores need to be in line with their expectations and hopefully you have a few quality extra curricular/leadership/volunteer activities to boast/write about for the applications.
Be aware when running those Net Price Calculators that assets (ie property equity/value, savings, stocks, 401k, student’s earnings, etc) will play a factor in determining what the Universities will actually award you. You may know your parents income but may not realize all of the other assets/savings involved. Also some of the need will include pretty steep work study requirement on campus - but the jobs are usually pretty flexible to your class schedule, they just eat into your study time. Good luck with your search!
Your area could be quite different than mine. I work in an average public high school. Next year will be my 20th year. I report what I see. It could easily be different in higher level publics/privates where more focus is on getting into top colleges.