<p>Is there any way to check for colleges that weigh things like test scores and grades significantly more than extracurricular activities? I must admit that my extracurricular activities are little or nothing compared to my test scores and gpa. </p>
<p>Edit: Forgot to mention that I am a USA applicant:
ACT: 34 composite
SAT Subject tests: 800 Math 2 and 790 Chemistry
AP Tests: 5 on calc ab and chem </p>
<p>Check school’s common data set. They will say how much they value GPA, test scores, and other activities.</p>
<p>Lack of extracurricular will only significantly play into admissions in the very top schools. Over 90% of schools will not deny you based on lack of extracurricular.</p>
<p>What about financial aid? My income is well under the federal poverty level, which means that I cannot afford most colleges without a near-full ride. </p>
<p>Do you know about the Net Price Calculators (NPCs)?</p>
<p>If your income is very low, you are likely to qualify for a lot of need-based aid which is given by the colleges. Colleges meet different level of need. You can usually get a vague idea by looking at the stats on a site like the College Board’s Big Future <a href=“https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/”>https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/</a>. Some schools (usually the most selective ones) will meet 100% of the need as determined by FAFSA and their own calculations. Other schools meet 75%, whatever. BUT if you run the NPCs using accurate numbers (you will need your parents tax forms and financial info) you will get a very good idea of what you can expect from different schools… and this can help narrow your list tremendously!</p>
<p>Also, if your stats are in the top percentage for applicants, many schools would give you merit aid (scholarship) BUT you need to know that is generally not IN ADDITION TO the need-based aid. It just replaces some of it. So you come out the same either way, usually.</p>
<p>If your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) as calculated by FAFSA or the school is very low, and you have good grades, then you might want to consider a strategy of applying to “meets-full-need” schools. I urge you to run the NPCs for the schools on your list now. When we did this for my daughter’s original list (about 20 schools) we were shocked at the different prices, and it quickly narrowed her list down.</p>
<p>Note that the NPC results will show you exactly how the college plans to meet the need. Some may give you a grant for the full amount of the cost of attendance minus your calculated EFC, but most will meet part of that need with work-study, federal subsidized loans (usually about $3500 first year), possibly Pell Grants. Here’s a list of these schools:
<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/09/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need-2014”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/09/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need-2014</a></p>
Thank you for the post it has helped.
If you need aid similar to the OP, go to the financial aid forum, read the threads pinned at the top about aid.