I’m struggling to see how a white kid from NY with family income of $200K+ is likely to qualify as “having overcome significant adversity and/or…add to the diversity of our campus”. I think you are hugely over-reaching to think you’ll get any merit aid whatsoever at W&M, and you are by no means certain to get a Monroe scholarship (which doesn’t provide any merit money). I suggested Echols at UVA as a possibility to save some money if you are prepared to graduate in 3 years (not really possible with W&M Monroe since you aren’t exempted from the core).
But how would you afford $60K+ p.a. for W&M or UVA? At GWU you might get $20K-$25K in merit but that still leaves a bill of $50K+ p.a. (note that American is similar - full tuition is extremely hard to come by). And of course Georgetown is $70K+ p.a. So I’m mystified why these schools are even on your list if your parents really are only going to contribute $12K p.a.? If that’s their limit then you need to look solely at the in-state options plus less competitive schools that offer full tuition scholarships.
You are understanding right @Wilson98. The reason I said disregard fin aid is because I have a twin brother going to school at the same time as me, and they are willing to take out loans if I get a good offer. Obviously, if there are schools that have a consistently crappy aid program, I wouldn’t apply. But Georgetown is my number one far and away, and I would regret not applying.
Thanks. MSU has a good poli-sci program, so it’s something I’m still looking at. An admissions officer visiting my school said I’d likely qualify for in-state, and I believe there are more departmental scholarships you can stack. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I understand that you are concerned about paying. I am too. But my parents are convinced that we’ll get aid, and even though I’ve been in a number of shouting matches with them about how they are bound for $130k+ in loans, they won’t budge and say I should apply anywhere. I hate that they don’t listen… they think I’m overly concerned even though I just want to be realistic about my options. I showed my mom Emory’s NPC (we’d be full pay there…), and she didn’t even balk. Is it possible that an actual adult can get through to them? I certainly can’t.
In what way do you think the W&M neurodiversity program has anything to do with financial aid (or even getting admitted in the first place)? It’s a student support and counseling program, for “raising awareness” using “current resources”. And W&M really has quite limited financial resources in the first place (compared to UVA for example).
“The Neurodiversity Initiative at the College of William & Mary is an innovative program that is raising awareness…”
“William & Mary’s approach, which emphasizes maximizing current resources…”
“On campus, our first goal is for neurodivergent students of all types to be comfortable and successful…”
If you’re looking for merit aid, here’s what you can get from University of Alabama. I got this directly from the website: The scholarship deadline is Dec 15.
Presidential
A student with a 32-36 ACT or 1420-1600 SAT score and at least a 3.5 GPA will be selected as a Presidential Scholar and will receive $104,000 over four years ($26,000 per year). Students graduating with remaining scholarship semester(s) may use these monies toward graduate school and/or law school study at UA.
How is Tulane a reach? Their average GPA is a 3.56, and their middle 50% ACT range is a 30-33. I have around a 3.5, and a 34 ACT. I can’t ED, however, because I need to compare aid offers and my senior grades will be important anyways.
@apost12: Because Tulane is very big on demonstrated interest – not just campus visits, but especially in the form of applying ED; and if you don’t demonstrate interest, then in my opinion Tulane is a reach for you. My daughter had stats/ECs that were just as good if not better than yours, but did not demonstrate sufficient interest (no campus visit, no preferred early application) and she was waitlisted at Tulane.
I think you get the honors, research and PA position. I don’t think you can stack other offers with this. You won’t get any financial aid unless your parents aren’t telling you something.
Also… Seems like your parents haven’t been open with you. Do they have a 529 for you? Just money put away for college? We opened the books per se so our kids knew where we were financially. I am not touching my retirement for tuition. Kinda hard to pick a school if you don’t know if you can attend.
Also look at your schools naviance if you use that.
Out of state schools you mostly have to be above the requirements listed. So even if you are mid level that might not matter. Being legacy is nice but not a guarantee of anything.
Nope. Didn’t even tell me what they could pay until this June. I had to change my whole list. They have $5k saved for me and my brother in a 529, and that seems to be it other than what they can contribute out of their salaries.