<p>Junior
Asian
Majoring in something math/science related
Just took the SAT for the first time today. On a recent practice test, I got 800 CR, 800 M, and probably around 700-750 W depending on my essay.
UW 3.931
W 4.333
My school doesn't do rankings, but I'm almost certain that I'm in the top 5% of my class. And if it matters, my GPA has risen over time.
AP World History- 5. This year, I'm in AP Calc BC, AP Gov, and AP Bio. Other than those, I've taken all honors classes except gym, band, health, etc.</p>
<p>I definitely can't get into Ivies or anything near them with my extracurriculars. My only leadership role is marching band section leader, but I don't have special honors in music. I've done some volunteer work for a local ethnic school and am a member of the math and science honor societies. And I do some math contests, but I'm not highly ranked or anything. I'm planning on starting debate next semester, but since I'm a junior, it's probably too late for that to have major effects on my applications.</p>
<p>Right now, I'm not picky about location, size, culture, etc. I just want to know what tier I should shoot for. I know I shouldn't set my heart on anything until I get my SAT scores back, but do you have suggestions?</p>
<p><a href=“Before you ask which colleges to apply to, please consider - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1621234-before-you-ask-which-colleges-to-apply-to-please-consider-p1.html</a></p>
<p>I.e. what are your cost constraints and state of residency?</p>
<p>Also, “something math/science related” is rather vague. Would you be more interested in math or the heavier-in-math sciences (e.g. physics, statistics, computer science) or some other science like biology? Is any kind of engineering a possible interest?</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply!
Including loans, my family contributed $40k for my older sibling. I’m in Missouri, so there aren’t great in-state options besides maybe Missouri S&T or Truman. That’s why I’m not picky about location.</p>
<p>Sorry for the vagueness. AP Bio is my first AP science class, so I’m not too familiar with chemistry and physics beyond the basics. I do like math a lot, so if I learn more about physics beyond the applications of F=ma and P=IV, I’ll consider it more heavily. Same with statistics.</p>
<p>Meaning $40,000 total, or $10,000 per year? Although if they had to go into debt, that means that their contribution for you may be less. Are they low enough income for you to get substantial financial aid, or will you need to look for merit scholarships?</p>
<p>A realistic maximum beyond your parents’ contribution would be about $10,000 per year, if you take the federal direct loan ($5,500) and contribute some work earnings. So if your parents contribute $10,000 per year, your maximum would be about $20,000 per year. But that should be considered a stretch budget.</p>
<p><a href=“Links to Popular Threads on Scholarships and Lower-Cost Colleges - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html</a> contains links to other threads about low cost schools and large merit scholarships. Some of the schools will have up to full ride merit scholarships for your stats, so they can be used as safeties. Others may have competitive merit scholarships that you can try for.</p>
<p>Oh my god, that post is magical. Thank you! Bookmarked.</p>
<p>The sibling was in college when one of my parents was unemployed, but we’re more financially secure now. With two incomes, I’m not sure how much need-based aid I can get. I’ll talk to my parents tomorrow morning.</p>
<p>For need-based aid, go to each college’s web site and use the net price calculator (or use <a href=“http://www.collegeabacus.com”>http://www.collegeabacus.com</a> to do three at a time).</p>
<p>With a top 5% rank, if your SAT scores turn out as well as projected, as a math and science person you might want to take a look at Rice, JHU, WashU, Carnegie Mellon, URochester, in addition to some safeties.</p>