I’m a junior in high school with a 3.77 unweighted GPA and a 1870 on the last old version of the SAT. My parents only have $30000 saved up for my entire college savings and my dad is unemployed so they won’t be able to contribute much else. I’m interested in majoring in psychology and I’d like to go to a school that is known for their psychology program but cost is the most important thing for me. I’d like to finish my undergrad debt-free if possible. It seems that full ride scholarships are hard to come by unless you have genius grades, but are there any college in particular that could cover most (preferably all) of my tuition? I’m Asian, so maybe college in the mideast might want to give me more scholarships for being Asian? Thanks so much!
No you are not part of an under-represented minority group. Why psychology? Unless you plan on graduate school, it is not a very useful degree.
Look at the percentage of your demographic (race, sex) at that school. If your demographic type is underrepresented at that school, then it might help in admissions.
But you might want to consider the impact of demographics in dating pool. While being an underrepresented male in a mostly female school might be heaven for a hetero male, being only part of 1% of asians in the school where interracial dating is rare may not be as fun.
Unfortunately being Asian is not an under represented minority. Being Asian actually works against you when applying to college! You’ll have to find some other hook or have stellar test scores and/or grades.
At some competitive schools, especially in regions outside the East or West coasts and at many LACs, asian students are indeed underrepresented minorities.
What type of asian? Some are underrepresented. Are you Hmong?
Of course Asians are under represented in some places! Have you people been to Montana? The question is will it matter or give her a preference. Probably not a lot of help, but maybe a little. I know there is a scholarship available at Wyoming for Asian and Pacific Islanders and I’m sure there are others hidden away too.
What area of the country are you thinking of?psychology is widely available so consider all the schools where money is available.
Oh come on! People are underrepresented in Montana! But, if the issue is whether the demographic is underrepresented in that school compared to the % of the population of that state-for a state school, well then unless you are also a cow, you will be over-represented because the state lacks people. But seriously, Asians represent about .8% of the population of Montana but 1.2% of the student body of Montana.
^ Laughed. Out loud.
My kid is a Chinese adoptee. I don’t think either will help her in her college search. Sixteen years ago, I thought it might. 
8 should read "1.2% of the university's student population.
My child is also Asian. It didn’t matter at most of the schools she looked at, but didn’t hurt either and some schools do offer scholaships to Asians. To say being Asian is an over represented minority is a generalization. Yes, in California or at the elite schools of New England there are more Asian applicants than the population of Asians in those states, but in many places there are still schools looking to increase the diversity of the schools and would give a preference for admission or even some money to a minority applicant.
The percentage of Asians in a state might be based on the last census, 2010 numbers, whereas the number at the University is most likely from the prior year, 2014-15 numbers. The difference between .8% and 1.2% is insignificant as both would round to 1%. I do think the U of Montana would be happy to have the Asian population be 4% or 5%, even if the population in the state remained at under 1%.
This student is looking for an advantage and asked if race can be an advantage. My opinion, yes, it can still be an advantage. She needs to consider some schools where being Asian is not over represented. Don’t look only in California or NYC, look where it might be an advantage. Lots of LACs do want more diversity in their class make up. Look in Ohio or Indiana or Tennessee or Montana to see if a school gives a nudge, awards more scholarship money, wants you.
I think my daughter was courted a little more by coaches who knew her being a minority wouldn’t hurt with admissions at their schools(in Ohio and Tenessee and Indiana). The schools, coaches, and sport want more minority representation on the field. I think that if it came down to two similar players with similar academics, the minority player would get the nod, even if the player was an ‘over represented’ minority at the school as a whole. Even at Harvard or Yale, the number of Asians on the lacrosse, hockey, or crew teams is low and many would like it to be higher.
My daughter didn’t want race to be a factor so was more attracted to schools that were already diverse (sorry all you Ohio schools that kept calling and calling). The OP is interested in it being an advantage and I think it can still help at some schools. For my D, it was her sport that attracted the attention of these schools, but for OP it might be that she’s the Asian girl from the east coast that stands out on the application.
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She needs to consider some schools where being Asian is not over represented. Don’t look only in California or NYC, look where it might be an advantage.
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She will not have an advantate in NYC as Asians are not underrepresented at private schools in NYC and at the upper level CUNY schools or the senior colleges
Psychology is a staple major and nearly every “good school” will have a good enough program. No need to be spending extra money.
What state are you in?
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Sorry if this is posted in the wrong spot, this is my first post. Feel free to move it if needed. I'm a junior in high school interested in pursuing a degree in psychology. I live in California but I would prefer to go to a school out-of-state. I got a 1870 on the SAT but I'm planning on taking it again, and I have a 3.7 unweighted GPA. I'd like a school where students are academically motivated but they also do other things besides studying (but I'm not really a party sort of person). I'd prefer a medium-sized school, so about 5000-20000 students. So far CU Boulder is my top choice since I think I can get in and they have a strong psychology program from what I've heard, but the out-of-state tuition is intimidating and I'd like to keep my options open. Is it unrealistic to want to find a school with $20,000 tuition and decent academics? Cost is the most important thing to me, but I'd like to find a school that will transform my life for the better as well. Thanks!
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You live in Calif, a state that gives very good aid to low income students.
Going OOS when you live in Calif is not necessary…just choose a different REGION. If you live in N. Cal, then apply to schools in Southern Cal…it will be like another state.
I said to look at places where being Asian might be an advantage, NOT California or NYC as both of those places have plenty of Asians.
This student is instate for CA…and she has an unemployed parent as well. It is very possible that she could find an affordable instate option IN California, especially if she is able to commute from home.
University of Montana isn’t a bad choice at all. It is very possible that she would get merit aid there…and the coat isn’t all that high for OOS students.
Public schools have a mission to serve the state population. Private schools tend to aim for a racial mix that is reflective of the overall US population, not the state population. Therefore, at competitive private schools where a particular race is overepresented per the US population, applicants of that race will be held to a higher admissions standard, in order to limit their numbers.
It’s a zero-sum game.