<p>I have a nice list of schools I like, of a range of selectivities. The one thing I am worried I'm missing is a financial safety school- one that I am both likely to get into, but also likely to get a lot of aid (nearly a full ride). Can someone suggest possibilties?</p>
<p>Me:
-Female
-US citizen (dual citizen), lived abroad my whole life
-IB-diploma candidate, predicted 42+ points
-2190 SAT (1450 CR+M)</p>
<p>Criteria for colleges:
-nice location and campus
-NOT in a big city (I tend to like rural places)
-good academics, challenging classes
-small classes and great proffessors
-good in psychology, English, biology...
-international atmosphere
-down-to-earth, unpretentious, interesting students (not too 'snobby', not too outrageously wierd)
-undergrad research opportunities
-writing intensive
-nice library with long opening hours</p>
<p>Are you living abroad now? That may make it very difficult to get financial aid. You are going to have to research if colleges will treat you differently than other International applicants because of your dual citizenship. This may reqiore contacting the colleges directly.
What is your GPA? What was your PSAT score? Are you a NMerit finalist? There are safeties that give full rides to NM finalists, but I don't know if that includes International NMFinalists [ I suspect not] . I suggest you look at the Financial aid forum and do some research, and repost your question there.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply! I will be applying as an American citizen, so that shouldn't be a problem. I didn't take the PSAT. My school doesn't calculate a GPA, but I have good grades.</p>
<p>Usually one's in-state public university is a good financial safety (especially with your credentials!), but since you are living abroad that might not be an option.</p>
<p>Getting merit aid in excess of tuition will be tough...</p>
<p>"I will be applying as an American citizen, so that shouldn't be a problem"
But your application will be coming from overseas, so you need to check with colleges to see if they will review your application as if you were here in the states, because of your citizenship, or if they will treat you as an international applicant , because you are going to HS outside the US.</p>
<p>By financial safety people usually mean in-state-like costs (15-20K/year), not full rides (that are almost impossible to come across for the top 100 schools).</p>
<p>With that, I would consider:
* Grinnell (decent chance to get a scholarship), also look at some other LACs
* UNC (excellent campus, small school feel, reasonable costs OOS)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Read: Smart Moves for Liberal Arts Grads by Sheila Curran. It gives excellent advice and many real world examples of young adults who graduated with liberal arts degrees and went on to do a wide variety of careers</p></li>
<li><p>Select the SUNY that will give you the best liberal arts program, and the best undergraduate experience. The most "bang for your buck."</p></li>
</ol>