For Me versus For a Name

[SerenityJade]

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If you actually have a shot at getting into HYP, and if your objection to them is really the money, then you are being extremely shortsighted in not applying. Have you even looked at the FA policies of those schools? For students whose family income is under $150,000, it is OFTEN cheaper for them to attend HYP than their state flagship.</p>

<p>If your objection is some kind of reverse snobbery, then you are also being very short sighted. Schools usually have a name and a reputation for a reason.</p>

<p>Of course, it is quite possible that you don’t have anything like the stats and resume to be a realistic candidate at those schools anyway, in which case you are wise not to give in to pressure to apply. There have been numerous posts on CC about kids who are big fish in very small ponds whose families and friends mistakenly assume they will walk into the super-selective schools and who encourage them to believe the same thing, alas.</p>

<p>I would urge you to look beyond your own doorstep, though. Luckily for you, as a VA resident you have numerous solid in-state options. It doesn’t sound like the place you have picked out is one of them. Frankly it sounds to me as if you are operating from a basis of fear: fear that you won’t get in and everyone will know, for example. Fear of moving away from home. Fear of being challenged. I hope you will at least apply to a range of schools within VA, including W&M. Things may look different in April. Give yourself a chance to have some choices.

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<p>William and Mary is one I’ve considered however it’s in an environment I do not like. I don’t like Williamsburg. Just like I don’t like Charlottesville.</p>

<p>And I want to stay in state because I cannot justify to myself going out of state when there are so many amazing schools in Virginia. I’m lucky to have grown up here and have the opportunities I’ve had. I’m lucky to live in the county I do even if it is a low ranking school system because I get the chance to be in my magnet school that is honestly the best thing I’ve ever experienced.</p>

<p>And as for HYP, I’ve only considered Princeton and I’m in the lower end of admittance. I don’t have many ECs because I live too far from my school and have no transportation because of my parents’ work schedules. My magnet school is always a plus and would likely be the thing that might get me in if I tried but I wouldn’t fit in there. I would feel so out of place. It’s not for me. </p>

<p>The reason I like Longwood is the environment. The town, the school, it’s everything I’ve wanted. I refuse to consider VCU or UofR because I’d rather not deal with Richmond (last time I was at VCU for my school’s annual science symposium and we weren’t allowed outside the building because of the stabbings on campus).</p>

<p>The only thing I’m really afraid of is not fitting in. I have one real friend here. And she’s a sophomore who keeps complaining that she doesn’t want me to graduate. Then I have my dysfunctional family that is my governor’s school class. If you ever get the chance, put 26 small-town, crazy, “gifted” students who want to be everything from actors to engineers in one room. It’s so much fun. Then make them individually try to conduct actual scientific studies. That’s even more fun to watch. And stress-inducing for the teenagers (we’re all ready to hit our heads against a wall).</p>

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What are your stats?</p>

<p>With your parents middle class income, how much can they contribute towards college? If they can’t contribute anything, THEN you have to wisely choose schools where your costs will be covered.</p>

<p>HOW do you plan on paying for college?

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<p>As someone decided to post,</p>

<p>4.367 Weighted GPA
About 3.8 unweighted GPA
3rd in my class of 255
590 Reading SAT
730 Math SAT
620 Writing SAT
1940 Composite SAT
Taking October 6 SAT</p>

<p>Currently taking AP Lit and Government. I’ll have about 46 credit hours worth of Dual Enrollment classes by the end of my senior year. Magnet School for Marine and Environmental Science (we call them Governor’s Schools). My high school is unfortunately not too good. My family barely scrapes by even though we are middle class due to a few family issues. I only have $1000 plus a few years of interest in my college fund. Other than that, I’m applying for any scholarships I can find and hoping like hell I don’t have to drown myself in loans.</p>