<p>Exactly why? Is liberal and committed Christianity that scary?</p>
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Exactly why? Is liberal and committed Christianity that scary?
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<p>No, I had to look it up because I remember hearing of it from when I was a youngster. It is a school primarily for those from the Appalachian region. </p>
<p>I am a Theology/ Literature student at a University historically known for being quite liberal as well as Christian, and I have not been scared yet. Well, except for midterms, but that is different.</p>
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To provide an educational opportunity primarily for students from Appalachia, black and white, who have great promise and limited economic resources.
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<p>See what I am saying? I remember that their competition is Alice Lloyd College, which is only (basically) for folks from the hollers of Kentucky and whatnot. </p>
<p>No use in accidentally being misleading, right mini?</p>
<p>There are Florida schools that give full rides on occassion to OOS applicants. </p>
<p>I think that the schools DO consider the situation. They also have to have the money. You need schools with money where you are in the top 25% or better. Ideally they would also be trying to build departments in areas where you want to major. The Florida schools get the states lottery money and some are trying to improve their studnet bodies by throwing a little cash at OOS applicants.</p>
<p>There may be Fla. schools that do that, but she lives in Buffalo, comes from a very low income family that her jobs are helping support, and her father has cancer. Getting to Florida probably would be difficult for her, particularly since most families drive their kids and their kids' belongings to college and pick them up at year's end, something her family probably can't do because of the long trip, the fact that they have a family business, and because of the expense.</p>
<p>Many if not most students also like to go home for not only Christmas and year's end, but also for Thanksgiving and probably for some other long weekends. No matter how much she dislikes Buffalo, it would be unusual if she wouldn't want to go home several times during the year to see her family, including her ill father. Even with a full scholarship, it would be difficult to do this. Add to this, Buffalo is snow belt country, which makes things even more difficult. She also would have to adapt to southern culture, which would probably be a surprise for her and may be a challenge that once there, she'd prefer not taking particularly since her life already has been very stressful due to her dad's illness and family's economic problems. </p>
<p>OP, please take a look over on the college board about some of the adjustment problems that students are having. Most are very normal -- homesickness, problems adjusting to rooommates, problems figuring out how to meet people on campus. These occur even if one goes only an hour away from home. Things are even more difficult, however, when one goes hours away from home because then one also has to adjust to major differences in the local culture and one's home culture (It's amazing how much behaviors vary in the regions of the U.S., even in the same state).</p>
<p>Anyway, my advice is to apply to schools in NYC where you can use your Regents Scholarship, and also can travel home cheaply and easily -- even perhaps by getting inexpensive rides from other students. Fortunately, your state has plenty of options for you, including places where you probably can get very generous scholarships.</p>
<p>As for Berea, if the OP decides to go out of state, that may be an option. Since she's considering Xavier, a Catholic college, I assume that she's Catholic and would have nothing against attending a Christian college. Since she works in a family business and as a restaurant hostess, she clearly has nothing against working. Consequently, the fact that she might be able to get a full ride from Berea might make it a good match for her. I'd still be concerned about the distance from her home, but if she goes out of state, it may be her best option.</p>
<p>Apply to UPenn if you want. After all, none of us are admissions officers, so we can't really estimate your chances. If you decide to apply to Ivies, however, I suggest that you also add Harvard , Yale and Princeton. I knew someone who was a URM with excellent leadership, grades, but low scores (1250 or so on the old SAT). He also was first generation college, and was doing a lot of jobs to help out his low income single parent mom. He was not accepted by U Penn. despite having a recommendation from an administrator at his school who had a doctorate from there. That was several years ago, so perhaps U Penn.'s admissions policies have changed. I do know, however, that Harvard, Princeton and Yale are trying hard to get low income, first generation college students and that includes creating generous financial aid for them, and doing various outreaches to try to attract their applications. </p>
<p>Your stats indicate that you could handle work at an Ivy (the bottom SAT score that can, according to Harvard adcoms whom I've talked to, is about a 1200 v, m). Your ECs are excellent. Your character seems extraordinary in terms of how you've met the challenge of your family's financial problems and your dad's illness. Anyway, I suggest that you throw your hat into the rings, but make sure that you have backups -- financial safeties that you know you will gain acceptance to and can afford -- that you would enjoy attending. After all, Ivies are reaches for everyone.</p>
<p>"2. I'm thinking possible essay topics now: in the "additional essay option" on some apps, i could write about supporting my family and that whole situation, etc. and for the regular essay, i was gonna write about overcoming my fear of public speaking and being the keynote for a national conference. </p>
<p>how do those sound? for virginia and unc im gonna get a little more creative and talk about a specific experience i had in north dakota (the prize from one of my essay contests was a free trip to a youth conference there) watching a real native american speak and the inspiration behind her, etc. and then im also gonna write about my curiousity about people from different places and how i think other people from those places view me and how we're all so different and how that absolutely fascinates "</p>
<p>Supporting your family, etc. is definitely an essay that you should include. Make sure that you say what you've learned through this experience. If there's a Papa Johns Pizza in your area, you also could use this essay for their scholarship contest, which usually has a Feb. 15 deadline, and the scholarship apps are available in Jan. Their scholarships are based on character, and they greatly admire hard work and rising to challenges! </p>
<p>The scholarships are $1,000 and are based on character. If you get the scholarship and you get a 3.0 fall of freshman year, fall semester, they give you $2,000 more. They don't tell you this, however, when you get the $1,000 scholarship. I know because my S got the $1,000 scholarship and got in Dec. of freshman year a letter saying he could get $2,000 more with proof of a 3.0.</p>
<p>Also make sure that your GC includes info about your family and how you've risen to the challenge, including how you've juggled so many ECs while also helping out your family. </p>
<p>I also suggest that you send the Indian-related one to all of the colleges, not the speech one. The speech one would be ok, but the Indian one will stand out even more. Colleges are very impressed by students who are open to learning from other cultures. Your being able to do that while being so far away from home also shows a strength of character that indicates you'd be able to handle well a college environment. So many people whine and complain when they are in new environments. So many people also look down on other cultures for being different than their own. Your open mindedness would stand out.</p>
<p>There also are some diversity scholarships that some schools have that you could use that to apply for. Often their essay prompts are things like, "Having a diverse environment is important for our college. Describe how you'd contribute to this." Many people incorrectly assume that such questions are designed only for underrepresented minorities, but that's not true. People of any race with an appreciation for other cultures as well as their own can get such scholarships, which often are very generous.</p>
<p>Another poster asked an important question that you need to answer: How much have you discussed college with your parents? I know that they are very busy, ill and stressed, but it is important for you to sit down and talk with them so everyone knows any restrictions or limitations that they are placing.</p>
<p>Realize, too, that many colleges require students (and preferably their parents, too, if that's possible) to come over the summer to orientations. If the college that you pick is very far away, that would be difficult for you and probably impossible for your parents. Similarly, most parents have a Parents Weekend during fall semester. It would be nice if the college that you select is close enough that your proud parents could visit you then.</p>
<p>Given your dad's illness, it would not be unreasonable for them to ask you to stay within a few hours drive of home. Fortunately, in NY, that leaves many good and appropriate options. You are very lucky to be in an area with so many good coleges nearby.</p>
<p>Also make sure that your parents know that they need to get their tax info done in Jan. so that you and they can file the financial aid forms that colleges require. This will be a lot of work since they also have a family business and other concerns, but for you to get the aid that you need, your financial aid info needs to be filed as early, completely and accurately as possible. Your parents also should submit a letter providing info about your dad's illness and the economic impact on your family.</p>
<p>If you apply to USC, make sure you also apply for a McNair Scholarship. The app is not short, but definitely worth the time. Competition for these scholarships seems to get keener every year, but with this particular scholarship you can get a full ride (including r&B). Outside scholarships can be stacked up, and that $$ could be used for travel. It is easy to fly home from Columbia.</p>
<p>We also had good experience with U of Richmond. Terrific admissions staff!</p>
<p>what about the Ohio University Honors Tutorial college? </p>
<p><a href="http://www.honors.ohio.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.honors.ohio.edu/</a></p>
<p>your stats and EC's seem to be in line with what they are looking for. Athens is a 6 1/2 hour drive from buffalo -- so it is far enough away to be completely different and yet still close enough to drive to for a long weekend (if you want). </p>
<p>They have a number of scholarships -- <a href="http://www.honors.ohio.edu/scholarships.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.honors.ohio.edu/scholarships.htm</a> -- and you would also qualify for some financial aid. </p>
<p>You might try taking the ACT to see if you can get a higher score -- it may make a huge difference in the amount you can get for merit aid (for example, with your current SAT score you would get $4,000 in scholarship money at Ohio University -- add 30 points to that, bringing it up to 1400 -- and you would qualify for full in-state tuition.</p>
<p>Definitely consider your in state public university. Other options would be BYU. Yes, it is a morman oriented school; however, it is heavily subsidized by the church and has great programs. Tuition for non mormans is about $5,000 per year, and I am not kidding! They also have a lot of scholarship programs.</p>
<p>Just curious, what majors are of interest to you?</p>
<p>"To provide an educational opportunity primarily for students from Appalachia, black and white, who have great promise and limited economic resources.</p>
<p>Fair enough, but if you check, you'll see that they have students from more than 40 states (and about 30 countries) all receiving full scholarships.</p>
<p>You have U of South Carolina/Columbia on your list. If this year is any indication, you could be a student who would receive one of their scholarships for OOS students based on the stats you posted. That would give you the scholarship, plus a reduction to the in state rate. DD, for example, got the McKissick Scholarship which is $2000 per year. BUT she also got the reduction to instate tuition, a savings of about $13,000 per year. Her cost of attendance (including room board, and tuition)there would have been about $12,000 per year...less than our instate flagship without aid. U of South Carolina will also give federal need based aid in addition to their scholarships if you qualify for it. However, the school will not be free...no school will be free (well...there are a couple that give true full rides, but not many) as the schools do assume at least a student contribution.</p>
<p>Also, what about Otterbein in Ohio? It's a small LAC but my understanding is that they give terrific merit aid to students they are trying to attract. The OP would be near the top of their applicant pool if this year is any indication. That might be good. Another option would be Denison.</p>
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<blockquote> <blockquote> <ol> <li>Is UPenn a strong possibility for me? What other ivies could i potentially look into/higher schools that meet 100% need? <<<</li> </ol> </blockquote> </blockquote>
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<p>If you seriously want to pursue an ivy, why not Cornell -- in your own state and I think there is a price break for some NY students since it is part "land grant". It probably also meets 100% of need.</p>
<p>Re Cornell: for some of the schools (Engineering not included) the tuition is lower for New York residents. Cornell does meet 100% of need, but beware the possibilty that the FA package MAY consist of a heavy loan load.</p>
<p>Check the admissions and the FA sites for Cornell. The FA site has the tuition for the various schools listed.</p>
<p>Thanks so much!!!!!</p>
<p>First, I want to clear up a few things:
1. My family does not own a business lol I have NO idea where that came from.
2. I'm not a URM.
3. My dad is no longer completely ill. His cancer was removed -- a process that took 6 months, tremendous sickness, etc. -- and he still has to go for checkups and all, but he is a survivor. (completely miraculous btw cuz the nurses in the hospital, upon seeing him 9 months after and healthy, said that they dont see many of his kind still walking around).
4. My parents are ok with me going away, but I'm staying on the east coast so that we could potentially drive to where we need to go or fly easily. Trips home could be funded through outside scholarships, which i will be applying for alot.
5. My family is not DEPENDENT on my work currently, but rather I help with my own expenses so they dont have to take care of me so much financially (ie: i pay for my own clothes, i pay for the car's gas, all of my own clothes, schoolbooks, drivers ed, college apps, everything extra basically).
6. keep in mind the financial situation that took place when my dad was sick: we only had $120/wk from the state to live off of. the rest came from our savings. 6 months quickly ate up all the savings. at this time my work was even more crucial. </p>
<p>i'm not considering berea either. I looked into that awhile ago.</p>
<p>I'm applying to cornell for fun...to "get into an ivy" bc most top students from my school get in. however, i'm very worried about the loans.</p>
<p>did someone seriously suggest harvard? would i even have a chance? lol</p>
<p>my major: business and psych double major. at vandy: Human organizational development, and at virginia (to give me an edge): classics since i studied latin for 3 years in high school and have won a few awards in it, so its legit. id just switch when/if i got in. </p>
<p>Thanks so much once again. this is helping me TREMENDOUSLY!!</p>
<p>btw, great feedback on my essays re: the native american one. i will definitely pursue that one as my quirky and unique essay, particularly for virginia, vandy, unc, cornell, etc. </p>
<p>if a school only asks for one essay, can I mail them another one as a supplement??? (ie dayton only asks for one, but its one of my top choices too (safety) but id like to include both the north dakota one and the speech one, since my speech is a national thing, a very unique experience, and a fear of public speaking overcome all in one -- tells alot about me. </p>
<p>and yes, my counselor is addressing my dads issue in my rec and my contributions, etc.</p>
<p>once again, thank you so much!</p>
<p>With financial aid you and your parents have to use some strategy.
As a senior you have to apply the sooner the better, when schools still have money to give. Even with generous schools which have plenty of money to give many of them run out of allowed budget later on.
If your family has low income - state schools will be your best option because they are obligated to give need based aid to instate students first. OOS state schools generally will be your worst bet as they are usually have very limited aid and it will be first directed towards their instate students.
You also have to know that private schools also have obligation to give need based aid first to their own instate students so consider carefully what are options in your state.
OTOH private schools are much more flexible in their aid so if your profile fits needs certain school you might find your fin aid package will reflect it very much. It is not clear how to find schools that might be interested in you so you have to do careful reseach, read USnews.com, schools own profiles, common data set, strategic plan/ some schools do not publish it but will provide you with one if you ask/. Some schools will clearly state what kind of students they are interested in and tell how much fin aid you might get. It is a process and hopefully someone in your family can help you do reseach. We all have heard that sometimes it is your major, or EC, or geographic location is all it takes for school to be VERY interested in you compare to other applicants with same stats. I know incident of girl applying for math/ physics major to top 25 LAC and being admitted with excellent merit aid due to being one of only 3 girls who applied for that major/ rest were males/.
Next- if you are looking to compare fin aid package you have to apply to plenty of school, would suggest something around 10 schools.
Get your parents income tax numbers and play with EFC calculators you can find on line to figure out what are your possible options. You stand to get most aid at school where your numbers will put you in top 25% of students.
Many schools will appreciate personal attention- email your region representative, go to college fairs, establish some relationship with adcom people. Usually smaller schools will pay close attention to shown interest. There are plenty of schools that will track your interest in them.
Sending addtional essay is ok as long as your whole application is well though out and carefully planned. Every small question has to be answered in a way to show who and what you are.
But remember the thick application is usually suspicios ;)
Also some schools have their own scholarship applications - for some talent portfolio, math or creative writing skills etc. Check out with each school to see if you can apply.</p>
<p>GetOuttaBuffalo -
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my major: business and psych double major. at vandy: Human organizational development, and at virginia (to give me an edge): classics since i studied latin for 3 years in high school and have won a few awards in it, so its legit. id just switch when/if i got in.
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My heart sinks when I read things like this. I believe it is dishonest to represent yourself as a classics scholar as a way to game the system and gain admittance. :( ... BTW Ohio University gives full in-state tuition. OOS students must still pay a surcharge, although it is mitigated by an additional OOS award that pays about half the surcharge.</p>
<p>With OU, I would get in-state tuition, which is still 8k + room and board. That's still a lot for an "average" school. If I'm going to take out loans, I'd rather it be at Vandy or UVA.</p>
<p>The UVA major thing isn't really that bad because I am actually interested in classics, so I will probably just add on a double major there in business. People change their majors so much anyway. At least I'm not claiming an engineering major or something I truly have no interest in whatsoever just to get an edge as a female engineering major. I'll think about it...maybe I'll just go with undecided off the bat so i wont be judged by my major at all.</p>
<p>$7240 for non-LDS students at BYU, not $5,000. More in line with OU.</p>