<p>Well WashU gives bad aid, and Vanderbilt isn’t really a fit, (IMO). But thanks for the suggestions and the replies, I appreciate it.</p>
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<p>What about Northwestern? It’s the right size, it has an amazing business program (Kellogg Certificate…), and it probably falls near Emory in selectivity. I think their financial aid policy dictates that I would have no loans (and thus basically a full ride). It fits everything I’m looking for. What do all of you think? Is it too much of a reach to add to my list? At least it doesn’t have the “demonstrated interest” issue like Emory does, which will probably hurt me because I can’t afford to visit Emory.</p>
<p>NU is a reach, but more reasonable. I would take Wharton off the list. Too much work to apply and they are not a school where ‘stories’ effect admission.</p>
<p>I’m still not sure whether you want people to rate you based on your actual SAT score, or what you say you are shooting for. Because there’s a big difference there, almost 200 points.</p>
<p>If you are wanting to base it on a projected score for a test next month, why not wait until then, rather than going through this frenzy now?</p>
<p>You can rate me based on my current 2080 or on my projected 2250+ (timed blue-book tests), or on both possibilities.</p>
<p>hmom5: I’m not sure about removing Wharton, it’s one of my top dream schools… and I’m willing to put in the work to apply.</p>
<p>Is your projected score based off of actual performance on blue book tests?</p>
<p>I have taken 3 timed Blue Book tests this past month: 2240, 2270, 2250.</p>
<p>Northwestern is a great idea and a terrific school. I have heard they are not that generous with financial aid, however, and I am surprised to hear they are a no loan school.</p>
<p>^ Yea and if anyone can confirm that would be good. These are my two sources…
[Student</a> financial aid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_financial_aid]Student”>Student financial aid - Wikipedia)
[FinAid</a> | Answering Your Questions | No Loans for Low Income Students](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/questions/noloansforlowincome.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/questions/noloansforlowincome.phtml)</p>
<p>I guess my list of colleges is now:</p>
<p>Stanford
Yale
Wharton
Columbia
Dartmouth
Duke
Northwestern
Emory
USC
Alabama</p>
<p>Better than the first one no? So if anyone still wants to offer chance/advice, base it off this list.</p>
<p>Honestly? There are still no real matches. Let’s assume for a minute we’re just going on current stats–there is a very good chance you’ll be in Alabama this time next year. Do you really like Alabama enough? I know you don’t think you’ll be happy at LACs, but the question for me is would you really choose Alabama over all the full need LACs you have the stats for?</p>
<p>You’re interested in business. School matters for jobs in business. Alabama might get you decent jobs in Alabama, but it will be limiting back home in CA and in much of the Country. So have you thought through the trade offs? 4 years at the larger college you want vs. access to good jobs in business?</p>
<p>Also, since you seem hell bent on going to an elite college, transferring is certainly a possibility. A strong senior year, higher scores, a strong first year of colleges–all of that would make an ivy much more likely. Do you want to try that transfer from Alabama or an overall stronger school?</p>
<p>Ok hmom5, fine. Give me one school and I’ll add it. I really don’t know which of the many LAC examples to add, and they all seem mostly the same to me, so just suggest me one school, the best choice I have, while still being safe for admissions, and I’ll add it and apply, just for you. :] Preferably Northeast/mid-atlantic, and something that would fill in everything you just described in your last post. Good job recruiting, and a school respectable enough to possibly transfer to Ivies, etc.</p>
<p>if you like big schools, why are you choosing Dartmouth, which is like a LAC. </p>
<p>hmom5- which LACs do you think the OP can be competitive at? Amherest and Pomona?</p>
<p>Is this your entire list? As a Californian, I guess I’m wondering why you aren’t even interested in trying for any UCs. With in-state tuition, even if you have to take out some loans it won’t be as oppressive as some of these choices.</p>
<p>If you go for finance, Berkeley’s B-school is higher rated than some Ivies, and the Anderson School at UCLA is not far behind. I’m not saying you for sure would get in, but you’d have mid-level chances. And they don’t have to be your top choice.</p>
<p>shuaishuaishuai: I don’t like the small-size of LACs, but Dartmouth has about 4,000 undergrads. most LACs have like 1500 kids. It’s also perfect for everything else I want to do. (Business, economics, internships, financial aid, the outdoors, etc…)</p>
<p>bovertine: Yess, UCs would be great options but my situation with State residency is shaky, so I’m not counting on it. I just moved back to CA and my mom is still in another state. I’ll apply to UCs and see if they count me as a resident. If not, I’ll just forget about them because I can’t afford OOS tuition.</p>
<p>^ yeah your situation is a little weird. You did go to schools in Cali for three years, shouldn’t you count as from Cali?</p>
<p>^ well yeah that would make sense, but the UC system seems to have a lot of red tape. It would be great if Cal, UCLA, UCSD etc… suddenly become options. I’m just not counting on it. I’ll see what they say when I’m applying</p>
<p>Bates…</p>
<p>Bates seems great. updated list:</p>
<p>Stanford
Yale
Wharton
Columbia
Dartmouth</p>
<p>Duke
Northwestern
Emory
USC</p>
<p>Bates
Alabama</p>
<p>You know, I’m even thinking of just forgetting Alabama… but only if you think Bates is a sufficient safety for me. Is it?</p>
<p>Bates would be a match! If it honestly sounds interesting, add a couple more!!</p>
<p>Haha hold on, it’s better than Alabama but it’s not necessarily the type of school I’d like to attend</p>
<p>besides there aren’t that many others. Davidson, Macalester and company are all in locations I wouldn’t want to go for a LAC. I’d prefer to have a full-need LAC in New England, which is why I’m willing to accept that Bates might be alright.</p>