<p>I'm currently outside the U.S., helping one of my parents take care of an ailing relative and this will take most of this summer. With my dad overwhelmed with hospital visits etc..., there's no time for him to help out with the college admissions process, and I'll need to get started right NOW. I have Internet access, but we don't have a car here, or any of the usual luxuries in the U.S.; it's not too bad here but it's still a foreign country.</p>
<p>Looking through the "Under 3.6 GPA and Applying to Top 20 Schools" thread, I'm realizing how little I know nothing about this process. I have no idea what Naviance is, how to come up with a list of good fits, EFC's and anything related to paying for college, etc... </p>
<p>I'm one of those 3.6, 3.7 GPA/ high (ish) SAT kids, and it hasn't really been until my junior year that I've completely focused in school (paid off in terms of numbers, grades, but it limited most of my EC's). I don't even know what I want to major in lol (my parents, like most parents, are pushing me towards the medical field). </p>
<p>Any advice on which threads to read, any must know info, would be very much appreciated.</p>
<p>You should get yourself over to the financial aid forum to get educated. You should find out how much they could afford and what is your expected family contribution.</p>
<p>We were all in the same boat when we started the college process. It’s just a lot of leg work on the computer to look up schools. Do you attend a US High school? If not, that does complicate the process some. I am assuming you are going to be a senior so yes, you do need to start, now. Can you visit a couple schools wherever you are now to get an idea of what kind of campus you want–or do you know already, small, large, rural, urban, etc. Then go to a college search site like the “SuperMatch” here or on the Collegeboards site (SAT site). You can put in your information-type of school, size of school, location, etc. and then start reading about schools that fit those. Make a list of the ones that sound appealing. Make sure you get a range of costs for the schools you are considering.</p>
<p>Most schools have a Net Price Calculator on their site somewhere. You plug in your GPA/SAT/ACT scores and family income information and they give you an idea of what merit aid you might get and what your net cost will be roughly. We have an excel spreadsheet to keep track of all of that because it’s just easier. Make some kind of a list.</p>
<p>Applications are available online for many schools already. Check to see if the schools you find use what is called The Common Application. It is one application you can send to many schools. If you do a google search for the common app you can find their website and get more information. That application goes live on August 1st and you can start applying to schools.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry too much about majors. Most kids don’t know what they want to do or if they have an idea, most kids end up changing their minds anyway. Find a school that fits you and work from there.</p>
<p>Agree with SteveMA that starting with the collegeboard.org site is a good idea. It gives you good ideas about what factors to consider in making up a college list. They have “plans” for students depending on what grade they are in, so that you take things one baby step at a time. </p>
<p>Also agree with old fort that financial considerations could very well be paramount in your search. Educating yourself about financial aid will be time well spent.</p>
<p>Grades, test scores, some thoughts about what kind of college experience you’d like (and can afford) will help you get a college list together.</p>
<p>In reading OP’s post, I get the sense he/she is an US high school students, spending the summer outside of US due to a sick relative.</p>
<p>There are a lot of knowledgable parents on CC. If you tell us what you are looking for, maybe we could help you come up with a list. A very important part of this process is to know what your parents can afford and be willing to pay. Try to have that conversation with your parents if you could. Do not assume.</p>
<p>If you’ll share what state you live in (when you’re in the US) that would also help. Did you take the SAT/ACT already? Got scores? Taken any AP classes?</p>
<p>Yep, the situation is as you’ve pointed out. I’ll try and have that conversation over dinner tonight, and hopefully get a clearer idea of where my parents stand. </p>
<p>As for what I’m looking for, I would prefer a college that has sunny weather, decent sports teams (I’m a big sports fan) to watch, and… that’s all I can think of right now. Will have to get back to you guys on this. </p>
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<p>That’s reassuring, I feel a lot better now lol. When reading the exploits of other CCers, I felt that many of them knew the exact field/direction they wanted to go into, and it gave me a “Crap, now I’m behind” feeling.</p>
<p>Time to check out the CB website. :)</p>
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<p>The HS I go to is ranked top 30 in that ranking thing (US News Report?). Some basic numbers (lol, I feel like adding my height, weight and blood type whenever I say numbers).</p>
<p>GPA: 3.75 ish (3.94 in junior year though).
SAT: 2310
Taken 4 AP’s (Biology, Calculus are the biggies), got 5’s on all.</p>
<p>@ ellemenope: Have no idea what I want college to be like. HS was/is pretty bland.</p>
<p>Do you care if it is big or small? University or LAC? Are you male or female and do you want a single sex college? Does locatin matter? Urban/rural? Warm/cold? All of this will help as well.</p>
<p>Are you a PSAT NM candidate? If so, you can go to U Alabama or Baylor (Christian, so that might not fit) for free if money is an issue. (At least I think Baylor is still free.) At Pittsburgh you’ll have a good shot of getting a free ride, but it’s not in a warm, sunny climate. All three have been decent in sports lately.</p>
<p>Otherwise, you’re definitely a good candidate for any school out there. Being a candidate doesn’t mean you’ll be accepted, esp to most selective colleges, but you’re competitive. It’s a good spot to be in. There will be several merit aid options, but not everywhere guarantees free.</p>
<p>What major or field are you tending toward. Are finances an issue?</p>
<p>I think it’s great when kids don’t know what they want to study yet. However, it seems strange that someone as bright as you, who does really well in school and on tests, doesn’t have a lot of competing interests in mind.</p>
<p>Do you have any particular academic interests? Or do you just work hard to get good grades? Do you have anything that you love to do outside of school, as well?</p>
<p>So far, you have told us you want sunny weather and sports to watch. That isn’t much to go on, so if you tell us more, people can help you more.</p>
<p>Maybe you don’t like school-? Would a gap year be good for you?</p>
<p>Not knowing what you want to study is fine, as compmom says. But what would help us make recommendations is to know whether you’re a math/science sort of kid, an arts kid, or whatever.</p>
<p>I’ld prefer it medium-big rather than small. My HS is small (in terms of people and the actual facility) and though this does have its advantages, I find myself bending to some psychological barriers. </p>
<p>I usually behave according to how others expect me to,and it’s hard to break the cycle when I’ve been cast in Real World: US High Schools for too many seasons (strangers living in the same house, and you’re just stuck there w/ the same handful of people).</p>
<p>Anyway, back on topic. I’m a guy and I don’t see a single sex college in my future right now (I didn’t know there were male only colleges). Urban would be nice; had to google to find out what a LAC was. -_-</p>
<p>A university would probably work best b/c I’m the kind of student that prefers “taking notes and working in student-runs study groups” rather than “active discussion and individual attention.” (quoted from some site). Never found all the talking/discussing in class as something more than repetitive. </p>
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<p>Failed PSAT so not NM. I’m going more by process of elimination rather than what I’m leaning towards (no arts, English or writing heavy job, history, for example). Math/science fit me much better.</p>
<p>Just talked about the finances with my dad; he gave me the “college is a good investment” talk and told me to not worry too much about money… but only if the college is worthy lol. </p>
<p>I have a younger sibling, and I don’t want my parents to be overwhelmed paying two tutitions; we are middle class, and have saved wisely over the years, but, when it comes down to it, I don’t think I (not my parents) would be comfortable paying more than 35 K/year. Maybe if I get into some “dream” school, but I don’t fall in love that easily. </p>
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<p>Hmm. If I take a look at biology class for example, it was interesting learning about the digestive system but not about reproductive hormones. </p>
<p>I feel pretty ambivalent about academics in that I haven’t had a class in which I’ve felt inspired to read more into the subject; there are parts I feel are interesting but more often than not, I’m too sleep deprived to do any deep thinking.</p>
<p>As for outside interests, I had to cut down my time for them to get my numbers/grades in order this year. I love exercise, weightlifting, music, various games/gambling/nerd fests, etc… but nothing really “defines” me if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>I was thinking about a gap year too but I think I’m more likely to do something counter productive in that time if I don’t get an actual job or something similarly time consuming,</p>
<p>We sold our house a few years back so we don’t have that burden/need anymore. My parents have always been frugal in terms of everything but food. But yeah, I need to get a more solid number.</p>
<p>What is your definition of middle class? In terms of income etc…</p>
<p>Without NM, you’d still get free tuition at UA and be competitive for high merit at Pitt. Baylor drops to just 15K in merit, so kind of pricey comparatively.</p>
<p>You should also consider your state flagship or similar.</p>
<p>Appreciate the advice but my parents are fine with paying 30K per year at a top 40 or so school (it needs to fit me of course but I’m just using ranking for the context).</p>
<p>Why is there such an emphasis on NM? I get that it means some free rides at certain universities but my SAT (2310) matters a lot more than my PSAT… right? Plus, most competitive applicants are NM so it’s not like it’s much of a distinguishing factor. Just curious as to why my SAT score wouldn’t make up for some of the PSAT opportunities given to NM.</p>
<p>I’m guessing it’s because there are bragging rights that go along with X number of NMF attending.</p>
<p>It does seem weird, but it’s true with the finances at some places. My guy’s ACT matched your SAT, but he just missed with NM. In over half the states he’d have made it, but that doesn’t matter either.</p>
<p>Your folks are ok with 30K per year, but you’re aware that these places (top 40) cost between 50-60K per year, right? And some don’t offer merit aid - not even to NMF.</p>
<p>State schools cost less, and merit aid (from those who offer it) ought to get some in your range, but the top schools don’t guarantee merit aid. It’s generally competitive (and worth competing for). The competition isn’t just based upon scores and grades - those are a “bar” to get you into the competition. Then who you are and what you’ve accomplished counts.</p>
<p>Definitely try for top schools that interest you (not so many are warm, large, with great sports, and top 40 - I’m not looking at a list, but none come to mind that meet all factors). Just make certain you have something “definite” in the bag too. Some that meet some of your factors would be Duke, Stanford, UVA, Vanderbilt, USC, FSU…</p>
<p>The big deal with NM is some schools give a total FREE RIDE to NM finalists. That’s a big deal. Of course, the most selective schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton etc. …we use the acronym HYP) don’t give merit aid so being NM doesn’t help there.</p>
<p>But if you can find a school you like, that has the majors you want, and they give good merit aid based on your SAT score…you’re golden. :)</p>
<p>Thanks, I’ll definitely check those schools out. Even if those 50-60 K schools don’t offer merit aid, they do offer need based aid right? I hope so because I don’t understand why someone would pay $50 K a year for college… a lot of parents are willing to spend money for their kids, and not for themselves I guess. </p>
<p>And if you don’t mind, what school did your son end up attending? How many schools did he apply to? I’ve been reading about the need for safeties, reaches, etc… but I’m still not quite sure on how to come up with a list. :/</p>
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<p>That would be golden lol. Are their any particular top 50 schools that emphasize SAT scores? I want to turn that score into some money. </p>
HS was/is pretty bland.</p>