Full-ride or full tuition scholarships?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I have a 3.85 GPA, 4 AP classes, a 2100 SAT, and above-average extracurriculars.</p>

<p>Are there any schools with good academics that I could get either full rides or full tuition scholarships from based on merit? Ones that aren't hugely competitive, preferably?</p>

<p>My family is upper middle class and makes more than the average family. However we are hugely in debt and I can't afford to go to college out of state, and also colleges would probably be reluctant to offer us need-based aid considering that we make $140k or so.</p>

2

<p>What is the breakdown of your SAT score? (Many scholarships are awarded based on Math and CR scores of the SAT)</p>

<p>Are you going to take the ACT?</p>

<p>What state are you in?</p>

<p>Are you a junior in high school?</p>

<p>What is your likely major/career?</p>

<p>How much can your parents contribute towards your education per year? $10k? $15k? more? less?</p>

3

<p>Check out University of Alabama.</p>

4

<p>Math score is 680, CR is 690. I’m not going to take the ACT. I’m in MD. I’m a junior. I have no idea what I’m going to major in but I’m leaning toward the humanities. My parents want to contribute $20k or less.</p>

5

<p>Well…since your Writing score was 730, you really SHOULD take the ACT and this is why… :)</p>

<p>Scholarships are often awarded by adding the M + CR of the SAT (in your case 1370). While that is a good score, it’s just short of 1400 where some full tuition scholarships start. Right now, with a 1370/1600 SAT, Bama (for instance) would give you a 2/3 tuition scholarship (which is about $12,500 per year)</p>

<p>BUT…since you’re strong in Writing, if you take the ACT, then your Writing score would count and likely boost your score.</p>

<p>Either way, you need to take the SAT again. Hopefully you can get your M + CR over that 1400 magic number. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>BTW…what career are you interested with a degree in the humanities? law? teaching? Do you have any leanings?</p>

<p>The good news that with your parents contribution and some merit, you should have some choices.</p>

<p>:)</p>

6

<p>Two older threads on this topic with good advice on search techniques are:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/291483-update-what-i-learned-about-free-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/291483-update-what-i-learned-about-free-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>None of the in-state Maryland schools cost more than $20,000 (public, anyway).</p>

8

<p>Also recommend you try the ACT. My D scored much higher on the ACT than the SAT. Also, many schools that require a science SAT II will accept ACT score instead as there is a science component (must take the ACT exam with writing). Most kids in our area do not consider taking the ACT, doesn’t seem very popular in the northeast. However, I think it’s worth the $47 and a morning of your time to try it…could mean the difference between a partial/full tuition offer or not.</p>

9

<p>Thirding the ACT. I got a 32 on the ACT and a 1240 on the SAT. The ACT got me into schools my SAT wouldn’t have (and scholarships - including the one I’m on right now).</p>

10

<p>Thanks everyone, I’ll definitely look into taking the ACT then.</p>

<p>@applicannot: I don’t want to stay in-state.</p>

11

<p>McDaniel College - right in your home state. You could get a very good merit scholarship there.</p>

12

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<p>Sure, either do I. But if all else fails, you may have to choose between debt and staying in state. What is more important to you? Hopefully, all else won’t fail.</p>