So we’re starting the search for D21, who is completely different than S17, even attends a different school, so I feel like I’m starting from scratch in a way. We have a good start with safety and match schools, I think, but I’m having trouble coming up with reaches. I don’t think Ivies will be in reach and, even if they were, budge probably won’t work. We’re hoping to come in around $30k per year
D21 right now 3.85 weighted (school only reports weighted), doesn’t rank but school profile report will probably have her in the top 30% of her class of about 475. Very competitive, nationally ranked public school. Very good college placements, but the majority can likely afford full pay. First shot at the SAT was a 1270 (700 ERW 570 Math). She should be able to get that math up with some focused prep. Taking the ACT Saturday; she got a 25 on the unprepped practice she took the beginning of sophomore year (before completing Algebra 2 last year).
Psychology/criminology/forensics the main area of interest right now. We have Clark, Susquehanna, TCNJ and Rowan on the list as of now. She wants small classes, to get to know her professors, a college town - walkable campus with things to do. Won’t look at Rutgers because of the busses - busses to class is a big no. Doesn’t care for Greek life or big sports scene. Pretty quiet, shy, not a big party kid. She mentioned Brown - definitely a reach, but probably an unrealistic reach for both admissions and affordability. Doesn’t want the deep south, but loves being near water.
Maybe some financial aid from the most generous schools, but our EFC for S17 in usually around $25-30K. He’s at an in-state public, so we’re full pay for him. I think merit is our best option.
She might qualify for significant merit at Arcadia, in PA, a small school with good forensics programs. Another option would be WVU which lists auto-merit for stats on its webpage so you can get an idea of costs. I don’t know the campus personally but graduates that I know say that the town and school are nice. U of New Haven has a major new forensics science center and she’d likely get merit aid there as well. You might also want to run the numbers at Seton Hall and Fairleigh Dickinson.
You asked for reaches and I know that none of these are. But they might get you to budget. Getting those test scores up will also help to unlock the merit money.
Can you calculate the unweighted GPA yourself based on prior report cards? That would help to define the safety/match/reach picks.
You don’t really need reaches if she’s happy with the matches and safeties.
Florida Tech has a very good forensic psychology program, and the other things you asked for like a walkable campus and by the water. Florida isn’t really ‘the deep south’ as once you cross I-4 it’s more like you are in Boston or NY again (based on the license plates). Most of my daughter’s classmates were from NY, NJ, or MD.
@twoinanddone Good point about not needing reaches. She’s actually very happy with her safeties, but as senior year inches closer she seems to be feeling the peer pressure.
Thanks for the reminds of Arcadia - study abroad is one of her top priorities so we had wanted to look there! And College of Charleston looks great, too. I worry it’s too far, but I won’t make her limit her list just based on that.
Appreciate all the suggestions!
With an EFC of $25-30k, and costs in the $70k range at a number of private schools, your DD should be in the running for financial aid at such schools. Please run the NPCs for her at various schools you are considering.
You are in a good position in that you are willing and able to pay your EFC. In state public schools are affordable to you. What you need to expand your list are some OOS public’s that may give you in state rates that bring the cost to the affordable range, or financial aid that fully or close to it, meets your need, or merit money, or a combination of these things.
Pure merit at a private school that runs $60-70k in COA means awards in the $30-40k range Merit at schools in those amounts go the the very top students there. Chances of getting that kind of merit money at reach schools are very small. Even top students cannot take large awards like that for granted unless they are automatically awarded at given grades/test score thresholds.
I recommend looking at schools that meet full or close to full need. They will be reached in that a number of them are need aware in admissions and those that are both need blind AND meet full need are highly selective.
Of the top of my head, I come up with Bentley, Wooster, Kalamazoo, Albright, Trinity(both TX and CT), Union colleges.
Hofstra and UDenver have come up with good combos of need/merit. Binghamton has given OOS supplements. York College in PA has a sticker price under $35k Mcdaniel, St Lawrence, Ursinus , Lasalle, Elizabethtown also possibilities
@MACmiracle it’s still on the list. We haven’t gotten to visit yet, so not sure what she’ll think. She really likes Rowan, so right now that’s the one to beat as we start looking. We’re looking at TCNj in state too. Stockton is more transparent with their merit, so I hope she likes it!
Just want to pop in here and say the University of Delaware is not really near water. The beaches (which are glorious to be sure and students to spend time there) are still well over an hour away.
Burlington, VT is a great college town.