Having a stroke

Applying to College
1

Hi. I know I’ve posted something very similar to this before, in another forum, so I apologize if this sounds repetetive.

I’m a seventeen year old girl from the Chicago suburbs (senior this fall) and I’m extremely worried about college. Not only can I not afford anything, (have twin brother attending college at the same time as I will be, and a younger brother currently a sophomore in HS.)

I want to major in Social Work, English, something that has to do with any kind of social service or anything that can cater to any writing talents that I may have. Does anyone know schools that specialize in that kind of thing? Or maybe even of any who have “unusual majors”? like having to deal with relief work or something?

And is there any possible way I can get a HUGE sum of money to pay for colleges? I dont think these 500 dollar essay contests are going to cut really deep in a $31000 yearly tuition.

Anywho…if it’s not too much trouble…I’d very much appreciate if you could take a look at my stats and maybe suggest some colleges for me. Though I fear it’s <em>very</em> much of a reach, I’m looking towards private, east coast universities. If you could, feel free to suggest majors/minors, as I’m still undecided there as well.

Here is all I can possibly think to say of myself right now:

3.6 GPA unweighted (I know it sucks, but I take math/science courses)
AP English/Govt./History Classes
29 ACT (34 English, 30 Reading, 27 Math, 24 Science)
Going to be in Rotary Club and Youth In Govt. come Fall
Attended Illini Girls’ State in June 2005
Active in community service
Active in theatre–have played leads in musicals/other shows, have either acted or worked tech in 9 shows thus far
Active in Speech Team – three years by graduation, varsity member, have placed first in very large/reigional/confrence meets
Write frequently
Drama Guild
Who’s Who nomination
Have worked for school television station in the past
Have worked numerous fundraisers for Drama Club
Helped organize a school supply drive
Have held three summer jobs since freshman year: Corn detassling (hard physical labor!) and two jobs in Food service (also hard)
Have taken five years of Spanish, attempting bilingualism

<li>For senior year, I am taking Pre-Calc all year round (ugh, i know, but there is totally no way i’m going to flunk out of math in college, i just can’t afford it.), AP Government, AP English, AP Composition. </li>

Wow, so that’s a lot of stuff to ask. But my family is not very up to speed with the whole college admissions process and they’d rather I stay instate and I really really dont want to. I have no idea where to look, how to get money, or if colleges have any sweet social-workish majors i haven’t heard of yet. Please help!

Sarah

2

<p>Sarah, will you qualify for any need based aid or are you just looking for merit aid? Your family should use the estimator on this site if you don't know. Also read through the first few threads in financial aid for basic advice.</p>

3

<p>Gosh, no, not at all. Need based aid is out of the question. My parents' combined income is about 135 grand. That can support three kids fine...but two kids in college (and soon three) is going to be a huge struggle. Not fair, if you ask me. </p>

<p>I think I can apply for merit based.</p>

4

<p>"Who's Who nomination", "fund raiser for drama club" and "writes frequently"?? Can those go into you college resume too? Err... i dont think they are really accountable... ;)</p>

<p>But anyway!!</p>

<p>First of all, I think you have great applications (maybe you dont think so..).
Second of all, i think you should fish around the schools and make appointments with the admission officers so you can work out some scholarship deals (Yes, you CAN work out some definite scholarship amounts. Just tell the officer what kind of scholarship/deals you are recieving in other colleges and im sure they can work out a handsome amount of aid.)
Third of all, what about SATs and GPAs? I know that ACT can take place of SAT, but it is kinda hard to tell you what colleges are safety/match without your overall standarized test and academic records.</p>

<p>I'd say that you should look at USNEWS (many ppl dont like it, but at least its a reliable source) and see the top 50 colleges and what you like...</p>

<p>Only suggestions here ... if you still cant recieve enough scholarships... i suggest you go rob a bank... :D</p>

5

<p>Three kids in college could well mean some aid for a family that makes $135K. Figure out the EFC.</p>

<p>How are your state choices?</p>

6

<p>Yeah, I just put down everything I could possibly think of :)</p>

<p>Well my GPAs aren't that strong...my cumulative for three years is 3.6...um, as far as standardized testing...I've always done exceptionally well in english and exceptionally bad in math. I have yet to take the SAT. I remember for the NMSQT or whatever it was called, I was ranked in the 91st percentile of test takers in the nation. It's not great..but that's really all I can remember that may be of significance. </p>

<p>What do you mean by state choices, Zagat? </p>

<p>Thanks so much for your quick responses, guys!</p>

7

<p>
[quote]
What do you mean by state choices

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Programs at your local state univeristy (honors programs, merit aid etc). It is important that you work your list from the bottom up with a financial safety- if you are accepted, you will be happy to attend and it is a financially feasible option for your family.</p>

<p>When you and your borother file your FAFSA/CSS profile, shcools will take into consideration that there will be 2 students in college at the same time. YOu may need to look at a wide variety of schools, also looking at some tier 2 schools where you will be an attractive applicant for merit aid.</p>

<p>Also check out <a href="http://www.fairtest.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.fairtest.org&lt;/a> for the list of SAT optional schools as you may find a good fit among those schools also.</p>

<p>Zagat is right when she said that you should run your numbers through a few financial aid claculators so that you can get an idea of where you stand. Have a realistic conversation with your parent regarding what they can realistically afford/can and are willing to do. It makes no sense to apply to a 40,000+/yr school to find out there is no way that you can financially make it work.</p>

<p>When doing your reasearch you have to carefully read the financial aid policies, if there are deadlines, make sure you get your paperwork weel before the deadline. You also want to look at the average amount of debt that a student ,raduates with. Remember that a school can meet % of your demonstrated need and meet that need using loans instead of grant aid.</p>

8

<p>so who's having a stroke?</p>