If need-based aid is not an option, then – as Erin’s Dad and MYOS1634 have mentioned – look at schools that will offer merit aid. Here is a thread that discusses southern LACs, which might give you some ideas about schools to look into, in addition to what other schools have been mentioned: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1671635-southern-lacs-p1.html
If you know that you’re going on to graduate school, and money will be an important factor along the way, then consider seriously the in-state option: UT-Knoxville has very good science programs in its College of Arts and Sciences; and if you do well there in a science major then you can probably get into a good graduate program in your area of interest at another school. (I did, in fact.) As mentioned above, most research universities offering graduate degrees usually will offer, for a 2-year master’s program, 2 years of tuition waiver plus (perhaps) a stipend, in exchange for teaching laboratory sections, grading papers, etc.; or you might be funded by a grant through a professor or department; or something like that.
thanks @gandalf78 It’s great that graduate programs have tuition waivers and stipends. I’m having trouble determining how much of my college fund I can dip into though. It’s hard to determine if it’s safe to use most of it on my undergraduate education since there’s a possibility I could get into a grad program with a tuition waiver
@TotallyTrudy I know this post is a few days old, but as long as you haven’t taken the ACT more than 3 times, I’d suggest that you take it again in efforts to raise the 32 to a 34. Despite what you may think, it’s not difficult to raise your scores.
Quick ex: First time I scored a 30 - (30E, 30M, 30R, 28S)
Second time I scored a 32 - (33E, 32M, 33R, 28S)
Third (and final time) I scored a 34 - (36E, 35M, 33R, 31S) - all of my scores but reading went up by 3 points
I did no prep between the 30 and 32 and the only prep I did in between the 32 and 34 was a couple practice tests a few days prior to test day. I don’t know you; however, I’d say you’re capable of increasing your scores more, and more than capable of doing so with adequate preparation.
I’m the same age as you and my list was never more than 4. Now it is 2, one match that I have a good chance of acceptance and one open admission safety. You don’t need more if you have safeties you will be happy at and can afford. Don’t let other people pressure you into more. I know there are people in my school that apply to a dozen schools and some people feel they have to do the same.
Applying to only 2 colleges is a bad strategy, unless you’re absolutely certain you’ll get in (ie., the school has 60%+ admissions rates or you automatically qualify for Honors College or you’re an automatic admit), absolutely certain you can afford the cost, and like the school. Even then it’s not a good strategy simply because you will change a lot between now and who you’ll be in September 2016. The college may not offer the major you’re now interested in, or you discover it’s not accredited, or you figure out their career center is useless, or you aren’t as sure you want to stay close to home… Think back to February 2014: haven’t you changed a lot since then?
Thank you @Mandias09 I’m probably going to take the ACT is September.