I’m currently a black high school student that attends and has been attending one of the prestigious and top private schools in Texas on scholarship. I REALLY want to attend an HBCU…It’s an experience Ive been longing for since 7th grade. I’ll be majoring in nursing and plan on pursing a DNP after undergrad. However, I want to go where I get MONEY to go. I don’t want to spend a dime on my education. I’m a smart girl but my grades aren’t off the charts; My school is extremely rigorous.
Cumulative GPA: 3.4 so far
Expected Junior Year GPA: 3.6
Expected Senior GPA: 3.8 or up
basic un-prepped ACT: 24 i’ll be taking multiple times to get a 26 or superstore of 28 or up
I’m involved in a ton of community service, track and field, volleyball, at school leadership and choral and acapella groups. I’m also in a program with the black MBAA that helps highs school students create case studies to present at national competitions.
I’m interested in FAMU, Howard, Tuskegee and Xavier. Would I get a full ride to any of these schools?
Tuskegee: full ride @ 3.7 / 29, full tuition @ 3.5 / 26
Howard: full ride @ 3.5 / 32, full tuition @ 3.0 / 26
Florida A&M: full ride @ 3.5 / 29, full tuition @ 3.5 / 27
Plus some other HB schools:
NC Central: full ride @ 3.5 / 29
Prairie View A&M: full ride @ 3.5 / 26, full tuition @ 3.25 / 24
Obviously, you want to bring your GPA up over 3.5 at least by the end of junior year (when colleges will see it when you apply). You may want to retry the ACT and try the SAT to get scores high enough for better scholarships (equivalent SAT scores also qualify for the same scholarships, and some students do better on the SAT than ACT and vice-versa).
Since you know which specific schools interest you most, I would contact them directly by phone and ask about whether you are in the ballpark for students who receive merit scholarships and what you can do in the coming year to strengthen your application most. Don’t forget that there may also be aid based on your family finances. It sounds as if you have a rising GPA in a challenging high school and some great extra-curriculars. It’s test scores that sound a bit weak, but if you are a junior you have some time to improve those. Schools will not think less of you for calling and asking them questions: they will think you are a proactive and seriously interested candidate for admission.
They say that they make JUST over what it takes to get the max financial aid. I know schools like TAMU and harvard cover full tuition if you are accepted and you’re family income is 60,000 or under. They say they make just a little bit above that.
Family income just over $60,000 could still qualify for significant aid at some colleges, but you need to try each college’s net price calculator (on its web site) to get that college’s estimate.