<p>The average cost per year for my d. at Smith came out less than it would have been for her to stay home and attend the local community college. (and that included a year in Florence)</p>
<p>^^ oh, then that won't be a problem. We'll still be living in Cali by then. </p>
<p>My family income is less than $60,000 --- so hopefully I can get into one of those snazzy schools ;)</p>
<p>I assume that the single-sex school you attended and found stifling was when you were younger. You may want to talk to a representative of a women's college about that -- quite the opposite seems to be true, though obviously individual experiences will vary widely. As an adolescent, your social needs are a bit different than they are as a young adult, when you're better able to sustain friendships over time and distance.</p>
<p>what exactly does "meet 100% of demonstrated need" mean? is that the same thing a full ride covers? like transportation, lodging, housing, food, books, etc?</p>
<p>To determine "Demonstrated Need," you must first know what your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) will be. This is a figure based on a forumula and which should remain consistent, regardless of the cost of the college you attend. To get a ballpark sense of your EFC, go to: EFC</a> Calculator</p>
<p>Once you have your EFC, tally up the "Cost of Attendance" at the college of your choice. You should include tuition, room & board, plus other reasonable expenses (e.g, books & supplies) and travel. </p>
<p>If you subtract your EFC from the "Cost of Attendance," you'll get your "Demonstrated Need."</p>
<p>In theory, a college that meets 100% of Demonstrated Need will cover not only tuition and room & board but also other necessities such as books and transportation. However, some financial aid packages may provide for all of these extras while others won't.</p>
<p>Note, too, that not all colleges that meet full need will meet it with grants (the good stuff that you don't have to pay back). Most aid packages also include Federal Work Study (i.e., a campus job) as well as loans. In the past year or so, some of the priciest colleges have decided to give only grant aid and no loans to students who fit certain income criteria. But the majority of the colleges that meet full need are still including loans as part of the aid package.</p>
<p>You sound like my D, except she's not Asian-American! She's in your boat, with parents who think she's wonderful and should be admitted anywhere. Lucky for her, though, I have been reading CC for a while now, and so am ready to be realistic. Best wishes on dealing with your parents, and I hope things go well for you.</p>
<p>If you have any questions about georgetown. I would be happy to answer them. I am a incoming freshman (school of foreign service, though I think you will be applying to the College). I have been to campus tons and have an older cousin who just graduated that I have visited many times in the last for years. we are very close. I am from socal too, so feel free to PM me or ask them here. good luck! I think you have a great senior year ahead of you.</p>
<p>athene,
first you should decide if you really need a business major. If you can live with economics, then you'll have more choices.</p>
<p>second, you need to clarify your status: international or America? Even with permanent residency you may fall into the international basket which would make financial aid more complicated.</p>
<p>third, consider going against the grain and look for colleges that don't have a large percentage of Asians. All small colleges care about their diversity figures and at many -- mainly the Midwestern or remotely located, cold and snowy ones :) -- still consider Asians as URMS.</p>
<p>In that context I'd look at Williams, Hamilton, Grinnell, Kenyon, Bowdoin, Macalester, Carlton</p>
<p>thanks to everybody who replied :) i will be trying out the EFC calculator! </p>
<p>um, I'm pretty sure PR means that I'm considered with other "American" students, instead of with international students. So far, i haven't seen anything that indicates otherwise. </p>
<p>Yeah, i think Econ would be a good route as not many schools offer business. So maybe one filter would be a strong econ/ political science depts/ programs? </p>
<p>haha. I think i'm getting rid of the warm weather screen now. That does limit my options by a lot. The only reason it was a factor was because i do suffer from nasal allergies that are exacerbated by the cold, but as I'm growing older it's less of a problem so i should be fine.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm pretty sure PR means that I'm considered with other "American" students, instead of with international students.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'd definitely check each school's policy. Colleges tend to classify internationals, even with PR status, as it suits their purposes. Maybe as an "American" in the diversity percentage, but as an "International" in the finacial aid department. Ask, and be very specific what you're concerned about -- admissions or aid.</p>
<p>If your ultimate goal is to get an MBA, a degree from any rigorously academic college in just about any field that you're interested in would do the trick. Econonmics and political science are good entrees but so are English, History, Philosophy you name it. That's the point of a liberal arts education: learn as much as you can about everything that appeals to you. </p>
<p>The "practical" part comes into play in internships, summer jobs, connections with alumni/ae in your targeted field, recommendations from professors, introductions through the school's career services. All of these selective colleges -- whether large, medium or small -- do very well in placement in graduate and professional programs. The choice of major isn't as critical as is taking advantage of the opportunities that the school offers.</p>
<p>Most academically strong colleges have good econ departments. The Washington DC schools are especially known for political science and international relations, but you can get an equally good exposure to those areas at just about any of the top rated colleges. Again, you just have to take it step by step. Get good grades, network through extracurriculars, get to know your professors (who write the recommendations), seek out internships, and understand what the career center can do for you. </p>
<p>My son's experience was at Williams which I think is typical of the extraordinary life/career preparation that these top LACs can offer, in a wide range of fields. So, my advice is to get yourself into the best (meaning most academically sound) college that you can afford and believe that one thing will lead to another.</p>
<p>If you are a U.S. Permanent Resident, you will not be considered an International Student when financial aid decisions are made. Just make sure that your application materials clearly note your status.</p>
<p>And, yes, as momrath advises, do take full advantage of internship opportunities, career-services advising, etc., wherever you land.</p>
<p>haha yes I will def. do that. </p>
<p>another question: does that mean it's better to go to a school located in urban areas then for internship opportunities?</p>
<p>In short, yes.</p>
<p>
[quote]
does that mean it's better to go to a school located in urban areas then for internship opportunities?
[/quote]
No, all colleges have internship opportunities. Obviously if you want to work on Wall Street, for example, during the school year you need to be in New York, but students at rural colleges with good connections regularly are offered internships and jobs in urban locations during school holidays and over the summer.</p>
<p>If you prefer urban life, then by all means find a college in a city. But if a college in a remote location appeals, don't worry about limiting your internship -- or eventual career -- opportunities.</p>
<p>Momrath is definitely correct. Sure, an urban area typically provides more term-time internship opportunities, but often you can find just the one you need in a less populated region.</p>
<p>Colleges outside of major cities may also bend over backwards to provide time and means for you to seek out internships and work experience. For instance, Bates College in Maine has a "Short Term" in the spring when students often leave campus for jobs, internships, or research projects. And spring is a good time to land an internship because most other college students are still in school. </p>
<p>Smith College, where I used to work, has a great deal called "Praxis." Through Praxis, the college pays students to do summer or January-term internships that would otherwise be unpaid. Praxis funds are available to all students doing appropriate unpaid internships, not just to those with financial need. </p>
<p>So don't cross the rural or small-town spots off your list for fear that they'll wreak havoc with your r</p>
<p>^ ah okay. Thanks.
and how many safeties/matches/reaches are needed for each list?
I'm thinking of using some of the less competitive UCs as safeties, such as UC Davis and UCSB.</p>
<p>athenegoddess -</p>
<p>A true safety is a college/university where you are guaranteed admission based on your stats, and that you will be able to pay for with nothing more than federally based financial aid. If you look carefully, all you will need is ONE true safety. As a California resident with good stats, your list of potential safeties include the community colleges and the state Us. The safety is the most important school for you to locate as it is your ultimate back-up plan in case everything else goes haywire. Find a safety (or safeties if you prefer) that you can feel good about attending if you need to. Then work on the rest of your list.</p>
<p>P.S. I still think you should apply to Bryn Mawr as one of your "reaches". They've got a big statue of Athene, the goddess herself, right there in Thomas Library.</p>
<p>"Momrath is definitely correct. Sure, an urban area typically provides more term-time internship opportunities, but often you can find just the one you need in a less populated region."</p>
<p>Momrath is definitely wrong. There aren't anywhere near the internship opportunities in non-urban areas to be found in urban ones. And the continuity of internships, from school year to holidays to summer, each building on the one before it, is even worse. It really isn't close. Take for example, any urban school in DC - from Howard University to Georgetown to points in between - and compare the four-year internship opportunities in public policy/international relations with those actually obtained by Williams/Amherst/Swarthmore/Dartmouth students and it becomes clear very quickly that they aren't comparable. They aren't even close to being on the same page. </p>
<p>I say that knowing that my d. had one of those wonderful Praxis internships at Smith. Didn't wreak havoc with her resume. But the internship opportunities available to her relative to what my younger daughter can access at American - during term, holidays, and summer - aren't in the least comparable.</p>
<p>Should internships be a deciding factor in where you'd like to go? Well, that's up to you. For my older one, it was non-factor. For my younger one, it was determining. But you shouldn't make believe that the differences aren't real.</p>
<p>thanks for clearing up the issue of safeties, happymomof1 ! The reason why i'm so hung up about safeties is because deep down, i'm terrified I won't get in anywhere. I know i'm being rather irrational, but with the crazy crush of students competing in the admissions cycle, I'm rather paranoid. haha the Athene statue def. got my attention ;) she's my favorite goddess out of all the crazy, incestous mythological gods!
hmm. differing opinions on internships... I guess in the grand scheme of things, internships shouldn't be the determing factor, though it would be a plus. They are also part of why urban schools are so popular, ne? </p>
<p>So 1 safety + around 9 matches/ reaches sounds good?</p>
<p>athene, the facts speak for themselves. My son and all of his friends had excellent summer internships, both paid and unpaid, and many took advantage of school funded travel opportunities. Now that they have graduated, those that have chosen not to go directly to graduate school, are ALL working in good jobs, with good organizations or firms. Their fields are various -- law, museums, teaching, environment, government, finance, architecture -- as are their locations -- New York, Boston, Washington, rural American and all over the world -- but the indisputable fact is that attending a school in a remote location does not hinder your career opportunities and internship placements.</p>
<p>Again, this is a completely different issue from personal preference. If you want urban, go urban. No argument, there. </p>
<p>Re safeties: In my opinion one is enough as long as you really want to go there. You may need to spend disproportionately more time researching and visiting safeties, but it's worth it if you are a worrier.</p>