@nw2this what a great opportunity! But it looks like th deadline has passed 
The chance to go as a junior has passed, but the application for rising seniors isn’t even open yet (look for it in late summer).
Several schools have these by the way:
http://blog.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/blog/2015-college-fly-in-programs/#sthash.oxxin7O3.cZkfkCX0.dpbs
@lavishdolphin Brown is a reach for everyone. If your swimming was in their range it would help perhaps.
But if you don’t mind doing the application work, nothing wrong with a reach or two as long as you have a good safety, which you do.
EA (early acceptance) is “generally” a school accepts you early, but does not require you attend (although most require you only apply to one “EA” or “ED” - although some allow you to also apply to EA state schools.
ED (early decision) is “generally” a school accepts you early, and you commit to go. You usually can only apply to one ED (although some allow you to apply to a state school as well.) If you are accepted you are supposed to pull all other applications. The one way out, usually, is if the financial aid package is unworkable.
That is great on the swimming front. If you are good enough to get interest at those schools, there are probably some other DIII’s that might like to have you.
You can never apply to 2 ED schools, but most ED schools will also allow you apply to an EA. However, some have restrictive or single-choice EA (REA/SCEA) which usually allow EA application to an in-state public. Some SCEA plans, like Georgetown, allow all EA applications but no ED applications.
What about UMich? Do I have a chance as an oos?
@lavishdolphin you are currently on the lower end of their stats, I would say. Probably have a chance. They have pretty low URM enrollment so I don’t know how much they would weight something like that.
I’d run the fin aid numbers for them, however, as you are unlikely to get any non-need-based aid as an OOS applicant. UMich is as expensive OOS state a many privates. Also, Ann Arbor is not urban if that matters to you.
@CaliDad2020 yeah I was just looking at there oos cost, and I’m not sure my family could afford it, unless I get merit aid, which I probably won’t. I think for now, my reaches are USC, UPenn, Williams, and Brown. I’m not sure about my ability to pay for them, but I should at least try! For matches probably UT, Pitt, and some others, not sure yet. I only have one safety, and that is TAMU.
With your parents, run the net price calculator on each school’s web site.
Remember, on top of your parents’ contribution of $35,000, you can only borrow $5,500 and realistically earn a few more thousand dollars beyond that. So an extreme stretch budget would be around $45,000, but you probably want to stay away from the edge, in case of unexpected financial issues later.
Would it be correct to assume that TAMU is preferable to you over all other Texas public universities that you have automatic admission to?
This!
@ucbalumnus yes TAMU is preferable, but I’d love to be in UT auto admit, as that is the school in Texas where I’d most like to go, (except for rice of course, but that isn’t gonna happen).
However, aren’t Brown and Williams really good with financial aid? That is assuming I can even get in of course
Run the NPC for EACH school. Don’t assume, don’t expect, don’t hope, don’t wonder: just run the NPCs.
@lavishdolphin Listen to @MYOS1634 even among similar schools you will sometimes find a surprising difference in how “full pay” and “need” are calculated. You just have to take the time. At least get good broadstrokes of the big numbers from your folks - or if they don’t want to share, ask them to please take a few minutes and run a couple of schools. You will soon get an idea where you fall.
That last thing you want to do is get accepted to an exciting school you’ve fallen in love with and find you either can’t go or have to get yourself into untenable debt to attend. There are lots of great schools out there for any kid with your stats. Find a few that fit your budget. Potentially save yourself some heartache later.
Which is not to say you shouldn’t try one or two where you might need merit aid on top of fin aid - but in a perfect world those should probably be schools that either want you for your swimming or where your stats are 75% or above or where you are ok walking away if the money doesn’t make sense.
Yes those schools have good FA. But they are just as hard or harder to get into than Rice.
@“Erin’s Dad” oh darn, may need to lower my expectations then. Oh well, I’m still pretty happy with my matches! Now to run the NPC…
I got my sat score back, it’s only a 1300. Should I hold it back?
What’s the percentile?
Haha bad, like 91st percentile. My act is 97 I think
I may retake the sat, I was sick the day I took it. I’m still a little upset about it though
Stick with the ACT, you don’t need both.