<p>I see we have threads for the 3.0-3.3 and threads for the upper levels but few for us just stuck in the middle. I have a 3.55 unweighted GPA, not sure what it would be weighted. I have 1 c and 1 D. I'm not proud of them, they're from my sophomore year and I wish I could go back and work harder.</p>
<p>But I can't.</p>
<p>There are a lot of schools I think I could conceivably get into, but with a 0 EFC, I just don't think many of them are going to be available. What are my options?</p>
<ol>
<li>Wrong forum</li>
<li>That’s a very vague question. Since finances are a problem maybe you should tell us what state you are in. </li>
<li>Test scores / Extra curriculars ?</li>
<li>how much money will you parents pay ? </li>
<li>what grade are you in ?</li>
</ol>
<p>Is your official EFC calculated at zero (ie have you done the EFC calculators and they came out to zero) or have your parents said they cannot/will not contribute anything? There’s a difference, as many schools are generous with need based aid to students from low-income households. If you’re from a middle-income family however that just can’t or won’t contribute but who would have some kind of EFC as calculated by the college, your options are more limited. </p>
<p>And yes, you should give some more information. What kind of schools are you interested in? Big/small/rural/urban, in what state or geographic area? What are you thinking you’ll study? What’s on your wish list for a dream school?</p>
<p>If you have a 0 EFC according to the calculators, then you should look at need-blind schools. They give the most aid. But they are quite competitive usually. However if your EFC is 0 then you have low income and are likely in rangegpa-wise. That D is a problem though. It isn’t just GPA, it is your program of study, it is SAT I and II’s, and reccomendation letters and EC’s or job whatever you have. Are you URM?</p>
<p>A lot will depend upon how rigorous your schedule has been, and how your SAT/ACT scores are.</p>
<p>With an interest in PoliSci, American U and GW in DC come to mind.</p>
<p>This thread may also be helpful.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/767486-where-did-your-3-3-3-6-gpa-child-get.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/767486-where-did-your-3-3-3-6-gpa-child-get.html</a></p>
<p>then you should look at need-blind schools. They give the most aid.</p>
<p>That isn’t true. Most (if not all) public schools are “need-blind” and they typically can’t meet need. People often confuse “need blind” with schools that give a lot of aid, because top schools are able to do that. However, many schools are need blind and can’t come close to meeting the needs of most students.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the types of schools that are “need blind” **AND **meet need with little or no loans are typically the top schools which it doesn’t sound that this student would qualify.</p>
<p>With modest stats, probably the best schools to look at are your state’s schools, unless your SAT/ACT scores are high enough to warrant some mid-tier/3rd tier privates to make an attractive aid package to you.</p>
<p>What state are you in?</p>
<p>I’m in Virginia (not NoVa). Am I competitive at UVA?</p>
<p>The calculators have my EFC at 0 (my mom makes about 20k per year and my dad is unemployed). </p>
<p>My dream school is University of Rochester. I love everything about it, but I doubt I’ll be able to get in. They meet 100% of need though so I’ll give it a shot.</p>
<p>I’m on the debate team, editor-in-chief of the school paper and volunteer extensively with a political party. I have to babysit my sister for several hours most days after school so what I can do is limited.</p>
<p>I got a 205 on my PSAT. 75 Writing, 71 CR and 59 math. I’ll take the SAT in May. At the end of this year, I will have taken 4 APs total. 3 this year and 1 last year. I got a 5 on the one last year (AP Euro). The D came in a math class.</p>
<p>Take the ACT also; you might do better with that. Get waivers for your tests and applications.</p>
<p>Can you get a part-time job to earn some money? I know that you said that you have to watch your sister for a few hours after school, but if your dad is unemployed, can’t do that?</p>
<p>Since your EFC is 0 (but may end up higher once your dad gets rehired), your best bets will be UVa and other VA publics that meet need, and privates that meet need (with little or no loans). It’s not enough that a school says it will meet need, you’ll need schools that will meet need without big loans and without Parent Plus loans.</p>
<p>BTW…May may not be a good time to take the SAT. The May test is often given during the 2 weeks of AP exams. You probably won’t want to have to give up a Saturday then for a SAT test.</p>
<p>Sorry I didn’t clarify about the dad thing. My parents are divorced. I mentioned him because the CSS profile will take him into account.</p>
<p>University of Rochester should be a match for you. If your school has Naviance you can check on there. </p>
<p>Your PSAT score of 205 is pretty good.</p>
<p>For in-state, William and Mary is a good prospect. I don’t know how their financial aid is, but it has a very good reputation. With high enough SAT or ACT, you might even get into UVA. If you can score 205 on the PSAT, you should be able to get some very high test scores, and that plus your EC’s might trigger some excellent merit aid at some schools outside the top 20. </p>
<p>My D was being recruited by Washington Univ. St. Louis last summer/fall; they flew her out for one of their recruitment weekends and she loved the place. She’s a poli sci type also. Her grades were slightly above yours, and she had the same PSAT, but a very high ACT score. If you start getting mail from WUSTL, be sure to open it and return their postcard about your interest in scholarships. (They send these out based on what they receive from the testing agencies, so you must check the box on the test that allows your info to be sold to colleges.)</p>
<p>She also like Washington and Lee for poli sci, and they have the Johnson Scholarship program. Worth looking into.</p>
<p>Have you looked into Questbridge? If not, go see your guidance counselor and see if you qualify. If so, it would be very worth while for you to go through the hoops to participate. </p>
<p>I know nothing about Virginia, but check with your guidance counselor to see if it has any special programs to encourage college attendance among low-income students. In NY, we have HEOP–Higher Educational Opportunity Program. Students who qualify for it have a much better chance of getting into private colleges in NY State than they do if they don’t participate. They also get some extra help while in college.</p>
<p>U of Rochester should not be out of the question. They like you to show the love and you MUST interview. (I can’t tell you how strongly they emphasized this when they came and talked at our school.) You should definitely look at American, GW will probably be a reachy match, but worth checking out. You might look at Syracuse as well - it’s bigger than Rochester of course, but a good option for a B student.</p>
<p>Thank you guys! Mathmom, I know Rochester places A LOT of emphasis on the interview (someone who interviewed there said their interviewer told her that 75% of those who interview get in…idk how true that is). I can’t really afford to fly up to Rochester and visit but a trip to D.C. to interview with an alumnus is in the realm of possibility (it’s about 2 hours from here).</p>
<p>jonri, I have looked at Questbridge, but my impression is that they generally take students with much higher stats than mine.</p>
<p>Have either of your parents gone to college, or will you be 1st generation to go to college?</p>
<p>There are likely to be more schools interested in you than you think. You have good SAT scores - especially if you’re willing to consider some liberal arts schools. Some are not bothered by “lopsided” test scores. (Some don’t even require test scores…but…yours are more than respectable.)</p>
<p>What is it about Univ of Rochester that appeals to you? Your answer might help us suggest some other schools.</p>
<p>Have you had a serious discussion with your parents about you going far from home? Is there a plan in place for childcare for your siblings if you were to move to Rochester? You may want to begin this discussion now… to get your mom prepared for you being not just out of the house all day taking classes, but “out of the nest” at college.</p>
<p>Your gender? If female, will you consider women’s only colleges?</p>
<p>I’m a guy and my mom knows and expects I’ll be out of the house.</p>
<p>Neither of my parents even finished high school so I will be first generation.</p>
<p>I LOVE the open curriculum at Rochester and schools that have that are few and far between. I love the city, from everything I’ve read it’s filled with amazing music, art and culture. It’s the perfect size (~5000) which is what I’m looking for. It has big school amenities while retaining a great student:teacher ratio (their website says 9:1).</p>
<p>CIA, you might like Vassar. It’s big for an LAC and being a guy is an advantage.</p>
<p>As first generation, you really should look further into Questbridge. There are other resources out there for first generation, low income students, to help them with the college search and selection process. I hope some others on this site will be able to refer you to those resources.</p>
<p>Your stats will be looked at in a different light by most schools since you are first generation. Rochester should, at the very least, be a match for you. You should consider some reaches. You might want to consider Brown. Another open curriculum school, in an interesting city.</p>
<p>Some of the Schools that Change Lives are open curriculum, are in cities, and would be a match for you, although they might be a little smaller than you’d like. Look for ones that fill 100% of need.</p>
<p>I will look more into Questbridge.</p>
<p>That being said, Brown is way out of my league stats-wise, no?</p>