<p>I've been having a hard time this year deciding on schools I want to go to next year. My mom has been unemployed for 3 years (cant find a job in this crap economy) and my dad works at FedEx. I know they cant afford any student loans and I do not want to be left with 100k in debt by the time I graduate. Community college looks the best for me now, but my guidance councelors tell me I can do better. In New Jersey we have the Stars program which would allow me to go to my local community college for 2 years for free and transfer to a state school with a 7k scholarship. I am trying to be as sensible as I can be, and I do not want to move out to california either. Looking for east coast schools.</p>
<p>I think I am a well rounded student, not the straight A student, but well rounded.
My SAT scores were horrible, ACT I got a 21 and an 8 on the essay. Im President of the Social Justice Committee, Head lighting designer, went to Girls State, did an internship with a state senator, went to League of Women Voters, National Honors Society, and many other clubs / volunteer work.</p>
<p>This year I do not have the best grades but I am taking AP's as well to try and challenge myself ( trust me, its working.. haha) I get A's B's and C's (AP Bio + Pre Calc) and im looking for a school with atleast a Ski club / ski team of that sort as I definately want to do that in college. Ive applied to Rutgers (denied because I applied to arts+sciences /business not undeclared..) Monmouth (defferred to regular), Muhlenberg in PA, Gettysburg in PA, York, and Siena in NY. When I went to visit Muhlenberg I thought it was a nice college, but when I went down the road and saw Lehigh it was like a dream yet I know I couldnt get in this year even if I tried considering the deadline passed and its a nationally ranked school.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions about any other good schools (that would accept me but not an easy school either) that I could apply for at this point? Brookdale (community college) is unfortunately looking like the best option for me for my first year atleast.. Any help would be gladly appreciated.</p>
<p>Make an appointment with your guidance counselor as soon as possible and tell him/her that you’d like to spend some time with his/her help, researching further collegiate possibilities. It troubles me that a guidance counselor would suggest that “you can do better” and yet he/she doesn’t help you further research other possibilities (particularly at this stage of the game).</p>
<p>Meet with your gc soon. Prior to your next meeting, use some of the college search engines to narrow down other possibilities based on location/GPA/ACT & SAT test scores, ski team…etc, PRIOR to your appointment. </p>
<p>Since your counselor feels that there are other collegiate choices you should consider, meet with your counselor soon and explore options from schools with rolling admissions.</p>
<p>Lauren, you sound very mature and level headed about your family’s finances. If you have the option of attending Brookdale FOR FREE and then transferring to a New Jersey state school (Rutgers?) with a $7K scholarship. I know every high school senior longs for that “going away college experience,” but ten years from now, how much will that matter, especially when you consider your debt load with the Stars program? Also, a 21 ACT is not going to give you (1) a lot of options this late in the game, or (2) a lot of merit money.</p>
<p>And I agree with LilMamma - your GC doesn’t seem to be doing her job.</p>
<p>Guidance counselors are expected to say things like “I think you can do better than that.” because part of their job is to help students get into the best possible colleges and universities. However they don’t know about your family’s financial situation, so they often don’t take that into consideration. When you meet with your counselor, be absolutely straight about the money situation. Once I spoke with Happykid’s counselor about our financial limitations, he got right on board. </p>
<p>You can help yourself by submitting your FAFSA now. [Home</a> - FAFSA on the Web-Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/]Home”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) That way you will have a better idea of what the colleges will expect your family to pay. If your FAFSA EFC is unaffordable, make sure that your counselor knows.</p>
<p>Happykid is at our local community college on a full tuition and fees scholarship. She is deliriously happy there! She is earning good grades, and is looking forward to transferring in two years. If you can complete your AA or AS for free at your community college, that won’t be the worst way to go. Many good colleges and universities look to admit top students each year from the community colleges. It may be possible for you to transfer to your “dream school”.</p>
<p>For ideas about transferring, visit the Transfer Forum, and read through the thread titled “Transfer Admissions 101” that is at the top of that forum.</p>
<p>I agree with all the others. There’s nothing wrong with community college, free is good, you know what is best for you, and your guidance counselor’s advice is only advice. The CC sounds like a perfect opportunity. Good luck!</p>
<p>I have met with my GC many times, she knows of the situation at hand but at this point basically shoved a list of possible schools in my hand and basically said here you go, have fun… I did the FASFA and am waiting for the expected contribution part - most likely by april. I know Brookdale is a good school, not thirteenth grade, but I dont know, I just want to be accepted somewhere… not held back because of SAT’s…</p>
<p>There are other NJ public colleges to consider which are still accepting applications, such as Rowan (until 3/1), and Richard Stockton (until 5/1). I’ve especially heard good things about Rowan.</p>
<p>Don’t know if either school has a ski team.</p>