<p>How many financial safeties should one apply to? I am planning on applying to mostly private colleges and currently have only one in-state public on my college list. Is one sufficient or should I have two or three in-state universities on my application list in case I do not get in to or get enough aid at other schools?
My GPA is a 3.8/4.2 (uw/w) and my ACT is a 30 (retaking in 2 weeks) and I am a CA resident. My financial safety school is San Diego State and my counselor told me that all of the schools I am planning on applying to, (Puget Sound, University of the Pacific, Pepperdine, Ithaca) are academic matches for me. Does anyone know how the MERIT aid is at those schools? Should I apply to another Cal State or will SDSU suffice?
(I am not planning on applying to any UCs, as they do not offer my major)</p>
<p>I would suggest applying to more than one financial safety school. This way, you would have a choice in the worst case scenario.</p>
<p>Look at it this way, if you have one school you are competely confident you will get in, you can afford it and you are willing to attend you only need one. If you are any uncertainly apply to more than one.</p>
<p>I second momof3. UMBC is my only financial safety. The only thing I have against it is that it’s near home (which is a pretty big strike, but I digress). Otherwise, I love it, and I’d be willing to attend UMBC if my other options don’t work out. I have another academic safety as well, but (go figure) I don’t like it nearly as much as UMBC.</p>
<p>Personally I’d recommend two or three. Since you live in CA you have a plethora of great affordable universities to apply to - why not apply to one or two CSU campuses and a UC?</p>