<p>HelloImChelsea, I just want to point out that you should research a bit more about the career you want. Are you looking to work for the gov? You can major in Political science, history, etc, and get jobs with CIA, etc, and then do grad work in Middle Eastern studies, IR, etc, so you may have more options to get where you ultimately want to be.</p>
<p>Your parents are basically correct.</p>
<p>Tell your parents that they might as well sit back and see if you can get any good financial aid offers.</p>
<p>You have nothing to lose, other than the application fees.</p>
<p>But there is nothing unique in your situation. Just about every middle class kid would rather attend a private college.</p>
<p>But you must face economic realities.</p>
<p>*Mom2collegekids: I haven’t taken the SAT. I’m almost certain I got a 27 or a 28 on the ACT. I’ll find out next week.
*</p>
<p>Yes, I don’t know why I wrote SAT. I know that you took the ACT and you said that you hope to get a 27 on it. Even if you do get a 28, Scripps is still a reach for you. An ACT 28 is in the LOWER quartile for Scripps. That’s a problem.</p>
<p>You have nothing to lose, other than the application fees.</p>
<p>Well, that’s just it. SHE’S having to pay for these app costs…which when you add app fee, sending test score fee, CSS fee, each school can cost $100 to apply. That’s a lot for a student who is applying to 6 or so schools. Coming up with $600+ can be hard for a student.</p>
<p>She needs to fine-tune her list once she has her new scores and include schools that will work along with maybe a couple of reaches.</p>
<p>Your mom is absolutely within her rights to limit what she will contribute to your education. But when you say she doesn’t want you to take on any debt, that is intruding on a decision that should be yours. She can (and should) advise you - but you should be the one who makes the call.</p>
<p>I agree that Chelsea should be able to make the decision about Stafford direct loans, but it sounds like she’d need private loans to cover gaps or unpaid EFC (her parents will only pay 2500/yr). If that’s the case, then the parents have the right to say “no” about private loans since THEY would have to co-sign.</p>
<p>I agree - the parent has the right to limit their financial contribution, including liability for loan repayment.</p>
<p>“Mizzou has international studies, by the way.”</p>
<p>If that’s true, then between Mizzou and Missouri State, Chelsea should have some affordable options.</p>
<p>The parents limited contribution of $2500 can’t be ignored. That’s the limit the parents have set, and that will affect where she can go to college since the family contribution (parent and student) will be higher than that at most schools. If FA includes loans already, then Chelsea won’t be able to borrow to cover unpaid EFC.</p>
<p>UARK does not have good financial aid for OOS students…or in state students for that matter.</p>
<p>I’m a rising senior going to High school in Arkansas…
Arkansas schools are notorious for waiving OOS costs with act scores as little as, say, 21-25 depending on the school, though U ark does not do this.</p>
<p>Have you considered: Arkansas State University
Arkansas tech university
U Ark- little rock
U Ark- Monticello
Southern Arkansas University
These schools all offer great merit aid for reasonably high ACT scores (26+) and I believe most of them have OOS waivers. Also, you may want to consider southeastern Missouri state…as their merit aid seems to be the best among Missouri’s state colleges.</p>
<p>Is this the in-state situation: live at home for MS, get the tuition discount. But couldn’t commute to Mizzou, so add in room/board? And not much aid? </p>
<p>When you don’t want the local option, I think generic advice is find a school where they’ll view you and your stats as highly desirable and throw money at you.</p>
<p>My college list is: Scripps, Pitzer, Mount Holyoke, Grinnell (my mom actually suggested it), Middlebury (I know that it’s definitely a reach), Missouri Southern (my mom’s dream school for me), Truman State, Missouri State, Mizzou, Colby, Occidental, Macalester, and Bryn Mawr. </p>
<p>Is this list too reach heavy?</p>
<p>Oh, Mizzou does have Arabic! It was in its Russian Studies department…</p>
<p>Thumper1: My guidance counselor doesn’t use it. I’ll look it up.</p>
<p>Lookingforward: I think the only thing my mom doesn’t think I’m being realistic about is the cost. She told me to apply, see where I get in and see how much aid I receive. </p>
<p>I know that my ACT score is going to hurt me, but will I get rejected based on that alone?</p>
<p>Teachandmom: I’m hoping to attend law school. I know that everyone is going to tell me to go to Mizzou now because it’s cheaper and I won’t be so much in debt. I would like become either an international or a human rights lawyer. If I can’t afford to go to law school or I change my mind, I’d like to do something with international banking.</p>
<p>I’m hoping to double major in economics and international relations. Middlebury’s program is perfect, but I’m not expecting to be accepted.</p>
<p>This will be frank. I’m not one for applying to 13 colleges. Some are. It’s only IMO, but I think I make an exception when a kid is stellar, has significant experience in the intended major, tippy top scores, grades and rigor-- ie, is in a position where he or she needs to maximize chances of getting into a near perfect program. Just my own opinion, which has evolved over the last two years. For most kids, the best is where you can thrive and succeed- not where the opportunity is the greatest, not the biggest name, but, sometimes, where you can be that big fish in a little pond. Where you, as an individual, will be empowered, in many ways.</p>
<p>You’ve now got 9 oos there. Colby: median ACT composite: 31, BM: median 30, Oxy, Grinnell and Mac: 28-32. Remember, if the median is 30, it means half the class is kids who did better. If the mid 50% is 28-32, it means roughly 3/4 of the enrollees did better than 28. Look this up for all, check admit rates, see which are test optional. Think about not diluting your efforts. </p>
<p>The ACT score alone won’t keep you out. But, the median stats a school reports reflect the level of kids submitting scores. From the brief look I made, your oos look like reaches. It’s not all about stats, sure. But, try to take a hard look at how these colleges present themselves, the self image that sometimes can be gleaned between the lines (away from the fancy marketing phrases.) See where you might be viewed as a catch, because of your involvements, accomplishments, the challenges you took on, etc. Just see if you can focus on which are your best shots, for the person you are, not just the way they structure your major.</p>
<p>^great advice</p>
<p>Bryn Mawr is a test optional institution [SAT/ACT</a> Optional 4-Year Universities | FairTest](<a href=“http://fairtest.org/university/optional/state]SAT/ACT”>http://fairtest.org/university/optional/state) and does not require the ACT or SAT general exam, provided SAT Subject, AP, and/or IB exam scores are submitted. HelloImChelsea should take a look at the exam policies of the rest of her list. Her profile may be good enough to make applying to test optional colleges and universities without reporting her ACT or SAT general exam scores a viable choice.</p>
<p>There are a number of top Women’s Colleges on her list as well. I’d suggest taking a long hard look at the next tier down for solid academics and a better chance at merit-based aid. Here is the full list: [The</a> Women’s College Coalition](<a href=“http://womenscolleges.org/]The”>http://womenscolleges.org/)</p>
<p>Clarifying Bryn Mawr testing policy:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I decided to take Colby and Grinnell off my list. I decided that they don’t have what I’m looking for. The scores are also a concern. </p>
<p>I know that Mount Holyoke and Pitzer are test-optional. They both will probably still be difficult to get into. </p>
<p>My mom said that 4-H isn’t a unique extracurricular, but it isn’t too common, is it? I’ve received several state awards and I’m now the VP of my club. </p>
<p>happymomof1: I don’t think my school offers enough AP classes for me to submit my AP scores instead of my ACT scores. I’ve only taken APUSH, but next year I’m taking AP Bio, AP Psychology and AP English.</p>
<p>Maybe I could send my scores from AP English, AP Psychology and APUSH. They wouldn’t receive my results until after my senior year, so that probably wouldn’t work.</p>