<p>First of all, will she need financial aid to go to any of the colleges? It’s wise to figure out what you can pay and run your numbers through a FAFSA estimator and see what the government has for your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Given your post, it is doubtful that you will qualify for PELL grants.</p>
<p>The usual indicators for getting into colleges are the test scores, grades and the high school. Ask the GC if they subscribe to Naviance. That allows you to see where kids from your D’s school are getting into college with certain test scores and grades. That the val did not get into Kenyon with the stats s/he has does not bode well in terms of an anecdotal example, but you need to see more cases to make any statistical inference. Many times, selective schools are harder on those kids in their locale in terms of admissions than those who will give the school more of a national presence. Also look for the lists of where the kids in previous years have been going to college, and take a good hard read of your school profile that will automatically go with your D’s transcript to all of the colleges. It’ll give you a good idea where she stands academically among her peers.</p>
<p>The dance/cheerleading is a great extra curricular activity for her. It will certainly enhance her application. But there is a big difference between what is called a “tip” and a “hook”. If she were going to major in dance, go out for a cheerleading squad at a school that puts heavy emphasis on those things, it could have a mjajor impact on her admissions. Basically, if the talent, skill, activity can do something for the college, that’s when it counts the most. It’s great that a kid, for instance, is an active college athlete, on the football, basketball, track teams an wins school, district, state recognition in so doing. Makes for good ECs on the application, but no where the impact that a recruited athlete that is going to play the NCAA sport at the college. The impact is even greater if the school has a big emphasis on that sport and if the student is going to be a top prospect on team. Yes, colleges are looking for active students to make the college community vibrant, but the ones who get the favored admissions treatement, and sometimes even scholarship money, are the ones who are going to continue to compete or be in the official school team or groups in that discipline. You indicate that your D is not going to continue at that level.</p>
<p>You are lucky to be in a state that offers so many great schools. I always envy Ohioans for all of their great choices both in public and private colleges. </p>
<p>My advice is to start with the schools that are likely to accept your D and are affordable. Then start adding some chancier schools, hoping for merit, financial aid if eligible. Look at some of the Catholic schools like Marquette, John Carroll , DePauw, Marist. For international business there is American, GW, Catholic, Pitt, yes, Dickinson. Throw in some selective schools to see how it flies. Once the base is covered, you can apply away to any school with abandon.</p>