<p>I'm an outgoing junior and have no idea where I want to go to college or even how to start narrowing down my choices. If anyone could point me in any direction, that would be great.</p>
<p>Here are my stats: </p>
<p>Intended Major: science (not sure specifically what though)</p>
<p>SAT - 2320
ACT - 35</p>
<p>GPA: 98.5</p>
<p>Rank- currently 2, possibly first for next year</p>
<p>EC-
Research
NHS
History Club
Scio - President
General tutor through NHS; Writing Tutor through Writing Center
Community Service at my local fire department
Art (possibly sending in portfolio as a part of the common app)</p>
<p>Awards- mostly from research
3rd at regional lisef, special award from APA, Robert Nesler Award, National Spanish Exam Gold, etc. </p>
<p>I really have no idea what my aims should be. I kind of have my reaches and safeties figured out, but i really need help in finding good match colleges. One of the more important factors for me is the ability to continue research in college. </p>
<p>THanks for any help, I really appreciate it</p>
<p>Well this is broad…here are some things to consider, can you tell us more about what you want in a college( Greek life ,region, tuition, population, etc.)</p>
<p>First, you need to have the “money talk” with your parents. You need to find out how much they’ll spend each year on college.</p>
<p>Have them use the net price calculators on various schools’ websites (don’t just rely on the ones on the HYPS websites because those schools give “super aid” and will mislead you about other schools. </p>
<p>Once you know your financial situation, you can proceed with a better plan. </p>
<p>If your parents will pay the costs for any school, then you’ll be in a great situation.</p>
<p>If your parents can’t pay the amounts that schools would expect them to pay, then you’ll need to find schools that will give you HUGE merit awards for your stats so that you and your family can cover the remaining costs. </p>
<p>If you have a non-custodial parent, then you’ll need to talk to that person as welll because the schools that give the best aid will use that person’s financial info as well.</p>
<p>*I really have no idea what my aims should be. I kind of have my reaches and safeties figured out, but i really need help in finding good match colleges. </p>
<p>One of the more important factors for me is the ability to continue research in college. *</p>
<p>What are your reaches and safeties (and are you 100% sure that you have all costs covered at your safeties? If not, then those aren’t safeties).</p>
<p>What kind of research? </p>
<p>What kind of career are you seeking? Any idea of your major?</p>
<p>Middle son (with similar stats) is enjoying the University of Rochester, so that’s one to consider if not already on your list.</p>
<p>You’d probably also get really nice merit aid at U Pitt, but whether that one is worth it or not would depend upon what type of science and how much you wanted merit aid. My guy was looking neuro/brain/pre-med and U Pitt is very well respected for that (as is URoc).</p>
<p>If preferring southern, consider Emory.</p>
<p>If looking BME, Case Western could be a match/safety. They also give merit aid.</p>
<p>If you like the Greek scene, Vandy, but with their lower acceptance rate, they probably are still a reach.</p>
<p>^^^ On other threads the OP mentioned the likelihood of needing significant merit aid - hence - my suggestions - good schools known for the potential for really good merit aid -up to full rides at some of those schools, but competitive for those full rides. Those stats should make the OP a great candidate for them.</p>
<p>Click on the OP’s name, then click on find other posts. Look back in March or so… it seems that the consideration is between a good school and community college (I only did a quick look - I didn’t read whole threads). I saw where they said their folks made too much for significant need-based aid, but too little for much of a contribution - likely not up to their EFC. This means one would need merit aid in significant amounts.</p>
<p>My GUESS from the first post in this thread is that they are trying some of the reach schools too and will see how the finances play out, but everyone needs matches/safeties and there are better ones out there for those stats than CC IMO.</p>
<p>I saw where they said their folks made too much for significant need-based aid, but too little for much of a contribution - likely not up to their EFC. This means one would need merit aid in significant amounts.</p>
<p>Yes, that’s what that means. when a person has an unaffordable EFC then there are few options:</p>
<p>1) commute to a CC or local state school to get costs well below EFC</p>
<p>2) get accepted to schools that give HUGE merit so that remaining costs are affordable. </p>
<p>3) get accepted to a HYPS school that gives Super Aid so that family contribution is about 10% (assuming parents don’t earn $180k+)</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon is a good suggestion. It’s right next to Pitt. With the OP’s stats, they could be quite competitive, but I would also still toss an app in at Pitt unless they are opposed to going urban.</p>
<p>I’ve yet to hear anything “VERY BAD” about Case Western. Kids from our area (my school and neighboring schools) who tend to go there are generally pre-med and/or BME. Last I knew they were ranked quite high for BME.</p>
<p>They are an urban campus, so their type/location in/within Cleveland turns some off and they don’t apply after a visit. However, those who go there come back with reports of how they love it and they seem to be doing typical “great college” things. It’s a fit thing.</p>
<p>If considering Case (or Drexel, or GWU - all similar in how some kids like them and some despise them due to fit), definitely visit. As a college itself, I’ve only heard positive things. They can also be decent with merit aid for high stats.</p>
<p>The common complaint that I hear about CW is the area and gloomy weather.</p>
<p>We need to know how much the parents will pay. Since merit goes towards “need” first, this student may need HUGE merit. If so, then a $15k or 20k award that leaves $30k+ to pay may not work for him.</p>
<p>As for the question of how much my parents will pay, I honestly have no idea. Whenever they ask me where I am think about applying, I always tell them that I need a range of what they are willing to pay to really start narrowing my choices. My parents have always been extremely secretive about money (I dont know why) but they never give me a straight answer, or any answer at all, which makes it very hard to plan out where I may be going. </p>
<p>From what I understand, my parent make around 200,000, but we live in one of the most expensive areas of the country so this isn’t as much as you may think. </p>
<p>and i know this is a hard question to answer, and the stats I put up are very general, but with the given information do you guys think I stand a chance at HYPS etc?
Also, do colleges consider the education of you parents when you apply (ie; will the fact that neither of my parents have college degrees help in anyway?)</p>
<p>Cleveland weather is no more gloomy than Pittsburgh and Rochester. The area around Case Western Reserve is better than it was 30 years ago when I attended, and it wasn’t that bad then. From the alumni magazines I get, a lot of cool new things are going on there. New buildings and opportunities for research. However, it didn’t interest any of my kids.</p>
<p>Given that, include some schools from the lists in #12 for which you qualify (preferably including at least one automatic one as a safety), because it is likely that your parents’ AFC will be significantly less than their EFC.</p>
<p>Depending on your state of residency, there may be additional big merit opportunities at your state’s public universities. For example, NJ residents have reported full ride offers from Rutgers to top students.</p>
<p>Yes, you have a chance to get in, but affording them could be problematic. I’d apply to those you like (NOT ED) and see what happens. I WOULD NOT encourage your parents to take out oodles of loans for them. Studies have shown that kids strong enough to get in do just as well “success-wise” choosing other more affordable schools. You could be quite competitive for significant aid at many good schools (not just Podunk U). We had a student get into Stanford this past year (the lowest acceptance rate of any school for that year). She turned them down for a choice of full rides (Vanderbilt, U Miami, Wake Forest, Pitt, U Alabama, Northeastern and probably more I’m not thinking of - she’s going to Wake Forest).</p>
<p>Find good research schools that offer chances at decent merit aid - the above list and U Rochester, Carnegie Mellon, WUSTL, etc (there are more), and apply to them too. Cast a wide net. Pitt and/or U Alabama could likely be your financial safeties as they are rolling admissions + rolling merit aid. You might not “win” a free ride at all of these places, but if you do at some, those are your best bet for a great education AND affordable to all.</p>
<p>And yes, being a first generation college student can help you with admissions. ;)</p>
<p>Also, if you get invited to free ride competitions, many times the schools pay to fly you to them, so you don’t need to worry about the cost involved for that aspect.</p>
<p>You do NOT need to apply to all potential free ride schools. Check out their websites specifically looking within departments at research they are doing to see what appeals to you. Look at descriptions of the colleges in Fiske Guide to get a feel for fit. If some are close enough to you (or if your folks are willing to do a vacation), visit a few to get a feel. Choose those you like - and keep a safety or two that you also like.</p>