I have a college list

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I have a college list, and I need to refine it. That most definitely means taking some colleges out of the equation, and perhaps adding a few others that are better suited for me. I'll be relying heavily on financial aid.</p>

<p>Here's what I would like in a college:</p>

<p>An atmosphere where it's not hard to get involved
At least some other students with whom I can identify
A network that can get me a good job upon graduation
A reputable Study Abroad program
Diversity
All the other college brochure stuff (small classes, professors, etc.)</p>

<p>It should be evident that I'm open to almost anything. I recognize the differences between private and public schools, though I will not attend a public university outside my home state.</p>

<p>Some quick stats:</p>

<p>GPA - 4.0 UW, no weighting at my school
Class rank - 1/51 (tied with two others)
High school - non-competitive rural public
SAT - CR 720, M 680, W 710 (10 essay)
ACT - Comp 32 - E 33, M 31, R 36, S 28
ECs - Academic quiz, mock trial, piano, jazz band, part-time job
Awards - multiple school awards (perfect attendance, Spanish), several competition awards (Math, Accounting), science research awards</p>

<p>Here's my list:</p>

<p>Reaches:
Amherst
Brown
Washington University in St. Louis
Davidson College
University of Chicago
Johns Hopkins University</p>

<p>Matches:
Elon University
Case Western Reserve University
Denison University
Muhlenberg College
Franklin & Marshall College</p>

<p>Safeties:
Ohio State University
Miami University - Oxford
Ohio Wesleyan University</p>

<p>I think I'd like to add at least one safety, and narrow down the list from the top. I need either need-based financial aid or a near full-ride scholarship to attend.</p>

<p>I would appreciate help in refining my list. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>You don't need any more safeties. I think you'll get into every one of your match schools too. Eliminate a couple of them, and shoot for the stars!</p>

3

<p>Check out Bucknell & Colgate-- beautiful schools, great reputations, lots of fun, big study abroad programs & alumni connections galore...
U of Miami (FLA) has a reputation for generous financial aide.</p>

4

<p>Do a run through with PROFILE for some of your schools and see if they think you are eligible for need. Better now than later. A lot of kids I know were accepted to some great schools but did not get a dime in aid, as their definition of need did not match that of the family's or even FAFSA. This is particularly important if your parents are separated or divorced, as your EFC from FAFSA will be quite different from that of PROFILE.</p>

<p>Ohio State does not fit your definition in my opinion. Fine school, but one of the largest and not known for nurturing. Lots of big classes. I think you have enough safeties and matches. Especially if you apply early action/early in the season for rolling admissions. You'll have some schools in the bag and can then eliminate others.</p>

5

<p>American U is known for giving good aid.
And Tulane.</p>

6

<p>NJ, I actually had Bucknell on my list, but I missed it when I posted this. Colgate is just too far up north for me. I hate the cold, so if we can keep it as far away from the Arctic as possible, that would be cool.</p>

<p>Ohio State is on my list because it's there, and it's a good option if nothing else works out. My family would also like to see me at least apply there. It's not my ideal school, but I would go there if I had no other choice because of financial reasons.</p>

<p>I have used Amherst's calculator to estimate what they would give me in aid, and I think it would be possible with its formula. I would be paying about $10,000 per year, which is cheaper than Ohio State or Miami (excluding scholarships). I've also explained to my parents some ways to get rid of extra money laying in the bank, so I can get more aid that way. The problem is that we've lived in the same house for 20 years, and it will be paid off in just a few months.</p>

<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Are there any more I should definitely eliminate?</p>

7

<p>Lafeyette may be a better choice than Bucknell. B does not give merit money, nor does Colgate, but Lafeyette does.</p>

8

<p>You've got no problems with safeties. May want to cut out Davidson and Elon if diversity is really important.</p>

9

<p>I'll cut Elon. I like Davidson's no-loan policy, and it has better name recognition.</p>

10

<p>If you like Amherst, why not Wiliams? Its similar and beautiful. Good reach, not impossible.</p>

11

<p>I had considered Williams, but I decided I'd like to keep my schools a little more urban, since I come from a rural area now, and I'd like something new. I also think Amherst has a better financial aid policy, though I could be wrong on that.</p>

12

<p>bump (10 char)</p>

13

<p>Get rid of one safety school. Also, Elon and Muhlenberg seems more like a safety school to me. I think you have to raise your expectations a little bit.</p>

14

<p>I would find more match schools. I might replace Lafayette with Muhlenberg if you don't mind its religious affiliation.</p>

15

<p>JB both Amherst and Williams offer similar (and incredible) aid, though Amherst has probably been reaching out more to low-income people. I am low-income and ultimately chose between Williams and Amherst.</p>

16

<p>I agree with the UMiami suggestion. You would probably be eligible for some of their merit scholarships.</p>

17

<p>OK, now I have a bigger problem. I've added Princeton to my list, because I think I need to aim a little higher for financial aid purposes. But now I'm back at 15 schools, and I need to keep it around 8-10 for practicality. I need to trim it down by almost half. I'm also contemplating adding another safety LAC, preferably in Ohio, Indiana, or Pennsylvania.</p>

<p>First, does anyone have any LAC suggestions for me?</p>

<p>And last, how can I eliminate schools on my list that aren't a good fit, or that are just too much like others on my list? I know that I'm the one that has to make the final decision, but I really need some advice. I have yet to visit any colleges, but I'm still trying to convince my parents to go on a trip.</p>

18

<p>i would narrow down the list to something like this:
Princeton
Amherst
Brown
Washington University in St. Louis
Davidson College
Elon University
Denison University
Franklin & Marshall College
Ohio State University
Ohio Wesleyan University</p>

<p>dont tihnk you need anymore than two solid safeties and if you really think you want to add on another LAC match then take out one reach. if you love them all.. then just decide which one to take out depending on what you hear about the aid they offer</p>

19

<p>I'd like to eliminate more matches, since those probably won't give me the kind of financial aid I need.</p>

<p>I'll try this:</p>

<p>Princeton
Amherst
Brown
Washington University
Davidson
Bucknell
Case Western Reserve
Franklin & Marshall
OSU
Ohio Wesleyan</p>

<p>That leaves ten schools, and I think that's a more manageable number than fifteen. However, I'm definitely open to replacing Ohio Wesleyan, since I'm not really sold on the school. They have already awarded me a $10k renewable scholarship, but I don't know that I can use it, based on my major. I would prefer another LAC in Ohio/Indiana/Pennsylvania that is less costly, since a $10,000 scholarship doesn't make a huge dent in a $45,000 bill. OWU is just too expensive for a safety school.</p>

20

<p>Personally I wasn't at all impressed by OSU's aid, merit or need compared to other schools, although I was OOS, and I don't know what your tuiton would be like. That being said, I do like the school very much, and you're definitly an admit.</p>