<p>I have a problem I think. Well maybe I am just too high strung, but I have always dreamed of attending MIT or 2nd choice, Princeton. Now that college apps are coming around the corner and I may not get accepted to these impossible schools, its time to get a safety and I have no clue which school(s) to pick. I've spent all this time dreaming of Ivies and now I have been awoken by cold hard reality. Sorry, I'm feeling slightly poetic this morning. Anyway I have straight A's, 7 or 8 APs, and will have somewhere between 30-36 ACT score and for SAT math and chemistry, between 750-800. I have stong ECs including NHS, Swimming, Floor Hockey, Girl Scouts, Volunteer work, and music, among other things, but those are the main ones. I love science and I am thinking about going into engineering or astrophysics, so I would like to go to a school that is pretty good for these. Again, MIT and Princeton are like science Gods, but I have to be realistic. Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>What do you want to do? Engineering, Economics, Business, Neurobiology, Biological engineering, Computer Sciences…? Narrow down your focus to what you want out of a college, and then it should be easier for people to help you :)</p>
<p>I did say that I am interested in engineering and astrophysics. I did do a lot of writing though so I can see how it may have been overlooked.</p>
<p>What state do you live in? Is cost an issue?</p>
<p>I live in Michigan. Cost isn’t really an issue. My family is pretty broke, but hopefully with finaid and scholarships we’ll be fine. And if that doesn’t work we can find a way.</p>
<p>For a student with top grades and scores, you have reach schools and safeties. The top ten or fifteen schools in the country (of course that includes your choices) are reaches for everyone because you never know what they are looking for. </p>
<p>For families that make under a certain amount, the very top schools have very good financial aid. You might look around at the threads that are stickied at the top of the financial aid page (best merit money, etc.) and choose some schools from those lists. There are lots of schools that offer lots of money to kids who have great statistics. Good luck.</p>
<p>I know this isn’t a safety for everyone, but considering your top choices, UMich would be a great science school to look at.</p>
<p>
This is going about your search backwards. For you cost is a BIG issue. You need to look for schools that will meet your need with FA, OR schools that offer merit aid where you will be in the top 25% and competitive for their scholarships. Fortunately your grades and scores indicate you may be there for many schools. Since you don’t have an ACT or SAT yet, what grade are you in? Have you taken the PSAT? Any chance you will be a Nat’l Merit Finalist? There are many scholarships at excellent schools for NMFs.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html</a></p>
<p>Alabama in particular is a favorite; they really roll out the red carpet for top students. Also try RPI (Rensslaer), WPI (Worcester), Case Western, though getting enough merit at these is shakier.</p>
<p>I am in 11th grade. I have not received my scores yet for either the ACT or the SAT II math and chemistry, but I know I did well on them, I do very well on standardized tests and math and science are very easy for me. I did not register for the PSAT when my school offered it, but I will take it soon. As for being a finalist, I am not sure, but as I said, standardized tests are a strong point. Because apparently I have great stats, I can get easy scholarship money. I guess I’m saying that cost does not effect my search a lot because I’d really like to go to Princeton or MIT, both schools have fantastic financial aid. Princeton will cover all of the expenses and MIT will cover at least a great portion…This all depends on acceptance however. I’m really just looking for another school or two to send my scores to, that I have a good chance of getting into if I don’t get into MIT or Princeton.</p>
<p>If you are a Junior who will be taking the PSAT soon, please clue us in as to how that will happen.</p>
<p>Erin’s Dad is right. In your situation of need, you may be deeply disappointed if you do not apply to schools where merit aid is likely.</p>
<p>Michigan for sure. Tuition will be relatively manageable and you have a strong chance of getting in if you live there.</p>
<p>I wasn’t aware that taking the PSAT as a 11th grader is not possible. I have not tried to register for it because I actually only decided today that it was even worth taking. I may have given the wrong impression of my family’s financial status. We are not just getting by. I mean my parents can pay for my college as long as I get some financial aid. My mom is in school now and had to go part time so we have less money than we are used to. I live in Michigan and the economy sucks. I digress. I know that I have relatively good chance of getting into any school, my dream schools however are a reach for anyone. The money really is not going to be a deciding factor in my education. I will take out loans upon loans if I have to. Another reason money isn’t an issue is that I could go to MSU with instate tuition and my dad works there so I get half off. If the money was the deciding factor, I would go there. I need a school that is prestigious in engineering and/or physics that would be considered a safety school for me. Money should not be a problem when I graudate from a great school and get a great job. </p>
<p>U of M is a school I would consider, so thanks for the suggestion!</p>
<p>A year ago, my top two schools were, like you, MIT and Princeton. I was deferred and then rejected by MIT, but I was accepted to and will be attending Princeton for engineering.</p>
<p>While looking at schools, the safety that appealed most to me was U of Michigan. Had I not been accepted to Princeton, I probably would have gone there even over UPenn, Brown, and Cornell. So, I would say that if you are engineering focused, and a really good student, definitely apply to Michigan as early as possible.</p>
<p>I got in really early to Michigan so it allowed me to focus on the top schools applications, knowing I had a great fallback.</p>
<p>Here what Erinsdad said, many safety schools won’t give you much aid. You need to look realistically at money when choosing schools. Also, a safety school for a 30 and a 36 are wolds apart so I’d decide on schools when you get the score report.</p>
<p>In order to be considered for National Merit you need to take the PSAT in (approx) October of your Junior year. If you missed that then you missed your chance at those scholarships. Look at the link Haavain provided. Those have scholarships based on grades and scores.</p>
<p>“Girl Scouts”</p>
<p>Take a look at the women’s colleges. Smith offers engineering, and Bryn Mawr has a 3-2 engineering program (some of the others may also). For a full list see: [The</a> Women’s College Coalition](<a href=“http://www.womenscolleges.org/]The”>http://www.womenscolleges.org/)</p>
<p>You have excellent grades, so read through these threads for ideas on techniques for finding Merit Aid:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/291483-update-what-i-learned-about-free-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/291483-update-what-i-learned-about-free-ride-scholarships.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html</a></p>
<p>You also need to sit down with your parents and run the EFC calculators at
[College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board)
and
[FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org)
Then you need to talk with them about just exactly how much money will be available for your education, and how much debt they are willing for you to take on. You need to know about the money situation before you go any further.</p>
<p>Michigan has excellent public universities, and a decent community college system that feeds straight into those universities. Your financial safety may well be your local community college. Take time to get to know it.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>
<p>You are so lucky to have Michigan as an option. Definitely apply.</p>
<p>My good friends daughter is interested in similar programs as you. Great stats…
MIT- rejected
Wash U- waitlisted.
UPenn- waitlisted or rejected
Tufts- Accepted
Brandeis-Accepted
Miami (FL)- 26K/yr and interviewed for full tuition. (The kids with very high stats are invited to interview for full tuition- up from the $26K that is offered.) If you can get your ACT to 34 or better, you would likely qualify for the interview. 32 or 33, maybe the $26K for you. A good financial safety for you. My valedictorian son is there on full merit award. Great school.
Mich- accepted
Brandeis- Accepted
JHU- Accepted</p>
<p>Michigan is a great choice for you. Miami as a financial safety. Princeton and MIT- great reaches (a reach for anyone even with great stats). You’d likely get into Cornell. There are so many great, top schools for you, just make sure to include a couple financial safeties you would like to go. (Safties- with your stats, pick private schools where you are at the top stats-wise.)</p>
<p>Have you visited MIT? Not just toured the campus, but spoken with professors, students, or sat in on a class? It is and awesome school, no question. However I do know several highly qualified engineering candidates whom after visiting decided it wasn’t their dream school after all. Before you put your hopes on a school, try to find out if it’s right for you.
Auburn offers an wonderful scholarship and honors programs that can offer full tuition for oos students. Even with the ‘overhaul’ at Alabama, unless you are Comp Sci, I would be more inclined to pick Auburn as a safety. Check their website. I believe 1440 is their magic SAT score.
Good Luck! I think you are getting some good advise here!</p>