<p>Big dilemma. I'm about to finish my junior year in high school, and I met with my guidance counselor today for the required junior meeting to see if I'm on track for senior year. I've been looking at schools for over a year now and unfortunately my counselor confirmed something that I should have thought of earlier:</p>
<p>I NEED SAFETY SCHOOLS!</p>
<p>My list comprises of some very selective schools and I am fully aware that I need to add safeties and even target schools. Here's my current FULL list:</p>
<p>Bowdoin C
Colby C
Colgate U
C Holy Cross
Connecticut C
Emerson C
Hamilton C (NY)
Middlebury C
Providence C
Trinity C (CT)
Tufts U
Wesleyan U</p>
<p>Yes I have a lot of schools here. But I need to eliminate some and add safeties. I'm looking, ideally, to attend a small school under 3000 undergrads with a good academic reputation, but possibly a high acceptance rate. I currently have a 2110 SAT which will improve, solid ECs, 6 APs (including calc), 4.28 unweighted GPA on a 4.33 scale (only a few A-, nothing below), a couple of leadership positions, legacy at my top choice school...and I'd prefer to stay in New England or New York!</p>
<p>Any schools that you think may be safeties for me, PLEASE share, thank you so much!!!</p>
<p>The state universities in your state of residence?</p>
<p>Also, if cost is an issue (as it is for most these days), be sure to include consideration of whether the school is generous with need or merit financial aid. An admissions safety does no good if it is too expensive, while a financial safety does not good if you do not get admitted.</p>
<p>From your list conn c and trinity would be match/safeties. Providence I believe would be a safety.
Add Union, Bard, Sarah Lawrence, Marist as other safeties.</p>
<p>These are all around $50,000 per year schools. Will you qualify for financial aid? What are your parents able or willing to pay? Unless you are very well off I would add some financial safeties too as merit aid isn’t a given…but an impressive list of schools!</p>
<p>4.33 scale. 4.33 is an A+, and no grades are weighted.</p>
<p>I need advice on financial safeties, too. My parents are not rich but have been saving for twenty years, and some of these schools (Middlebury and Colby, at least, I’m sure) give out an average grant of over 30K, and don’t do loans.</p>
<p>Some schools on your list do not give out merit aid. </p>
<p>Do calculate your EFC, try the Collegeboard website & use your parents 2010 Tax Return, select FM & IM, keep hitting “save” so you can refer back to the numbers. </p>
<p>There is no sense applying to some schools if they are not going to be affordable for your family.</p>
<p>My family has assured me that I can go to Middlebury if I get in, no matter what the price is (my first choice school). They are encouraging me to apply everywhere I could see myself attending. I’m NOT saying we won’t be in debt, which we will be, and I’m going to be paying that off, but my parents are really pushing me to apply to a ton of schools. Esoecially my top two, Colby and Midd, which are need-blind and meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.</p>
<p>Based on a quick calculation of EFC from FinAid.com, it should be about 30K.</p>
<p>Your parents need to be aware that with an EFC of $30K they will probably have to pay more once Mid and Colby take into account assets since they are Profile schools. Are you willing to look at midwest schools that might be about the same distance from NY as some of your NE schools? They tend to offer some better merit aid.</p>
<p>I’d kind of like to stay within a few states of my home in Vermont. But SLU, Skidmore and Hobart were good suggestions, I think I’ll add them to my list of places to check out.</p>
<p>My mom has a meeting with a financial advisor at Middlebury next week, so we’ll see how it goes and hopefully get a better picture of the whole aid process.</p>
<p>* I’m looking, ideally, to attend a small school under 3000 undergrads with a good academic reputation, but possibly a high acceptance rate. I currently have a 2110 SAT which will improve, solid ECs, 6 APs (including calc), 4.28 unweighted GPA on a 4.33 scale *</p>
<p><a href=“Middlebury%20and%20Colby,%20at%20least,%20I’m%20sure”>I</a> give out an average grant of over 30K, and don’t do loans. *</p>
<p>**Average grants have NOTHING to do with any ONE person. ** That can mean that some people get $50k in grants or more and some may get $10k or less. You cannot look at what average grant a school gives and estimate what YOU will get. Believe me…there are some people at those schools that get NOTHING…not one cent in grants. </p>
<p>Based on a quick calculation of EFC from FinAid.com, it should be about 30K.</p>
<p>Did you use a FAFSA calculator or an IM calculator? Do you know how much equity your parents have in your home? Do you know how much they have in savings/investments? You probably need to have your parents use an IM calculator. </p>
<p>there are some small LACs that would give you merit scholarships for your stats. Hopefully, someone can name some specific schools for you.</p>
<p>My mom met with a Midd financial aid advisor and they talk about our financial situation. All my mom will tell me is that, if I get accepted, I can go. I guess that’s good!</p>