I probably need more transfer matches. Help?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a sophomore in a decent community college and I'm inching my way towards a finalized list of schools to apply to.</p>

<p>Here are some stats:</p>

<p>Current GPA: 4.0 (might drop to something in the 3.9 range after this semester)
HS GPA: 2.something. Yeah, I know. I have some valid explanations I'll be listing under additional information on apps.
SAT scores: 630 M, 750 CR, 780 W - Taken in my junior year; may or may not have fallen asleep during it; might be retaking these.
ECs: Four years of high school newspaper, with several leadership positions (up to EIC) and state-level first place awards. 532 hours of community service on high school transcripts. Summer journalism program at a univeristy after senior year. Several jobs, from a stint in retail (~30 hours a week) to my current one at a unique and internationally-recognized nonprofit which came as the result of three years of volunteering. Over a year of writing for an online fan-oriented entertainment magazine. A few other things.
Hooks: Hispanic; first-gen immigrant (w/ citizenship); first-gen college student.
Major: Something along the lines of English or Communications. Probably.</p>

<p>Here's a tentative list of where I'm applying:</p>

<p>Safety: A state school or two.
Hopefully a Match: Emerson (my school has an articulation agreement with them)
Futile $75 Donation to Admissions Office: Barnard, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Penn, Yale</p>

<p>Here's a bit of what I'm looking for in a school:</p>

<p>Strong writing/comm programs. Value placed on intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. Engaged, genuine student body. Welcoming towards transfer students. Preferably in the northeast. Preferably private. Preferably generous with financial aid - even at my cc, my EFC is 0 - though not necessary as I've resigned myself to the reality of a life of student debt.</p>

<p>I've gone through just about every list out there. Obsessively. But I think a human element would really help, so if anybody has any thoughts on where else I should apply - especially in re: matches or private, northeast safeties - I'd really, really appreciate it.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>If you’ll be transferring for next fall, you don’t have to include any high school info at most/all colleges…so don’t worry about that. And, many won’t ask for test scores, either.</p>

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<p>YOU can only borrow $7500 as a junior, so you’re not going to have a lot of debt. To borrow more would require your parents to borrow and it sounds like they won’t qualify.</p>

<p>Transfers often get the worst aid, so you need to focus on schools that do meet need for transfers. Hopefully, people here can recommend some. </p>

<p>Your state schools may NOT be affordable. What were the results when you ran the NPCs for those schools?</p>

<p>I doubt that Emerson will be affordable, so take that off.</p>

<p>If your EFC is 0, then you should be getting app waivers for those top schools (where were you going to get the $75 per app anyway???)</p>

<p>You also need to get waivers to send CSS Profile.</p>

<p>Do you have an non-custodial parent? If so, those top schools are going to want your NCP info as well.</p>

<p>What is your home state?</p>

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<p>Thank you for the insight, @mom2collegekids‌!</p>

<p>To answer some of your questions: the “$75” thing was mostly a joke, as I will be applying for waivers for all my schools. I was just joking about how low my chances of getting into those are. Thank you for tipping me off about the CSS waivers - I hadn’t even considered that yet.</p>

<p>Florida is my home state. As of right now, I will only be applying to UCF.</p>

<p>Re: your statement about borrowing - I know that’s my limit through federal loans, but what about private loans? I’ve been maintaining a good credit score since 2013. </p>

<p>Again, your insight is helpful and your obvious dedication to helping people on here figure things out is awesome. Thank you!</p>

<p>If anybody else has suggestions for other schools to apply to, I’d really appreciate that!</p>

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<p>How in the world will you borrow on unsecured credit, even with a good credit score? Why only apply to UCF? There are other good FL colleges?</p>