<p>I'm going to be a highschool senior for the 2009-2010 school year.. (know it's kind of early to start looking at universities). I've been doing some research, and I think I want to go to Fordham. I read that GPA is very important and I currently have a 3.7 GPA. I took 2 AP's junior year, and I'm taking 2 more AP's senior year. Does anyone think I have a good shot?</p>
<p>..also the school seems to be pretty expensive, and my parents don't have a college fund for me... How's the financial aid? Anyone with similar expereriences? Should I just apply to a cheaper school?</p>
<p>Right now is definitely not to early to look at colleges. In fact, earlier might have been better (not to scare you, but it takes time and effort to pick a school. The earlier the better! You’ll be fine though, no worries). I believe a 3.7 is what Fordham looks for, something in that range. It’s good that you took 2 APs and are taking 2 more, that’ll always look good. But if you completely bombed them, then not so much. Remember…it’s not just about grades and tests. </p>
<p>As for money:
I got into Fordham with a $6500 merit scholarship, which definitely was not enough to send me there. Fordham believed I wasn’t qualified for aid (middles class family, my dad has a good job, but I also have three younger siblings, so we’re not rich my any means). I was scared it wasn’t going to work out. But my parents put in an appeal to the financial aid office for at least a little more money. The lady at the office said not to expect too much though.</p>
<p>Much to my surprise, about 2-3 weeks later after I had visited the campus, I got a call from the office. They raised my scholarship to $7000 (the highest possible) and also gave me $8000 in aid, renewable each year. That sealed the deal for me! </p>
<p>So, what tuition looks like for me each year (everything is renewable):
$7000 scholarship
$8000 aid
$5500 federal student loan I have to pay back once I graduate
The rest is funds and other small loans</p>
<p>My advice: if you don’t get as much as you want, PUSH for it! Call the office, let them know you’re really interested in the school, but you need more money. It worked for me and now I’ll be going there in the fall! Best of luck to you in your college search! I know how hard it is…</p>