<p>I’d add The College of New Jersey to your list. </p>
<p>My understanding is that New Jersey does not allow its state college grants to be used at colleges located in other states. If you are eligible for significant state grants, I’d add some more New Jersey schools. </p>
<p>There are a ton of quality liberal arts and sciences colleges in eastern PA. The more selective ones typically meet 100% of proven need (after federal loans, work study, etc), while the less selective ones typically offer 50% off of tuition merit aid. Lafayette College is an example of one that is very generous with need-based aid, is strong in the sciences, and is not far from New Jersey.</p>
<p>As far as California, save your money and try to visit during a summer.</p>
<p>If you are interested in S California look at some of the small private schools. Whittier and U of Redlands would likely give you lots of merit and FA.</p>
<p>Colby has a program where it flies some promising students <em>for free</em> to discover their campus. There’s an application and the deadline is 2 weeks from now, but I think you match exactly who they have in mind: smart, driven, whose parents can’t take him/her on college tours for financial and other reasons. (In your case it doesn’t sound like your legal guardian can take you on college tours…) I urge you to apply, you’ve got nothing to lose!
[Colby</a> College | Admissions & Financial Aid | Experience Colby](<a href=“http://www.colby.edu/admissions_cs/visit/ec/]Colby”>http://www.colby.edu/admissions_cs/visit/ec/)</p>
<p>Thanks, that application is a little confusing but I’m filling it out now. </p>
<p>I’ve added Colby to my list. </p>
<p>As far as TCNJ goes, eh. Its not a bad school but Rutgers is probably a far better fit for me. </p>
<p>And since I’m responding to stuff, I’m going to give the SAT another go and study for the math. I feel pretty confident that I can get it higher.</p>
<p>Once you remove OOS publics that do not have good scholarship numbers for OOS students, your list is fine. Your GC can help you with some good local “sure shot schools”, and if Rutgers is likely to be affordable, you can shoot for the stars for the rest of your choices. Make sure your stats are in the upper 25% of some of your choices to give you a decent shot of acceptances. Look at schools that tend to meet need or come close to it. But you do have a good start on your list. Just drop those UCs and UTs, because the pickings are not good for OOSers at those schools in terms of aid unless your numbers are way up there or you have some hook that the schools most want.</p>
<p>Not to keep going on about Colby, but they give loan free aid packages too. If you are interested in being near your family you can look at USD.</p>