So today was a big day for ED and I got the short end of the stick. It’s too bad but life goes on. I’m looking forward, not backward.
That being said, I do not know where to go at all. I’m a senior and I can feel the clock slowly ticking away. That’s why I’ve come to you for help! If anyone would be kind enough, I could really use some help for some recommendations for colleges that match my interests or would provide an overall exceptional education because I will likely change my mind.
To give you some background (I know CC loves stats) I have a 3.7 UW GPA and a 30 on my ACT. Not fantastic but not bad either. I will have 4 AP classes under my belt by the end of senior year as well as many honors classes. While I would consider these stats a bit below average for the places I would like to go I feel as though my ECs make me a competitive candidate (sorry, would elaborate but I don’t have much time right now). My essays can be very good and my recs are very, very good.
I’m interested in everything so I feel as though some kind of college of arts and sciences degree wouldn’t be bad.
As for colleges/universities, I’m looking for a really good undergrad education that’s somewhat well known as well as a place thats affordable for me (20-30K total/year). Finally, an aesthetically pleasing campus would also be a huge plus, as I enjoy both cities and nature.
Thank you for any suggestions in advance, I just need an idea of where I might fit in!
Given your cost constraints, look public first. Your previous stats seem to indicate that you are in Wisconsin, so UW-Madison is an obvious choice for you. It’s an excellent value, with the total cost of attendance for WI residents less than $25K a year. Being a WI resident, you also have access to the University of Minnesota at resident rates through the reciprocity agreement - which is another excellent public option and a great value, also about $25K per year. You also get discounted tuition at the already super-inexpensive University of North Dakota, whose total cost of attendance will come out to less than $20K per year for you. North Dakota State has a similar policy and tuition rate.
Finally, given that you live in WI, the Western Undergraduate Exchange program allows residents of certain Midwestern and Western states to pay tuition at 150% of resident rates at participating WUE public institutions. Those schools include Arizona State (in select programs), several Cal State campuses, University of Arizona, Portland State University, Washington State University, Western Washington University, CU-Denver and CU-Colorado Springs, and University of Hawaii, among other schools (mostly smaller regional campuses of state university systems). That brings costs down: about $30K for Arizona, $26K fro Portland State, or about $33K for Washington State, for example.
If you want to go to a private school, whether your parents can pay that much will depend on their finances. There are top privates that will meet 100% of your financial need if you’re admitted, but if your family’s EFC is higher than $20-30K you’d pay more. A good bet, then, is to find some private schools at which you’re in the top 25% or so of the entering class - because you’re more likely to get offered some merit scholarship support at these places.
I second the , CTCL schools, if you want small LAC’s. You will likely qualify for significant merit aid at these types of schools: Willamette, and Whitman are two options.
Schools in the south and midwest are more likely to give merit aid than schools in the northeast.
Beloit College in Beloit Wisconsin guarantees $25000 per year merit for Wisconsin students graduating with a 3.5 or higher. Total direct costs (2015-16) are $52940. So net after merit will be below $30000.
Many of the ctcl schools will have similar amounts of merit and similar net price.
UW - Madison
UM - Twin Cities
Miami (OH)
University of Alabama (lots of good merit aid and good honors program)
Northwestern (had a friend who got accepted last year with a 3.3 and 29 but had STELLAR essays. You have a chance)