@thumper1, you’ve given out some wrong information on UChicago. UChicago needs the FAFSA from the student to qualify for financial aid from the federal government. It also however needs either their own financial aid form which is free or the Profile (which costs money) to qualify for institutional grant aid. It also is one of the few private schools that does not require the noncustodial parent’s information to make a determination for their financial aid. I believe that Vanderbilt may be another one.
Always go to the school’s website to make sure about their prerequisites for fin aid. Things do change and every school can do things differently.
@ucbalumnus, yes UChicago appears to just have made the switch.
Excuse me…that is exactly what is posted in that link.
Students complete the fafsa…and the Chicago Fiancial aid worksheet. They are NOT required to complete the Profile form…at all.
I wrote
I also stated that the Profile can be substituted for the Chicago form.
See post 19.
@goingnutsmom
@thumper1, I was responding to your post #6 where you mentioned that it is a FASFA school only. That post did not mention anything else. I type slow… so my response came in later than your more detailed one.
University of Chicago made the switch to the current financial,aid process for,the students enrolling in 2016. I believe this is the second admission round with the current financial aid application process.
The school wanted to be more accessible to,students who had non-custodial parents, and difficulty getting the forms completed.
They are the only college that meets full need that does not require the Profile (except Princeton…whose own form is very similar to the Profile).
Really, it’s a wonderful option.
UChicago made a lot of changes to their financial aid with the No Barriers program. My daughter applied last year to UChicago and this was huge pitch in their presentation. But I seem to remember when filling out the fin aid forms that they still wanted non custodial info last year. Or maybe we filled out a non updated form early in the process.
I also remember Vanderbilt making a fuss about not considering the noncustodial parents info in their presentation. Good options to have for kids whose parents are not cooperating in helping them through college.
To OP…
Consider leveraging your stats (which are very good) for a scholarship to a lower tier school with a solid honors program. I understand wanting to go to a great/top school (my oldest felt the same), but you also have to be sure that you keep realistic financial options open. There is something to be said for being a big fish in a small pond. Aside from the financial perks they throw at you, you may get ample opportunities as one of their highly touted students. Given your location desire, you might want to consider, for instance, Catholic University.
Don’t get hung up on “foreign affairs”. If this is what you hope to do professionally, you can major in political science and become fluent in a foreign language (preferably what the US Government considers a “strategic language”- Mandarin, Arabic, Farsi, Russian, etc.). You can major in economics and focus on macro or econometrics and become highly employable even without graduate school. You can major in Urban Planning or Agronomy or Asian Studies or focus on some other part of the world. Knowing the history and culture and political system of other countries is at the core of “foreign affairs”- so majoring in history and focusing on a trouble spot- the Middle East, Korea, etc. is always a good strategy.
Don’t let the nomenclature keep you from applying to an affordable option. You can major in foreign affairs at literally every university in the country. (harder at a small college though since the language options will be limited).
If OP is a senior, this is late in the game. There are reasons he looks good for a top private college, but there is solid competition for many on his list, from other FL kids.
I’m not sure if he played with the NPC (even as a divorced family,) to see what the damage might be, a hypothetical worst case. But we don’t know what the father’s job is (self employed or other,) what “good money” means.
Yes, he has to talk with the parents.
And @Boston21 are you looking at international relations or intl studies majors? That’s the common heading. From there you spring into more intense or detailed focus. Yes, UFL has it.
adding: I missed blossom’s post, but she’s exactly right. Many ways to catch that bear.
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Don’t get hung up on “foreign affairs”. If this is what you hope to do professionally, you can major in political science and become fluent in a foreign language (preferably what the US Government considers a “strategic language”- Mandarin, Arabic, Farsi, Russian, etc.). You can major in economics and focus on macro or econometrics and become highly employable even without graduate school. You can major in Urban Planning or Agronomy or Asian Studies or focus on some other part of the world. Knowing the history and culture and political system of other countries is at the core of “foreign affairs”- so majoring in history and focusing on a trouble spot- the Middle East, Korea, etc. is always a good strategy.
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^^^ This…This…This
Too often we see kids hog-tie themselves thinking that they must go to a school with a certain major, when really many other majors would suffice…and provide more options for college…particularly when cost is an issue.
Also some schools have programs similar to study abroad but domestic so you can go to another US college for a semester or year. Also lots of schools have a Washington semester. Lots of times these programs don’t cost more - same tuition and financial aid goes with you.
Agree with @blossom above. Plenty of opportunities at most good instate schools. Look for good research opportunities and study abroad options.
OP, I am thinking that if you remain serious about foreign affairs, you will be looking at graduate school in your future. If you cannot get into (and pay for) one of your top choices, I would think that majoring/minoring (and excelling) in areas such as economics, languages, poli-sci, world history etc, would serve you well as a base for future specialization.
Oh, sorry,didn’t see that others had already suggested the same thing…
Update: I got into FSU Honors College with a generous scholarship!
Congrats! That is good news. I hope it all works out well for you. You had great stats and it is not surprising you got some good merit aid.
This is a very informative post.
TO ALL WHO POSTED,
I GOT A FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO WILLIAM AND MARY, MY FIRST CHOICE SCHOOL!
I’m so glad! You seem to have worked very hard to get this! Congratulations…I’m sure your mother is so proud and incredibly relieved as well. Looks like you’re on your way…and now you can take a breath and enjoy your last weeks of high school!
Congratulations. Getting a full ride to a first choice is a dream come true.
Enjoy!
