<p>Hey, I'm a junior just starting to look at colleges. I have a preliminary list of around 15 or so that I like, but U of R has really jumped out at me a lot. I still don't have a lot of information on all the schools, but Richmond is definitely a front-runner at this point. Here's my info:</p>
<ul>
<li>Junior in HS</li>
<li>Weighted GPA around 4.75 I believe at the start of the year (which translates at my school to roughly like a 3.65-3.75 UW I think)</li>
<li>205 on the PSATs this October (first time taking them)</li>
<li>Course load is difficult overall: I've taken all available Honors classes since I started in freshman year except for foreign languages. My middle school French and Spanish courses were a joke, so I chose to start in German 1 instead (which is actually a reason my GPA is a bit "low", because I didn't get the weighted honors language classes other kids did.) This year I have 3 APs (Psych, English, APUSH) and plan to take 4-5 next year (Economics, English, Music Theory, Bio and possibly AP Calc AB)</li>
<li>Good grades- Mostly A's and A+'s. with the occasional B+ and the rare B. Only exception is an impossible Physics class this year- I had a C+ first marking period, and I can't see myself raising that.</li>
<li>About to start a supposedly very helpful SAT class, so I'm expecting at least a 2000 on my SATs, and maybe more like 2200 (and probably around a 1400 out of 1600), although it's hard to tell</li>
<li>Solid, not great ECs. I play guitar, do some volunteer work, have held down a job since a day after I turned 15. I'm VP of German Honor Society, sort of co-Treasurer of my grade's Board, and hope to get into NHS for senior year, and want to try to get president of that.</li>
<li>At start of year, #33 in my class of 370 kids.</li>
</ul>
<p>Can anyone give me an idea of my chances? I'm out of state (from NJ), in case that has an effect on admissions. </p>
<p>Also, can anyone at U of R offer a little more insight into the school? Is the undergrad business and finance program nice? I know it's ranked very well, but how does an actual student see it? And how is the social life out there?</p>
<p>I responded to your other post but I will expound a little…My D says, “find the thing that sets you apart and tell the story in your essay.” UR wants a well rounded student. I don’t think UR is looking for a 100% geeky academic type. My D had a 1900 SAT but great ECs and a great essay to go with excellent grades and high class rank. The Robins School of Business is highly regarded. When you get a chance, go visit. Great campus.</p>
<p>UR is also 100% need met with a very high % of aid coming from grants and scholarships. They are also truly need blind.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your help in both threads. Yeah, Robins School really interests me a lot, and the campus looks beautiful. I’ll probably try to get down there for a visit over spring break. Glad to hear they are good with the FA as well…</p>
<p>Simon, Robins is great and will only get better with the new addition they’re building (you can watch the construction yourself here: [University</a> of Richmond - Queally Hall Webcam](<a href=“http://construction.richmond.edu/queally-hall/webcam.htm]University”>http://construction.richmond.edu/queally-hall/webcam.htm) or learn about the new features here: [Features</a>, Queally Hall, Construction, University of Richmond](<a href=“http://construction.richmond.edu/queally-hall/features.html]Features”>http://construction.richmond.edu/queally-hall/features.html)). With the increased exposure that the school has received, more and more students are choosing UR for business, so they’re going to require you to apply, I believe, after your freshman year. Make decent grades during your first year, and it shouldn’t be a big issue though. I think they incorporated this to make sure that they’re able to keep class sizes down and keep up the high quality students coming out.</p>
<p>I will also mention that the faculty are absolutely fantastic. They make themselves available (had one meeting with a prof in her office at 5am) and I’ve maintained relationships with several over the last five years since I’ve graduated.</p>
<p>[Cost</a> of Attendance, Financial Aid, University of Richmond](<a href=“Financial Aid - University of Richmond”>http://financialaid.richmond.edu/prospective/aid/cost.html)
^link to total cost for 2009-2010. Be aware that the cost goes up to some degree every year.</p>
<p>Sit down with your parents and discuss finances with them. Remember that when schools dole out financial aid, it’s based on what THEY consider need, not what your parents consider need. Have your parents crunch the numbers and see where they stand as far as need based aid goes.</p>
<p>Spider, that building looks awesome! And yes, I’ve heard the professors are fantastic, glad to have that re-affirmed.</p>
<p>Nysmile, FA will be an issue. My sister is in college and will be for my first two years, and although my parents both make salaries that would seem reasonable in certain areas of the country, due to the extraordinarily high cost of living in NJ, their salaries+my sister’s tuition leaves them with very little money available…</p>
<p>It’s definitely important to discuss the financial facts with your parents before getting deep into the college search process. Living in a high cost of living area hurts when trying to get financial aid. While your living expenses are higher, so are the incomes and asset values and this comes into play. Use the link below to get an idea of how the Estimated Family Contribution works. Have your parents punch in the numbers to get an estimated family contribution figure.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml[/url]”>http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml</a></p>