Hey, I’m in the top 10 of my nj high school in a large public high school with many asians, perfect SAT, many strong local/state level ecs, but nothing national/intl level, etc. My family income is 130k, and my parents are willing to pay 30k a year, maybe 40k per year for a few top schools (like ivies) schools. I’m applying to a bunch of privates that are known for good aid, but my question is it worth applying to top but expensive out of state public schools which I probably cannot afford unless I get a hail mary merit scholarship. I ask because for a few of these schools, such as U Michigan and Georgia Tech, all or most of the people with my GPA and test score range from my school have gotten in, but these schools might cost 50k-65k for me (A lot of my friends are wealthier and have no qualms about applying to these).
Here are the schools in question with rought estimates of net cost according to their FA calculators, not including loans/work-study (intended major: CS):
UC Berkeley ($65k), UCLA ($65k), Georgia Tech ($50k), UIUC ($55k), U Michigan ($52k), UT Austin ($52k), UVA ($40k), UNC ($40k), U Washinton ($50k)
I suppose that it doesn’t actually hurt to apply, but definitely apply to your very good in-state options and don’t get your hopes up for out of state publics.
UC’s do give merit aid to OOS applicants for example Regents, but the merit aid is also tied to financial need which is only available to in-state applicants. UCB/UCLA’s OOS Regent scholarship winners get $2000/year for UCLA and $2500/year for UCB. A drop in the bucket in comparison to the $60K+/year cost of attendance.
University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
Stamps Leadership Scholarship
This scholarship gives full tuition, plus an enrichment fund up to $12,000. You have to be nominated by the University for this scholarship based upon such qualities as leadership, scholarship, community service, innovation. A maximum of ten are awarded every year: five nationally, and five for California residents. Invitations to apply are e-mailed on February 1st; applications are due mid-February.
As the merit scholarships are much much more competitive, you may need to cast a wider net or just treat it without expectation. Nevertheless, I would not be surprised if you get one. UMICH has around 15 full ride and dozens full tuition scholarships plus a couple hundreds of major scholarships to may give up to $10k per year for in state and $20k per year for OOS. The CoA is around $60k this year. In addition, it is going to be higher for certain schools like Ross and CoE, and further higher for upper classmen.
For UIUC, their financial aid is very poor, need or merit based. However, the tuition is fixed for 4 years.
If you would go with mid tier and below, you could get very good merit aid, there are simply too many applicants for top public schools to give a lot of merit aid out. None of the schools on your list are worth their OOS price tag. You have the potential to be a top performer at a mid tier school that would land you your choice of top graduate schools if you so desire.
You will not get merit scholarships from the universities you listed.
UMichigan, UVa, and UNC offer some need -based aid and you may get enough that, with your parents’ contribution, work earnings, and federal loans (5.5k) they may be affordable if admitted.
Therefore I’d focus on these only.
Don’t forget to apply to Rutgers, TCNJ, Rowan, but also Temple and UDel, plus Bucknell, Lafayette, Lehigh, Trinity CT. Run the NPC on all of those.
Why not apply to Princeton? They accept a large amount of NJ applicants each year and have a substantial endowments that would help offset the financial costs for your family. Merit Scholarships for OOS Public Universities are few and they usually give them to the high percentage of in state students. I’ll add that my Son with similar stats wasn’t offered Merit Scholarships at any of the OOS Public Universities that he applied to. He was offered Merit Scholarships to 1 private in state school.
@1Tiger21 I am applying to Princeton, just wondering if it’s worth it to apply to publics or not. @MYOS Thanks for the recommendation of UMich, UVA, UNC. I’m applying to Rutgers, but not interest in liberal arts schools or any of the other schools you said @CU123 What midtier schools are you referring to? Right now only realy safeties I have are Rutgers and UMD.
That will be your price. You won’t get the merit aid you seek from the California publics. Why? The State of California is strapped for cash. That’s why, if you want to come badly enough, you will pay full fees. The State needs your money. They have plenty of qualified instate merit students. Remember that Berkeley and LA get over 90K applications a year.
As @Gumbymom noted, If you were to get a merit offer, figure about $2500 a year which would barely cover your health insurance fees.
The California public universities were intended for California resident students (whose parents pay hefty state taxes) to make a university education available and affordable for Californians. So if any merit dollars are available, they go to instate residents, first.
You do realize that the California publics are HUGE? My dd’s bio class had 750 students. These are public universities.
Outside the large population states you’ll find state flagships that will give top tier students full rides or at least in state tuition, Alabama, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado even places like Ohio State, and VT have scholarships available, forget about UC’s.
OP: believe the net price calculators, you generally can’t go to the schools on your list for 30K if you’re OOS. But, if there is a school or two you are highly passionate about, do a spectacular job with your app and essays and try for the long shot scholarship. Just make sure there is a long shot scholarship available to OOS students to actually go for and don’t make long shot schools and scholarships over half your list.
Add to list in post 13, U of Arizona just announced a big bump up in merit scholarship amounts that should get a top OOS student costs below 30K. Also in the WUE states try New Mexico.
I bet with the OP stats they will get into Princeton. It is worth a try to apply to other Universities that all of the above posted. The Universities that are have large endowments would be the best option if the OP wants a rigorous academic education with like minded students with the benefit of some financial aid. If money becomes a concern than being a “big fish” might be a great option and save the money for graduate school.
@1Tiger21 You would bet the OP will get into Princeton? Just no. Do they have the necessary stats? Based on what is posted, yes, but admission to any tippy top school is far more nuanced than a post like the OP can even come close to determining.
@1qwertyuiop19 GT does have a few high dollar scholarship like Stamps; you have to apply by Oct 15. UNC has the Robertson and Morehead. UVA has the Jefferson. For scholarships like these, consider the competition more selective than admissions to the top schools in the country. GPA, perfect test scores, etc are not enough to be awarded these types of scholarships. The threshold is very high. They are looking for students who are going to make a difference in the world and what students have been engaged in outside of the classroom is going to be what matters.
Apply bc if you don’t the odds are zero. But make sure you apply to schools that you know you can afford and are willing to attend.