<p>@1203southview I’ll visit Pomona :). I only added the CSU’s as safeties. Cal Poly SLO, though, I like :)</p>
<p>@Lilliana330 Thanks! I like UCI. I am not a fan of UCSC.</p>
<p>@sallymeno11 Gotcha…Well, I believe UCI is a true safety in your case. Honestly, I had lower test scores than you and used UCSB as my safety (heavily relying on my essays), but that was a mistake. I got in, but it could’ve gone the other way. Wasn’t aware that many qualified/high stat applicants get rejected every year, although they’re one of the test score-favoring UC’s. Keep UCI just in case of -they’re more predictable.</p>
<p>UCR would be more predictable if the OP signs up for its admission guarantee in June or July.</p>
<p>But the OP needs to figure out the cost constraints. Otherwise, the OP may be disappointed in April to have several acceptances, none of which are affordable, leaving community college as the default safety (not necessarily a bad option, but can be a let-down if the OP backs into it after a financial shut-out instead of planning on it).</p>
<p>@Lilliana330 Thanks so much! 
Yeah I really like UCI and its location anyways! Definitely keeping that. Thus far, I’ve gotten rid of Cal poly pomona, CSU LB, and Columbia. Any other recommendations?</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus Thanks! I will DEFINITELY do that :). My house makes around 180,000 a year. HOWEVER, my sister’s high school costs nearly 40,000… that’s the only thing in the way of cost not being the biggest issue. My family also spends a lot on both of our music lessons. Once I go to college, they’ll still have the burden of my sister’s school and music lessons.
I’m not counting on getting too much need-based aid, if any. I am hoping for some merit… possibly? Do you think that might happen?</p>
<p>You need to ask your parents how much they will contribute to your college costs. You can take $5,500 of federal direct loans yourself (if you are willing to borrow; not all students are, for various reasons); part time and summer jobs may get you another few thousand per year.</p>
<p>When you figure out your price limit, you can then use the net price calculators on the colleges’ web sites to determine if they are affordable on need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>Take a look at these merit scholarship lists:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/16451378/#Comment_16451378”>Automatic Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - #300 by BobWallace - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums;
<a href=“Competitive Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - #50 by BobWallace - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>Competitive Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - #50 by BobWallace - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums;
<p>bump</p>
<p>“HOWEVER, my sister’s high school costs nearly 40,000”</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus Is this considered an expense on FAFSA? She might qualify for the Middle Class Plan at the UC’s ($180,000 - $40,000 = $140,000)…Or does it not work that way?</p>
<p>You can read <a href=“https://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/2014-15-fafsa.pdf”>https://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/2014-15-fafsa.pdf</a> to see what goes into FAFSA.</p>
<p>The FAFSA EFC formula is at <a href=“http://www.ifap.ed.gov/ifap/byAwardYear.jsp?type=efcformulaguide”>http://www.ifap.ed.gov/ifap/byAwardYear.jsp?type=efcformulaguide</a></p>
<p>Hmm seems like it’s not. Even if it were counted, it’d only amount to a ~$2k grant: <a href=“http://financialaid.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/docs/publications/Berkeley_Middle_Class_Access_Plan_Information_2013-14.pdf”>http://financialaid.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/docs/publications/Berkeley_Middle_Class_Access_Plan_Information_2013-14.pdf</a></p>
<p>@sallymeno11 Can your parents pay full price at a UC? You need an affordable safety…</p>
<p>""“HOWEVER, my sister’s high school costs nearly 40,000”</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus Is this considered an expense on FAFSA? She might qualify for the Middle Class Plan at the UC’s ($180,000 - $40,000 = $140,000)…Or does it not work that way?""</p>
<p>No, that expense is considered a choice and gets no consideration on FAFSA. No one needs to go to a $40k high school.</p>
<p>Sally, ask your parents exactly how much they will pay each year towards YOUR college costs. And, be sure to apply to a couple of schools that will give you very large merit for your stats</p>
<p>Might look at Holy Cross top25 LAC with strong science programs and very good pre-med reputation.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to apply to USC by the scholarship deadline!</p>
<p>You will very likely be full pay, pending your parents’ savings and home equity. The suitability of your list depends a great deal on how much money your parents are willing and able to contribute per year. This will determine how much merit aid you require, if any. If you do require merit aid, your list has to be tailored accordingly, and your current list might be largely unrealistic.</p>
<p>–Run a few of the Net Cost calcs WITH your parents’ supervision (don’t guess).
–Then once you understand what you’re asked to pay (typically), ask your parents how much money they can contribute per year.
–When you have a more viable shortlist you can run ALL the calcs to ensure the costs/aid for each school will not surprise you.</p>
<p>@Dunboyne We do not own a house. We rent an apartment. Does this change a thing? Sorry, I don’t really get this stuff hahah!</p>
<p>@sallymeno11. It makes a difference, but your household income and savings might put you into the realm of full pay, anyway. Run a few of the Net Cost calculators with your parents and you’ll see the magic unfold.</p>
<p>It does make a huge difference. I was in the same situation and got quite a lot financially. PM me for more info.</p>