Looking for (Financial) Safeties

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello! I'm a current rising senior. I've been researching colleges since the third grade (teehee) and am in need of another safety, preferably a financial one. I definitely need financial assistance and I'm avoiding loans like the plague. Does anyone have any suggestions for schools that would work for me as a safety based on my stats? I'm generally a straight-A student with a few B+s (all math and science) and a nasty D (math) on my report card. Urban schools are a must unless its a suburban school within a half-hour's drive from a city (but, if it fits me otherwise please mention anyway). I'm very partial to the Northeast, but I can budge. :p </p>

<p>I will be majoring in French and either history or international relations/studies. I'm very humanities/social sciences-biased.</p>

<p>Please and thank you!</p>

<p>
[quote]
Gender: F
Race/Ethnicity: Black/African-American
Location: Washington, D.C.
High School: Private
High School Type: sends some grads to top schools</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.63
GPA - Weighted: 3.72
Class Rank: top 5%
AP: U.S. History (4), European History (4)<em>, English Language (4)</em>, World History (3)<em>, Comparative Government (2)</em></p>

<p>Also, I've taken several honors classes and will be undertaking an independent study project (in French!) on French and Muslim relations senior year.</p>

<p>*I studied for these independently, if that matters.</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 480 (also, a D in my honors Algebra II class)
SAT I Critical Reading: 700
SAT I Writing: 670</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Worked full time (40 hr/week) at the British Embassy in the passport office as a temporary clerk
Volunteered for three months full time as a junior counselor for young children at a day camp
Have been writing original short stories and a novel since freshman year; two short stories have been published in my school's annual literary magazine
Creator and maintainer of company blog</p>

<p>Honors and Awards: </p>

<p>National Honor Society
French Honor Society
Cum Laude Society
Sewanee Award for Excellence in Writing</p>

<p>Desired College Characteristics:</p>

<p>Location type: Urban, Small City
Size: Small (Under 2,500), Medium Small (2,500 - 5,000), Medium (5,000 - 10,000)
Women's college: Yes (Not a must-have, though!)
Area: Other, East Coast, West Coast, Midwest
Importance of cost: Very important

[/quote]
</p>

2

<p>Smith college claims to meet full need, is a women’s college, and is SAT optional. Would you be considered in-state for VA or MD?</p>

3

<p>Others will recommend schools, but I wanted to make mention of the many scholarships available for hard-working, talented minority and non-minority students with financial need both nationally and in the DC metro area. Your school may have a list of these scholarships. In addition, you should join some of the on-line scholarship forums (FastWeb is one) which will notify you of those that apply to you. Check the scholarship lists on-line at the public schools in the DC metro area. There are probably 50 or more in amounts from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars, some renewable. Most will require your transcript, one or more letters of recommendation, an essay (such as you would provide with your common application-reuse it), a list of your ECs and your family’s EFC. Also take a close look at the Posse Program-free tuition at some excellent schools, if you are one of those selected from the DC metro area. </p>

<p>That isn’t to suggest you won’t need financial safeties, but you could significantly reduce the burdon on your family by being aware of what’s out there.</p>

4

<p>@Erin’s Dad: I’d be considered in-state for Maryland. Also, I’ll check Smith out. Thanks!</p>

<p>@M’s Mom: I was nominated for Posse and am going to the open house before the end of this month. :smiley: Thank you; I’ll go scholarship-hunting before school is back in session.</p>

5

<p>Have you considered Goucher College?</p>

6

<p>@farfallena: In a vague, dismissive way, I have. Goucher is in Baltimore, which is a boring city with terrible crime rates. Also, in-state, which I’m not keen on doing even though by the time I get to college it’ll technically be away from home. It’s a safety, though, and I’ve heard good things about Goucher, so I’m going to give it a fair shot and do some research. :)</p>

7

<p>U of Rochester, NY
St. Lawrence University, NY (close to Montreal)
Agnes Scott College, GA
Macalester College, MN
Ohio Wesleyan University
Texas Christian University</p>

8

<p>Do you qualify for need based aid or need merit aid?</p>

<p>if need based, I would take a hard look at the top SAT optional schools. You may have to bend on the urban for your best possible schools. You have a lifetime to live in cities of choice.</p>

9

<p>@Lake: Thank you!</p>

<p>@Redroses: Both, but I’m not sure exactly how much and, for need merit aid, under what circumstances. Alsom If I apply to an SAT-optional school and choose to turn in my scores, would that work for or against me?</p>