<p>Senior - Taking AP Calc AB
GPA weighted is about 3.9, unweighted is about 3.3
State: Missouri
ACT score: 31</p>
<p>Interests: I have played percussion in wind ensemble, marching band, jazz band and winter drumline all 4 years and have made all-District and hope to make All-State this year.</p>
<p>Major: This is part of the problem - I have no idea. I seem to be very good in Math (Scored a 34 on that section of the ACT) and I love playing music, but have a hard time seeing myself major in music.</p>
<p>My parents can afford almost nothing to help me - maybe $4000 a year tops. I'd like to not take a huge amount out in student loans if possible especially since I'm so unsure of my major.</p>
<p>I have no desire to go to some really 'elite' school as I would hate it. I've been accepted to Oklahoma State, Southeast Missouri State and a small private school in Missouri, and the small school is offering an amazing scholarship package, which virtually covers everything when I add in the Missouri Bright Flight scholarship I get for my ACT score.</p>
<p>While I like the small school, it has limited numbers of majors (about 50) and I'm a tad scared that after a year or two there, I might want to major in something they don't have (Physics is a good example).</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, what would your advice be - Take out a loan and go to one of the larger state schools which have multiple majors, or go to the smaller private school and take my chances and if I decide to change majors, simply transfer. My dad says he is a bit leary of the transfer idea because he doesn't think I'll get as good a scholarship after going somewhere for two years.</p>
<p>I'm open to other school ideas if someone has some.</p>
<p>Have you looked at Hendrix College in Arkansas? I know the last thing you want to do as a Senior is take the ACT again, but if you raised your score just 1 point, you could qualify for a full ride scholarship. Another local school is William Jewell, near KC, which also offers pretty good scholarships! They both offer physics, music and math. </p>
<p>But for your original question: Did you get scholarships to OSU or SEMO? If not, then transferring later will not matter financially and you can start at the small school with no worries. If you did, then your dad is right, the scholarships will be gone after you enroll somewhere else. If this is the case, I would try to think which school fits you better (academically, socially, and financially - how much in loans do you want to be responsible for as a college student?) and if you really think that you’ll be limited by the number of majors. Go through the list of majors for each school and think about how many you would actually consider majoring in. Just decided what is really important to you and compare what each school has to offer.</p>
<p>For maximum flexibility on your options, Mizzou may be your best bet. Plus you could join Marching Mizzou! Money may be an object, but then again, maybe not. Band scholarship?</p>
<p>Also, check out LACs that are need-blind on admissions and promise good FA packages. It might actually be cheaper to go there, and they’ll offer the majors you need, like physics.</p>
<p>LACs will have the same problem as the small MO school the OP already been admitted to. </p>
<p>OP, go to the Financial Aid forum and look at the stickied threads at the top. There are schools that will offer full tuition scholarships with your wtd GPA and scores.</p>