<p>Hi guys! So, I'm already done with my college search, and am knee deep in the applications process. However, I've been asked to help my cousin find a few schools...because no one else in her family has the motivation. </p>
<p>The stats are: </p>
<p>SAT: not sure, no one knows-she hasn't disclosed the information. But I'd guess about 1500/2400</p>
<p>GPA: she hasn't told anyone, but I'd say 2.9 UW, with one AP course-don't know how she did on the test</p>
<p>EC's:</p>
<p>Part time job
Summer job</p>
<p>2 years varsity soccer (won't be recruited, as she has no interest in playing D1 or D2)
2 years JV</p>
<p>I've Suggested:</p>
<p>Southern New Hampshire University
Rhode Island College
Costal Carolina University
Colby Sawyer college</p>
<p>But other than that, I'm lost. We 're very different people-she's athletic, I'm more academic- so I can't just tell her to apply to the ones I'm applying to, although I am applying to Colby Sawyer. She's undeclared, and would like to go to a co-Ed school. Thanks for any suggestions!</p>
<p>She’s undeclared, MA resident, hasn’t seen her guidance counselor since first semester freshman year. Money is an issue-can afford to pay 10,000 a year, I’d imagine.</p>
<p>Possible majors?
Cost constraints (and state of residency)?
Is she recruitable at and interested in an NCAA D3 school (since you mentioned that she is not interested in D1 or D2)?
Other preferences in a school?</p>
<p>Obvious possibilities are the less selective state universities in her state, or starting at a community college and doing well enough to “upgrade” her selection of schools to transfer to as a junior. But without the above answers, most suggestions would be like throwing darts.</p>
<p>EDIT: Just saw the cross post. $10,000 per year is a pretty tight cost constraint; even commuting to a community college can cost more, if one includes the costs usually hidden in other parts of the family budget (food and utilities used by the student, car costs if student uses a car to commute (otherwise any other transportation costs), misc personal costs, etc.). Less selective schools are often poorer and not as good with financial aid. Running net price calculators at various schools can give an idea of what financial aid would be like.</p>
<p>She literally has no idea. I’ve suggested things to her-communications, poly sci, psychology-but she doesn’t know. She’s probably recruitable, but she doesn’t want to play-I’d imagine she’d change her mind if offered money. </p>
<p>Her only constraint would be that there must be a party scene.</p>
<p>I know, it’s a weird situation. Her family’s insane, tbh. Her mom hasn’t taken any interest in her education,her dad is depressed on and off-all three other kids have worked their way through school, at the same state school-which she has no interest in visiting. Ay carumba.</p>
<p>If that is truly her only consideration and she is as unmotivated as you have described her, perhaps this person needs to take a year or so and decide if she really wants to go to college. College is not for everyone.</p>
<p>Hmmm, given her past academic performance and apparent lack of academic interest in looking at majors to study in college, a party scene is probably something that her parents would likely consider a negative aspect in a school. Majoring in “fermented beverage sociology” may be less likely to lead to success.</p>
<p>I agree. Unfortunately I was roped into this process of helping her because I “have had opportunities she hasn’t” even though we’ve lived relatively similar lives.</p>
<p>If money is as tight as you describe, would recommend she consider CC and go into a program she finds appealing–EMT, imaging tech, physical therapy asst, paralegal, etc. or just start taking basic courses and experiment in some which appeal, maybe finance, accounting, business. No point in applying to schools she and her family can’t afford, especially when she has no idea of what she may want to study. I’d urge her to see her GC–that’s why he’s on the faculty.</p>
<p>Most schools have SOME party scene, but that is a very poor way to evaluate a U. You can’t help her much more without more info as to exactly what her family is willing and able to pay.</p>
<p>With a 2.9 GPA, a modest SAT, and a budget of maybe $10k per year, she doesn’t have many options. </p>
<p>The schools that give the best aid would expect higher stats. The reality is that most students commute to a local state school or CC for a reason - that’s all that they can afford and there aren’t colleges to give them the aid they’d need. </p>
<p>Frankly, with the parents lack of interest in her education, I kind of doubt that they’re going to produce $10k per year for her to go to college. The fact that the other sibs have worked their way thru the local college, strongly suggests that this family isn’t going to pay anywhere near that much. </p>
<p>I don’t know if her school GC will be of much help. Many just recommend attending the local schools in cases where stats are modest. And, some make the mistake of assuming money is no object (“FA will cover your costs”) and suggest schools that would never be affordable. </p>
<p>It’s nice that you want to help, but you haven’t been given the facts…you don’t know her GPA, you don’t know her test scores, and until the parents provide a budget, you really don’t know how much they’ll pay (if anything).</p>
<p>One of the benefits of her going to her CC and trying some courses and programs there is she could get a certification or other credential to get a job with significant pay. This would increase the money she could earn regardless of whether she decides to transfer to a four year college or take a gap while earning more with her credential. Most CCs are fairly affordable, especially if you live at home and commute.</p>
<p>Thanks. I’ve suggested the cc route, but naturally she won’t go for that-and I don’t think she could get into umass Amherst, but maybe Dartmouth would be an option</p>
<p>I’ve suggested the cc route, but naturally she won’t go for that</p>
<p>Well, it all good and fine that she won’t “go for that,” but she has to realize that her options are very limited because of HER OWN grades and test scores. And, her options are further hampered by the fact that her parents won’t pay much. </p>
<p>BTW…I suggest that your cousin find out FOR SURE how much her parents will pay each year. It’s hard to believe that parents who “show no interest” and who had their other children “work while attending the local college” will come up with a $1000 a month to put towards college. </p>
<p>Also, if your cousin really wants you to help her, you need to be dealing with facts…her real GPA, her test scores, etc.</p>
<p>That said, if her parents won’t pay for most costs of a college, it’s very likely she won’t have any affordable choices besides a local state school or CC. The schools that will accept a student with low stats aren’t the ones who have much aid to give.</p>
<p>Of course not, since her priority seems to be the party scene, not finding an academic interest. But that is probably why the best school for her, if she goes to college now, is likely a community college.</p>
<p>^^^
Exactly…and her parents likely know this as well. If so, and unless they’re affluent, they aren’t going to cough up $10k per year for parties.</p>
<p>This person is a perfect fit for Community College, but it sounds like she wants to ‘go somewhere’…Might I suggest you look for Community Colleges that have dorms? They do exist and allow her to ‘be on her own’. (In Missouri I know of 3 or 4 that have dorms).</p>
<p>This list isn’t complete because I know of two in Missouri not listed, but it might give you a start</p>