I’m interested in finance and many of the top schools only have Econ. I’ve posted before for undergrad business only but I’m open to Econ now. There weren’t many reaches with good FA. I currently have Georgetown and BC as reaches. Have looked at Cornell and CMU but Cornell might be too high of a reach and CMU financial aid is iffy. Other b school reaches were either out of my league(Penn, MIT, etc) or didn’t have goodfinancial aid(top OOS publics). Any suggestions for schools with good finance placement and really good FA? I have solid safeties and some matches already so looking to round out my list. For reference our income is around 70k family of 4 so really need the aid for private schools and it’s reasonable at schools that meet need. Only constraint other than FA is location, in the northeast and midatlantic regions or a little more south but not Midwest/west coast. Prefer mid to large sized universities not LACs.
Demographics: Asian male, middle class, PA, finance/Econ major
Objective:
GPA: 97 UW, 99 W(4.0 UW on 4 scale for context)
SAT: 1510/1600 New SAT superscored,1480 single sitting(2190 superscored, 2130 single sitting converted to old SAT)
ACT: Taking in September and hoping for 34+, but would like suggestions with current SAT scores
SAT II: 720 Bio E, Math II and Lit in fall
Rank- 2/100
Course Rigor- 7 APs, 9 Honors throughout high school, most rigorous in my school
ECs:
FBLA-2 years- treasurer(11), president(12)- 1st at regionals, ~20th at states
Model UN- 2 years- treasurer(12)- best delegate, 3 events per year
Tennis- 3 years- #2 singles on varsity team, club team, local tournaments, etc(biggest EC, not recruit level though)
Tennis volunteering- helping out at local clinics over this summer for our district residents(100 hrs)
Students against destructive decisions(SADD)-4 years-treasurer(11)
Engineering competition-11-12th
Recycling club- 9-12th- President(12)
Piano- seven years- private lessons
-Duke University
-Lehigh University
-Princeton University
-Tufts University
-UNC Chapel Hill
-University of Virginia
-Vanderbilt University
I agree you should check out the schools posted by @newjerseygirl98, but I just wanted to add that BC is notorious for giving people a bad financial aid package. Just because a school meets 100% need does not mean the way the school calculates that need will match what you/your parents think your need is.
@sophie9999 I have heard mixed things about BC too but it mainly has to do with home equity which we don’t have a lot of. The NPC came out affordable for what it’s worth.
@newjerseygirl98 Thanks for the suggestions. I’m applying to quite a few schools non restrictive EA so do you think I would have a chance at those in the RD round? I have looked into Lehigh and their NPC came out affordable but haven’t looked much at the others.
@class0f2017 Okay, glad to hear you’ve already looked into it. Good luck!
You’re welcome! I think you definitely have a shot at Lehigh.
UNC & UVA are very competitive out-of-state. The acceptance rates are 19% and 25%, so they’re a reach for anyone. For schools such as Duke, Princeton, Tufts, and Vandy, you’d have a chance with a 32+ ACT score.
@newjerseygirl98 My current single sitting SAT converts to a 32 and superscore converts to a 33. I am hoping to get a 34 on the ACT if that makes a big difference. I would probably get close to a full ride at Princeton but idk if I have a chance there.
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2015/09/14/colleges-that-report-meeting-full-financial-need
Here is a list of the colleges that meet the full financial need of applicants.
Be aware that some schools include loans in the package. Look up “(college name) net price calculator” to get an idea. If you are open to liberal arts colleges, ,any of those give great FA.
@SonOfAbraham I have seen those lists but I’m also looking for schools that are specifically good for finance. Not sure whats a good reach and what’s out of reach for me.
Also is Duke a reasonable reach for me? I have looked into it but idk if I’m a competitive applicant. I think my scores are below average right now along with my demographics especially in the most popular major. I have debated EDing to Duke or EAing Georgetown, BC, and Villanova. I would get amazing financial aid at Duke, probably more than any other school. Would ED still be a bad choice even though the NPC came the cheapest and really only a full ride at my safeties would come out cheaper but that’s not likely.
@class0f2017
I would avoid applying ED to a school you have not visited yet. I’m sure they would give you great FA, but so would many other schools. EA is a good option.
Your scores are good but unfortunately your demographics are against you.
@newjerseygirl98 had some good suggestions; I’d look further into those.
Is Tufts actually good for finance? I thought Tufts was more liberal arts focused than something preprofessional like finance.
Economics is actually the second most popular major at Tuffs.
@SonofAbraham I am visiting early in the fall. If I end up really liking it would it still be a bad idea? Not sure how many schools could beat Duke’s FA.
@newjerseygir98 Wow I didn’t know that. Not sure about Vandy and Princeton but I am seriously considering UVA and UNC. I’m hesitant about UVA though because you get accepted into business later which could be really risky. Will need to visit both too. I like Duke so far on paper but of course need to visit there too but everything seems perfect about it so far. Have to look into Tufts more too.
bump
Anymore thoughts on if Duke ED would be a bad idea if I still really like it after a visit?