Lots of Questions About My Chances at the DC Schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>White male
Lower Middle Class (EFC is going to be just about $1,000)
Junior at a small, VERY high ranked, relatively (to the rest of the area) wealthy public school in a rural PA college town.</p>

<p>Background/Grades:
I spent freshman year at a large, but high ranked, public school in another state. They calculated GPA on the 4.0 scale and I had all As and a GPA just above 4.0 because of an honors weight. My new school calculates on a 100 point scale. Sophomore year I had a disgusting 93 (a B in the upper level, but not weighted at that point in time, Bio course and a high C in Latin [juggling Spanish and Latin for a self described "sucks at learning languages" student during a hectic post-move soph year wasn't fun] brought me down). It's the end of first semester Junior year and I have all As with a 98 GPA, but I'm going to need it as I don't know how Freshman year is going to be used for calculating class rank (guidance, with their super secret guidance people double speak, said it would be used to "estimate") and Soph year's numbers won't cut it. A conservative estimate at this point regarding class rank would be anywhere in the top third, but I really don't have any idea where I'll end up. I plan on taking 4 APs Senior year (AP English, AP Bio, AP Econ, and AP Gov) with that generous AP weight that I'm only enjoying in one class this year (AP US History). Like I said, it's a small school, and outside of art/music classes, US History is the only AP offered to Juniors who aren't crazy accelerated in math or science.</p>

<p>SATs (I took them in October to take advantage of the prep I did over the summer--I plan on retaking in June):
690 CR (I want to get this to 720 2nd time around, but I hate speculating when it comes to test scores, so let's assume that's where I'm staying)
650 Math (I had a 66 on the PSAT math that I took a few weeks later and I think I'll get even higher once I finish Trig, which I'm in this year)
700 Writing (69 MC and 9 on the essay, which I knew was bad the minute I read it back online and I know I can do much better)</p>

<p>ECs (I'll keep it brief):
Very heavy on Speech and Debate
NHS invites go out soon (our school does it 2nd semester jr. year and you're in it till you graduate as long as you keep your grades up) and my numbers are above the benchmark to get one according the student handbook, so I'll be doing that
120+ hours (?--haven't been keeping track thoroughly) community service through Red Cross, nursing home, and Church from 8th grade to current
3 clubs
Three People to People trips in middle school, not sure how that's relevant to the process, but the cultural experiences and fund raising experiences will make for good essay topics.
TONS of volunteer work during campaign season. Worked countless hours at the local party HQ and out in the field for Presidential campaign, House campaign in very swing-ish CD, AG campaign, State House campaign, and did phone banking for Congressional campaigns in other districts. I plan on doing even more come 2010 midterms as we have a tight Senate race brewing here in PA.
Part time job</p>

<p>Now for the good stuff, my annoying questions:
I really, really, really want to go to school in DC and Georgetown is looking like a no-go for someone with my stats. That leaves GW, American, and (since I am a confirmed Catholic) Catholic. GW seems great and I love the idea of an urban campus, non traditional college experience. But I want to know I'll be able to cover the costs without going into astronomical debt (I understand debt is probably inevitable, I'd just like to keep it from going out of control). American is a strong second choice for me. The costs seem to be a little better. So, what are my chances for GW both RD and ED? How about American RD? Would applying ED to GW hurt me financial aid wise outside of not being able to compare packages with American and Catholic? How strong is need based (you saw my EFC) financial aid at GW? Would I qualify for any merit aid at GW? Is need based financial aid at American any better/worse? Would I qualify for significant merit aid at American? Would I be able to get a full ride/close to it at Catholic (the only reason I would see myself choosing Catholic over the other two)? For the GW and American people--I like having fun, but I don't drink or do drugs (I know, I'm pretty lame), so I'm not so worried about the "scene" (I'm more excited about getting a cool internship...I'm a geek) but I do know that if all goes according to plan and I get into GW with decent FA, I'm NOT requesting Thurston (LOL). But, seriously, is Thurston that bad? Is it really a dorm full of 1,000 drunken freshman diving over the free condom bowl while trying not to get sent to the hospital by public safety? It's got a pretty bad rep. What are the best dorms in Foggy Bottom for Freshman outside of Thurston (and I'd like to not end up at Mount Vernon)?</p>

<p>Anyway, what are your suggestions about how to approach the college admissions process? I'm sorry for the long post and the fact that I'm posing this on the GW, AU, and CUA threads, but I'm really interested to hear what other people have to say about the process. I'm really just starting the whole thing and haven't even done visits yet (I will check out all three one week this Spring, though). Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>Is it possible for someone to chance me based on what I've given?</p>

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<p>I'm bumping this up.</p>

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<h2>bump</h2>

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<p>ok so what was your final gpa, on a 4.0 scale, weighted + unweighted? you can probably get into catholic, from what i see so far as long as your gpa is above 3.2 or so.</p>

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<p>IMO, with your EFC you absolutely can not apply to any of these schools ED. None are known for being generous with aid or meeting full need. You not only need to compare packages but none of these schools may offer you an acceptable one.</p>

<p>Having a low EFC makes private colleges that don't meet need tough. Your stats are approaching those needed for one of the generous need blind schools. </p>

<p>Unless you love your state flagship you will also need to apply to privates where they either meet full need or where your stats are high enough for merit aid too so that you have financial safeties.</p>

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<p>I would say that you have a good shot at GWU (apply ED if you can) and American (apply RD because its easier)</p>

<p>Chance meeeee back at <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/645152-these-colleges-reach-me.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/645152-these-colleges-reach-me.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>
[Quote]
ok so what was your final gpa, on a 4.0 scale, weighted + unweighted?

[/Quote]
</p>

<h2>My new school only does it on a weighted 100 point scale. That's going to be somewhere in the 97-98 range as I'm taking a ton of weighted APs next year (the top grade is a 120/100). My frosh year GPA at the old school was 4.0 UW/4.37 W (give or take a few on the W). I suppose I COULD find an UW GPA by adding up my grades from all 4 years on my own, but what good would that do (that isn't the number admissions officers are going to see anyway)?</h2>

<p>hmom...
I understand your point about making sure I'm good with finaid, but GW gives out the most financial aid in the country (it better with that tuition!) and met 91% of need last year w/o a lot of loans, so it isn't like I'm applying to NYU. If I get gapped a few grand, so be it. I have extended family with perfect credit that would be glad to cosign with me on a loan. A little bit of debt is worth the greater advantage I would have with a GW education over a State School education (where I would still go into a little debt).
All that said, I'm also looking at Tulane (and some other privates that meet need well), which meets 100% of need w/o loans and has non-restrictive early action.</p>

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<p>I did this for another thread, but wanted to make the point here as well. The total cost of GWU to me (using average need met and other data from the College Board website) was comparable to the two state schools I would consider.</p>

<p>I. My EFC=$1500 (give or take a little)</p>

<p>II. GWU Sticker Price=$53,407</p>

<p>III. Penn State U Park Sticker Price=$26,600</p>

<p>IV. Pitt Sticker Price=$22,242</p>

<p>V. GWU Need Met (75% free $$$, 25% loans)=91%</p>

<p>VI. Penn State U Park Need Met (40% free $$$, 60% loans)=65%</p>

<p>VII. Pitt Need Met (41% free $$$, 59% loans)=82%</p>

<p>VIII. GWU Debt (including $$$ from jobs) from FinAid plus Gap Debt plus EFC (assuming parents pay nothing)=$17,979</p>

<p>IX. Penn State U Park Debt (including $$$ from jobs) from FinAid plus Gap Debt plus EFC (assuming parents pay nothing)=$20,074</p>

<p>X. Pitt Debt (including $$$ from jobs) from FinAid plus Gap Debt plus EFC (assuming parents pay nothing)=$15,268</p>

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<p>Where did you hear that GW gave out the most aid in the Country? Can you give a link to this info?</p>

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<p>I'll correct myself, it's need based financial aid where GW beats out the rest. Keep in mind, they also sport one of the highest sticker prices in the country.
U.S</a>. News: GW leads in financial aid - News
As for the percentage average need met, check out the College Board:
College</a> Search - George Washington University - GW - Cost & Financial Aid</p>

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<p>While perhaps their package is highest, the issue is that 25% of the aid they give is in the form of loans and work study. Meeting on average 91% of need on average, gaping 9% is enough to make the school unaffordable for many. I would want to compare packages, a combination of being gaped (don't forget 91% is average, with endowments down you may well get less) plus getting 25% in loans and work study could be unattractive to say the least.</p>

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<p>I realize that, but what exactly do you recommend where I won't be taking out loans? You suggested state schools, but I've shown that those options aren't any better.</p>

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<p>IMO you need to apply widely and compare packages. Say GW gaps you 10%, gives you a Stafford loan and a Perkins. For freshmen year that would mean borrowing over $10K, and it will go up every year. Then say because of endowment losses they gap 20% next year. You could easily end up with $60K in loans before all is said and done. Wouldn't want to see my kids in that position!</p>

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<p>ED may not be the best option. I want to apply to Catholic. I think I can get significant merit aid.</p>