I’m a rising senior working on her college list, which currently feels very unbalanced. I have a lot of reach schools in mind and multiple nearby safety schools to consider, but I don’t have many colleges yet that feel like a good match for what I have to offer. I’ll try to keep this post very short and to the point, so I’ll do the rest in bullet points. If you have any college suggestions based on the below information, I would be very grateful to hear your input!
My stats:
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.2
APs: 6 total (3 of them already completed and exams passed)
ECs generic overview: extensive involvement and leadership positions in 4 different performing arts programs, as well as NHS, student government, and volunteer work
ACT: 31 (considering retaking this fall to achieve my goal score of 32-33, but I’m still undecided)
What I’m looking for in a college:
MIDSIZE is very important to me! The range between 5,000-10,000 would be perfect, give or take a little)
colleges in the Midwest area are much preferred, though I’m open to any suggestions
my family is middle-class and schools’ generosity with financial aid will be a big factor in my college decision. If you can speak at all on merit or need-based scholarship opportunities at a given school, that would be very helpful!
If you have any suggestions of schools that sound like a good “match” for me, please let me know! Thank you for your time
my family is middle-class and schools’ generosity with financial aid will be a big factor in my college decision. If you can speak at all on merit or need-based scholarship opportunities at a given school, that would be very helpful!
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Have you asked your parents how much they’ll pay?
How “generous” does the school have to be? What “net cost” will your parents pay? Ask them so you’ll know.
What is your major and career goal?
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multiple nearby safety schools
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How much do those schools cost? Will your parents pay for the entire costs? If not, how will those schools get paid for? For a school to be a safety, you have to know FOR SURE THAT ALL costs are covered.
I used the site colllegedata.com and for the search put in 1) Plains for region, 2) 5k-10k size, 3) 70% Freshman satisfaction, 4) 70% financial aid met, 5) 50% receive merit aid, and 6) Moderately Difficult & Very Difficult for entrance difficulty. The search gave me: Linwood University, Truman State, University of Nebraska - Kearney, University of South Dakota.
OP mid size and does it matter if it is in a city or more rural? What state are you from? Do you/your parents want you to attend school within a certain geographic range if possible?
It may be that your family will have enough to pay room and board - then you need to see where you can get great merit.
I agree about taking ACT again (or are you good on SAT)?
You need to run NPC on various schools where you think will fit things like what you want to study/career goals. Also looking at likelihood of merit.
If you answer some of these questions, you may have more helpful information given back to you.
I know a few students that have not been happy at the school they started at - a few switched to other schools, and a few switched to local university (with some living at home and some living on campus). The big problem with that is that they walked away from the merit given at their initial school.
The better you research, visit, and make informed decisions along the way, they better options you will have when you need to make the decision at the end of senior year.
I know students that have been reluctant to visit a campus, and then they set foot on the campus and loved it.
The ideas you have now, and what you think at the end of your senior year may be totally different.