my parents think I'm better than I am

<p>what is your race?</p>

<p>The lower your income, the more incentive to apply to high-ranking schools, since they offer the best financial aid.</p>

<p>yeah i think that's their reasoning as well. and i'm white. thanks everyone for all the input!</p>

<p>Nothing ventured nothing gained. Are you low income, or are your parents just in an employment rut? If it's the former, I'd suggest Questbridge. Lots of fee waivers, and enhances chances of acceptance to some really nice schools with significant FA if you make it past the early rounds. Your stats put you in the neighborhood, if not the ballpark.
Good Luck</p>

<p>well my dad retired a few years ago (he's 68 now). He has a pretty nice retirement fund, but he and my mom have to live the rest of their lives on it. Also, my brother and I will be entering college the same year so that makes things a bit more complicated. Questbridge has sent me a lot of emails, and I thought it looked pretty good but my guidance counselor is convinced it's a scam and says I should just apply EA to Georgetown and Boston College. It's really tricky because my guidance counselors don't really know how to handle someone who wants to go to a better school. Do you think it would be better to apply through Questbridge instead of applying EA to Georgetown and BC (georgetown is my first choice I think, although I am a little put off by the rich/preppy student body, but I heard it's diverse enough for everyone to find their niche)? thanks again everyone</p>

<p>Quesbridge is not a scam! You need to do a search on it here, there are lots and lots of threads about it.</p>

<p>Questbridge is AMAAAAZING, I wish I had known about it when I was a junior! It's a really good idea for lower income students- look it up!</p>

<p>I got into my Ivy of choice with what I (and my parents) thought
what was an abysmal 3.86 (and no I'm not URM) </p>

<p>It's possible ;)</p>

<p>Questbridge is amazing. I do not know if there would be any reason why you could not also apply to non-Questbridge programs either under early action or rolling admission. Read through their website carefully.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>