Need Big Help in Finding Matches

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hispanic male senior in a very large public school in NY</p>

<p>GPA UW: 94-95% I believe
Class rank: Top 1% in school. </p>

<p>In high school I have only taken honors and AP courses. I did 3 APs Junior year (APUSH[4] Lang[4] and Chem). Will have a total of 8 APs when I graduate with me taking Gov, Lit, Calc, Environmental, and Studio Art 2d. </p>

<p>EC:
JV (9,10) & Varsity Tennis (11,12)
Varsity Golf (9,10)
Varsity Swimming (11,12)
Student Government (9,10,11,12): elected Executive board officer and Historian Senior Year
National Honor Society (9,10,11,12): elected Secretary Senior Yeae
Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam (10,11,12)
Garcia Summer Research Program (Summer before 11 and 12)
Do Research and Stony Brook throughout the school year
Tutor</p>

<p>Awards:
Departmental awards in my High School in English, Science, Art
LISC Honorable Mention in 2009
LISEF Best Material Science Project 2010
Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Award 2010
Stockholm Junior Water Prize State Winner 2010
I-SWEEEP 2010 Finalist and Bronze Medal Winner
Rensselaer Medal Award Merit Scholarship </p>

<p>ACT: 27
SAT: 1800
SAT II: US History-670 Chemistry-620</p>

<p>Throughout high school, I have worked to the best of my ability with resources that were given to me. I live in a low-income area where main goal that are driven into our heads is to graduate high school and pass the state tests. My standardized test scores are below average for the top schools, but I feel like I worked my butt off throughout high school. Even if I would have to work ten times harder than everyone else in a top school, I would gladly do it. My dream school is Columbia and I am applying early decision. I want to believe I can get it, but I can't just put my eggs in one basket and hope for the best. I'm trying to look for schools that are a match for me, but my scores are making it hard for me to choose a school. I want to either major in environmental or political science. Financial aid is a big factor. Can someone please help me put a list together of schools that will be a match for me that gives good financial aid? I would greatly be appreciative. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>I would look at the SAT optional schools like Bowdoin, Bates and Colby. Unfortunately very different environments than Columbia, but very good schools with very good aid.</p>

3

<p>Your chances of getting into Columbia with those scores are EXTREMELY low. I’m not sure I would spend my ED on that school.</p>

4

<p>Columbia is not a likely scenario. Being a URM might help, but I would imagine that being in NY, Columbia gets many Hispanic applicants with higher stats. </p>

<p>You can try, but it’s unlikely</p>

<p>It sounds like you might be low-income, so perhaps some of the attraction to Columbia is its great aid. I can understand that. </p>

<p>A low income student with good-but-not-top stats is going to have to carefully select schools that will be affordable…either because of assured merit scholarships or assured fed and state aid.</p>

<p>Since you are a NY resident, you need to find a few SUNY’s to apply to that you’d like. With state and fed grant money, your costs may be covered.</p>

<p>There may also be some LACs that would be extra generous to a male URM. </p>

<p>Do you know what your family’s likely EFC will be?</p>

5

<p>Thanks Redroses, I’ll look into those schools.</p>

<p>I understand that Columbia is a big risk, but doesn’t my ec’s and awards show that I am still smart lol? I feel like the answer is no, but hey, I am 600 points above the SAT average and 9 points higher than the ACT average in my school. Does that make a difference? A student in my school got in with higher stats (700 on two sat IIs and a 31 ACT) but with not as much ECs and awards. I’m retaking my subject tests and my ACT so hopefully they will increase. </p>

<p>And to mom2collegekids: sorry but what is EFC?</p>

6

<p>EFC = Expected Family Contribution. It is a measure of how much income your family makes/has that schools can tap on. Run a FAFSA forecaster to check. It is the LEAST you can expect to pay. SAT optional schools are a good idea. [Optional</a> List | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]Optional”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest) If you have high need (a very low EFC) then also look for colleges that meet full need.</p>

7

<p>What is it about Columbia that you like so much? Defining that will help figure out what other schools for you to look at.</p>

<p>Personally, I think that you should apply to both a few universities and a few LACs, and then see what your options are in the spring. I like the idea of you looking at LACs for two reasons: 1) I think your personal profile will make you attractive despite your scores; 2) college is a time for exploring new things and the small campus community (and likely rural) will be a big change from your current high school.</p>

<p>Also, do you want to stay in the northeast?</p>

<p>In terms of universities, Brandeis is one that jumps to mind immediately to me. I don’t know that much about universities (we looked mainly at LACs and some mid-sized unis) to suggest others, but I’m sure many on this board will!</p>

<p>You are headed to great things. Schools really look for students that made the most of what was available within their environment and you have clearly done that!</p>

8

<p>Being a URM might help you in some schools in the midwest for example, maybe you should check out Grinnell, Carleton, Macalester, Oberlin, and College of Wooster.</p>

9

<p>If I were an adcom, I would take you, because someone like you can do the work at any school. </p>

<p>But, I’m not an adcom, just someone who has taught for 30+ years, and most of that w/URMs.</p>

<p>Is Columbia really getting away? I say that you will have great success if you are willing to expand your geographic area. Hispanic males with your credentials are not a dime a dozen in some areas.</p>

<p>Also, if you go to the College Admissions portion of this site, you will see at the top several sub forums, one of which is for Hispanic students. You will find it to be a wonderful resource.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you.</p>

10

<p>Your test scores are inconsistent with your level of academic and EC achievement: Since two 4s on the APs suggest that your school is at least somewhat rigorous and you test pretty well, I assume that you didn’t practice much before your SATs and ACT. This is going to have a significant impact on where you can apply, how much financial aid you will get, and your ability to garner scholarships (of which there are a significant number for hispanics). Consider practicing and retaking the SATs.</p>

<p>If you could crack a 2000, you would potentially be competitive at most schools in the country, and eligible for significant financial aid.</p>

<p>If that isn’t an option, consider a LAC (liberal arts college), where you are likely to get a lot of personal attention from faculty, have smaller classes, quickly develop a community, and potentially receive significant financial aid. The midwestern LACs mentioned above are possibilities. Vassar is generally more forgiving of guys with lower test scores to address their gender imbalance. Bates and Bowdoin, mentioned above, are SAT optional but I’m not sure how generous with financial aid. (Bowdoin, in particular, has an excellent environment sciences dept.)</p>

11

<p>Erin’s Dad: Thanks, I definitely check that out.</p>

<p>SDonCC: The location it is in with a campus really drew me to first look into it. I loved the campus when I stepped into it. The core curriculum and the ability to participate in a wide range of classes without it hurting you really appealed to me, too. The wide range of internships that are available in the city are limitless which made love it even more. Also, I love the diversity. I come from a school where 85% are minorities, and (i don’t know exactly why, but) it brings comfort to me. I would really like a school with diversity, but I would not overlook schools without it. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t mind leaving the Northeast. Anywhere in the nation is good for me, if there is something to do around the area.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>gloworm: Thanks, I wish you were an adcom!</p>

<p>Yea, I actually thought about that. I really love Columbia, but I wouldn’t mind going farther. My parents however want me to stay as close as possible (they are moderately okay with me leaving the state, but staying in the Northeast). My sister also made me take in consideration that it would cost a lot of money we don’t have to come back from school during breaks that we don’t have. </p>

<p>Thanks so much, I definitely look at that.</p>

<p>M’s Mom: My school does not focus on the SAT or ACT. The only reason why I believe I got the 4s were because those teachers put in a lot of effort in teaching us. But even with those few teachers, our average AP score is a 2. I’m going to retake my ACT and SAT IIs this fall, and most likely the SAT as well. </p>

<p>I would love to get a 2000. I wanna believe it, and I hate setting cutting myself short, but I am really doubtful with that. Only two people out of roughly 1000 students in my grade scored above that. I am hoping retaking the ACT will bring me to a score that is equivalent to a 2000 or higher. </p>

<p>Thanks, I’m going to look into Bates and Bowdoin. Do you know if their politics are departments good as well?</p>

12

<p>*My sister also made me take in consideration that it would cost a lot of money we don’t have to come back from school during breaks that we don’t have. *</p>

<p>You need to find out what your likely EFC will be… Use AGI income…not “after tax” income. </p>

<p>[FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator - Finaid) </p>

<p>If you have an EFC that is not affordable, then you need to carefully pick out schools that will give you big merit. </p>

<p>How much will your family contribute each year?</p>

13

<p>Thanks mom2collegekids. I’m not actually sure. They will contribute as much as they can they say, but they never said an estimate. I’ll talk to them today and hopefully get an actual answer this time.</p>

14

<p>Connecticut College (CT)
Wheaton College (MA)
UCONN (CT)
St. Lawrence University (NY)
Alfred University (NY)
Syracuse University (NY)
West Virginia University (WV)
Sarah Lawrence College (NY) </p>

<p>Try & find schools which really need more diversity which = more Financial Aid.</p>

15

<p>*I’m not actually sure. They will contribute as much as they can they say, but they never said an estimate. I’ll talk to them today and hopefully get an actual answer this time. [/I</p>

<p>Good idea. With that info and with learning what your likely EFC is, you’ll know which schools you should and shouldn’t apply to.</p>

16

<p>Unfortunately I won’t be able to figure out my EFC soon. My mom’s accountant has lost her’s and several others’ information so it’ll be a few weeks I guess until I find that information out. If I had to take a logical guess, my EFC will be 0 or barely none. With that in mind, what am I restricted to?</p>

17

<p>???</p>

<p>Are you saying that your mom has a very low income but she has an accountant???</p>

<p>You really don’t need any info from an accountant. Doesn’t your mom know what her approximate income/assets are?</p>

18

<p>That doesn’t make sense.</p>

<p>OP, do you really expect FA? or Merit Aid??</p>

19

<p>The accountant is a family friend so she doesn’t charge. And she said the EFC calculator asked her questions that were on her W2s and other forms she doesn’t have. </p>

<p>And I expect financial aid, but either would be welcomed.</p>

20

<p>have you looked into Questbridge to see if this is something you can do?</p>

<p>check out the subforum on the financial aid forum here.</p>