<p>so im hoping some godly person can help me right now...i have a long story. mid last year my parents got divorced and a month or two later my mom, who i lived with, was diagnosed with cancer, and earlier this month passed away. she was the one who knew everything about colleges and applying. my dad, though he tries, isnt much help. so now i'm basically on my own with this whole college ordeal. and i consider myself a good student. 4.0 all honors ap's the whole thing. but obviously last year, which was my junior year, was screwed up. grades went down...not a lot. from like a 97 to a 93-94 averge. i took the sat's last october and got 1950. i know to take them again this fall, and i know some of the colleges i want to apply too, but i dont know what else to do. should i take the act's? should i take sat II's? do i start applications now? if this helps at all i know the schools i want to apply too...i know most are reach but. i'd love to get into the best school possible. my mom would love it. thanks to anyone who has any input.</p>
<p>i would like to apply to:</p>
<p>Villanova
Upenn
Boston College
Boston University
NYU
Northeastern
Drexel ?</p>
<p>obviously need more safety schools...looking for a business/marketing major. and for schools in the philadelphia/boston/ny city area.</p>
<p>Ah, Bazooka, I’m so sorry for your loss. </p>
<p>Several of the schools on your list are not reaches; they are matches. This is the way I see it (other opinions may differ):</p>
<p>Reach:
Upenn
Boston College</p>
<p>Academic match (low rate of acceptance/under 50% admitted):
Villanova
Northeastern
NYU</p>
<p>Academic match (higher rate of acceptance/over 50% admitted)
BU
Drexel </p>
<p>Your SATs are very good, but, yes, take the ACTs. It can’t hurt, and you may even do better and it may make you more eligible for scholarships.</p>
<p>If you haven’t talked to your dad about finances, you need to soon. There are no financial safeties on your list, and you may need one. Maybe find a SUNY close to the city.</p>
<p>Now for other suggestions:
Emerson in Boston might be fun, if you are interested in working on the business side of the Arts (low rate of acceptance)
Fordham in NY(higher rate of acceptance)
Pace in NY (I’d call this a safety for you)
Temple in Philadelphia (higher rate of acceptance)</p>
<p>Your parents getting divorced and your mother contracting cancer only got you down to a 93% – that’s pretty impressive. Hopefully you’ll be able to raise that SAT score a little bit, because it might make your reaches a bit easier. Knowing your ECs would be very beneficial, that will make a big difference as well. I would suggest adding maybe 2 reaches, since you have a good shot at them. I would say Drexel is definitely a safety, I don’t know ANYONE who’s been rejected, almost everyone I know has lower stats than yours and turned them down for a better school. Maybe add 1 safety to the list, preferably a rolling admissions school just so you’re secure. Good Luck!</p>
<p>thanks guys. now what about sat II’s? are like. the sat’s and the act’s and the sat II’s all in the same day? whens like the latest i can take them and still send them to colleges?</p>
<p>No, you take SATs and ACTs on different days, and you can’t take SATs and SATIIs on the same day. So, that’s three Saturday mornings in the testing room!</p>
<p>You could possibly take the January SAT date and still get the scores in, I would advise that you take it by the December 5th date, or earlier. The ACT has a December 12 test date. </p>
<p>Also, Take a look at Babson College (near Boston), and Bryant University in Rhode Island (near Providence).</p>
<p>My condolences to you on your loss.</p>
<p>Have you talked yet with your father about how much he feels he can afford to pay each year for your college? Also run your info through the EFC calculators. Even if you dad says, “Don’t worry about cost,” pin him down because many parents have no idea how much college costs, and really can’t afford the high price of college that they may have to pay even with financial aid.</p>
<p>FYI: NYU is notoriously stingy with financial aid. If finances are a concern, you may wish to apply elsewhere.</p>
<p>1) Talk to dad about money and what he can afford. Maybe add an in-state public to your list.</p>
<p>2) I would concentrate on SAT and the subject tests. Your score is good, but could be better, especially when looking at Penn, which requires two subject tests with the SAT. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try the ACT. Maybe do a practice test and see how you fare before committing the time to self-study for the test date.</p>
<p>3) Register for those tests ASAP. Word is that test centers are filling up. Here are the dates: [SAT</a> Dates - SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines](<a href=“http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees.html]SAT”>SAT Dates and Deadlines – SAT Suite | College Board)</p>
<p>4) I didn’t look up the other colleges on your list, but for Penn it appears you need two subject tests. Some colleges require three. You can only take three subject tests in one day (that’s prety grueling, btw). You’ll need to investigate whether the schools require certain tests. If so, sign up for those.</p>
<p>5) Find an advocate on campus or elsewhere who can help you.</p>
<p>My best wishes for your college search and my condolences for the loss of your mom. (((HUGS)))</p>
<p>thanks everyone. and about cost. my mom left a pretty good amount of money for us, and were using it for college for me and my sister. so its not to much of a concern but cheaper wouldnt hurt</p>