Hm okay thank you. My school doesn’t offer APs. Each grade has a set curriculum that everyone has to take. However, that set curriculum is basically the same as the AP’s. They’re like unofficial AP courses. So I’m thinking of takings some AP exams when I finish this year. That will help
Thank you! I only had 3 places left on my common app so was seeing which colleges would be better for me. But I just submitted the UofArizona application now. I can still apply using Coalition or directly to the university but my counselor doesn’t really know much about the US college stuff and it took a while to get her to be able to do the stuff for the common app and don’t think she’ll be able to do it all over again in time. I told her though and finished the stuff on my end so we’ll see what happens.
These are the other colleges I’m thinking about. Which do y’all think I should prioritize applying to? I’m thinking of the top 4. Bottom 4 don’t have the best aid I think but correct me if I’m wrong.
university of Texas at Dallas
Indiana University Bloomington(may not have space so not sure if I should waste a space on the common app for it)
Michigan State
Oregon State
North Dakota State University
California University of Pennsylvania
University of Iowa
South Carolina State University
I’m mainly just ranking according to financial aid and their CS program. Would prioritize aid over academics though.
Some of these schools have their own apps too, in case you max out the common app. South Carolina State is an HBCU (historically black college), not sure if that appeals to you or not.
I would also apply to Arizona State ASAP, you may get more merit there than at U Arizona. Important Deadlines | Your Future | Arizona State University
I don’t know that some of those publics are going to get to $25K all in for you…IU, Mich State, OSU, Iowa, UT Dallas. You could get merit at those schools but it may not be enough. The rest may work if their COAs start low enough. U Utah may still be accepting apps…you have to call and ask. The downside is if they accept your app, they likely won’t give you an answer until late May. You might also look at Southern Ill-Edwardsville. About 25 mins outside of St. Louis. Should be affordable.
Also look here: College Openings Update - National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
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Look into CLEP exams instead. AP exams are only offered once a year in May, and I think even late resigration is closed for 2022. Both are through the College Board.
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I was wondering exactly this. Is there a reason the OP isn’t considering privates where there may be a better chance for more aid? Of course, many deadlines have long passed so that would have to be checked.
I wouldn’t bother with CALU (California University of Pennsylvania). Although it will probably be affordable, it isn’t nearly as strong academically as Arizona, Arizona State, or most of the others on your list. I think you should check with any schools you are considering, before you spend time and money on applications, to make sure that they are still accepting applications for fall 2022 and that financial aid is available. I agree that some of the private colleges on the NACAC list are more likely to give you the financial aid you need than most of the public schools (Arizona and Arizona State are exceptions).
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I already applied to ASU. Got in with a merit scholarship so will be around 20K now. Most affordable option currently but as I said our budget is about 15K so still not that affordable for us.
Will look at CLEP instead of APs ,thank you.
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Privates would be more affordable yes but haven’t found one(with applications still open)good with CS and aid. Will keep looking into that as well
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I don’t know that any of the private schools (mostly LACs) on that list (with CS that would be as good as ASU, Uof A, SIU-E) will get to $25K. There may be some though as the list is 300+ schools and I’m not familiar with all.
Most non-selective schools are still taking apps, even if they aren’t on the NACAC list. As I said above, most LACS still taking apps may not have as strong CS depts as some schools already on your list that may work (ASU, U of A, SIU-E, even NDSU).
Paging @myos1634 for additional ideas.
Does the $15K budget include the $5.5K student loan? And my apologies I thought your budget was $25K.
Does this $20,000 net cost include the $5500 Direct Loan you can take as a freshman?
You might want to check University of New Mexico. I’m not sure we know your stats. But UNM offers good guaranteed merit…but I don’t know if you have missed the deadline or if you qualify.
No, they gave me around 24.3K total in aid. That includes the federal pell grant, direct loans and that provost’s award. ASU is about 50K for out of state. As I said my family’s budget is about 15K. 15K not including the personal stuff, transportation and books. So if we subtract that stuff, the cost of ASU will be around 45K, if we subtract the 25K aid it’ll be around 20K
I just searched UNM it said the deadline is May 1st so will look into it as well. Thank you!
How much is the Pell grant that ASU is showing? Will you be able to work this summer to earn $ for the personal costs/transportation?
Pell grant from everyone so far is about the same. About 6800K. I’m in Egypt right now so if I work here will make like 2 dollars a day or sth. Can look for jobs online tho. I’m attending some programs during the summer but they themselves are online so I can try to squeeze in some time for work. The personal costs stuff aren’t a problem rn though. But ofc work would help for the other stuff
It would help us all if you posted your stats….GPA, and SAT or ACT if you took it. We are giving you suggestions but don’t really know what level of merit you might be eligible for.
GPA: 4.0
No SAT available in Egypt bec of Covid
Ranked 1st in class for past 6 years
Founder of non-profit giving children in Egypt classes for all sorts of subjects.
Founder of book club. I love reading!
Director in non-profit that hosts workshops, competitions etc in CS
Ofc other than that I have volunteered and played volleyball and stuff like that. Also mentioned that my mom has arthritis so I’m kinda in charge of the house stuff.
I guess now looking at them, my stats aren’t the best. No national awards or something like that. I was in Egypt though so they should be comparing to people there, not the US right?