<p>Being an Arkansan, my only in-state college worth considering is the U of A. While a good school, I'm looking for something a little more academically focused, with a more varied type of atmosphere.</p>
<p>My problem is, with the exception of the U of A, I must pick between a VERY expensive private school, such as Vanderbilt, or an equally expensive public university, such as NYU or William and Mary. Even if I am accepted to these colleges, they are too expensive to afford! So I'm thinking that public universities will generally offer more money more generously? </p>
<p>At the U of A, there are set amounts of money that can be awarded for certain scores. I'm having trouble finding the same concrete info at other schools, though. I guess that other public schools are less direct in explaining how much money they award for what?</p>
<p>Look for schools that will give you merit scholarships. If you can't get financial aid, and don't want to pay the sticker price, look for merit. The majority of scholarships that a student will get will come directly from the school. Search interested schools websites, even ones where your stats will put you above the top 25% mark.</p>
<p>Have taken all honors classes in high school. Honors: Bio, Chem, Pre-AP Eng. (x2).</p>
<p>Next year's schedule:
AP Calc AB
AP Bio
AP Lang.
Art 3
French IV</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0</p>
<p>Honors/Activities, etc.:
Foreign Language Club: Secretary
Model U.N.: Most Honorable Delegation Member
NHS
Beta Club
Governor's School Nominee
Boys' State Nominee
Oxbridge Union Member (like a Scholar's Society)
Student Anthology: Editor
National French Exam lv. 3: 16th in State
Medical Program @ local Univ. Hospital Summer 06</p>
<p>Sports:
Varsity Tennis 4 years
Varsity Track 1 year</p>
<p>EC's:
Volunteering: 40+ hours
Active in Youth Group
Published Author</p>
<p>Tests:
ACT: 29 (30 Superscored)
SAT: Too low to display (lol I haven't taken since last summer, will take again this fall.)
PSAT: 199</p>
<p>You may have to face up to the cost to go elsewhere or try to up your scores. Don't get me wrong, they're good but not give you money good. Your scores would probably get you into alot of places, just not alot of money. In the west, the states have an exchange program at participating schools called the western exchange program that reduces out of state tuition amongst the schools.. Does Ark have an agreement with any other states?</p>
<p>"So I'm thinking that public universities will generally offer more money more generously?"</p>
<p>To the contrary, you will find public universities usually do not offer much in merit aid and many can also be short on need based and if you do not find information on their site, you should assume there is little to get rather than they are being less direct. Many privates (but none of your elites) offer fairly decent merit aid which is usually some portion of the total tuition cost (but not room & board except for the exceptional few). There are a number of private universities where a 4.0 GPA and 29 ACT might get you some tuition merit aid, possibly up to half, e.g., Bradley, DePauw, Oglethorpe, but a higher ACT or SAT would definitely help.</p>
<p>I also think that you'll have a better chance of admission and merit aid or decent financial aid if you look at the second tier private LACs and colleges on the US News List. Even with coming from an underrepresented state, your stats seem low for the colleges that you're considering. You may slip in, but I doubt you'd get merit aid. Out of state public universities aren't likely to give you much aid because they reserve aid for their in-state students.</p>
<p>There are places, however, that probably would welcome you and give you merit aid.</p>
<p>Have you considered Hendrix in your own state? I've heard good things about it here on CC. I think some people here also have gotten nice merit aid from it, too.</p>
<p>Also do more research on colleges in general. For instance, buy a book like the U.S. News guide. Such guides provide excellent info about specific colleges and about financial aid and applications. Incidentally, NYU is a private university. William and Mary is public.</p>
<p>Check out the merit aid info pinned to the top of the Parent's Forum here.</p>
<p>Try the college confidential EFC calculator. I was surprised to find that I qualified for aid, actually, a substansial amount (too bad i'm going to a school that doesn't help me with it). </p>
<p>Yes I've already bought the U.S. News & World Report College Guide, and I have not considered Hendrix because of its outlandishly liberal reputation. Plus it's too close!</p>