Please help me pick schools! :)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a Junior </p>

<p>Looking to go to: George Washington, BC, BU, American(as a sort of safety?), UChicago (reach? I know their acceptance is pretty random due to the "uncommon application)</p>

<p>Stats: </p>

<p>GPA: ~3.5 unweighted, ~4.0 weighted, these will hopefully be a bit higher by the end of first semester Senior year.
PSAT: 130 on Math and Verbal overall, 66 on verbal, 64 on math (This was kind of rushed though, only taken for AP Lang as an assignment)
ACT: Taking in June
SAT: Taking in June </p>

<p>Classes this year:
AP Psychology (A's)
AP US History (A's)
AP English Language & Comp. (A's)
Precalculus Honors (C's - ouch)
Physics Honors (A's and B's)
Debate VI Honors (A's)
Government Honors (A's) </p>

<p>Extra-Curric: </p>

<p>Debate Team (~325 NFL Points...for those who know what those are), this is my passion, I've competed in 5 different event categories as well, and placed in 3 of them (Student Congres, Oral Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Public Forum, Policy)
President of Debate
VP of Law Club
Mock Trial Team
Social Studies Honor Society
JETS </p>

<p>Community Service: Look to be a Counselor at local summer camp, should get ~100 Hours
Work: Public Library (20 Hours/Week)</p>

<p>Lineage: Cornell(Great Uncle), Georgetown(Grandfather and Uncle), Penn State(Great Uncle - head of Gerantology) </p>

<p>Background: Single-Parent Home, Dad pays no child support, etc. Roman Catholic, Irish-Italian, Public School in Florida </p>

<p>Looking to major: Poli. Sci., Government, Political Media
Minor: Journalism/Psych </p>

<p>Courses for Senior year:
AP Euro
AP US Gov
AP Microeconomics
AP Environmental Sci
AP Lit
AP Stats
Debate VIII Honors </p>

<p>Probably going to take AP World and Comparative Gov. exams for the heck of it as well </p>

<p>So, at this point, I'm only locked on 3 schools I know I want to apply to: BC, BU, and GWU. I want a medium-big school in a large urban area on the east coast, with the exception of Chicago perhaps. I'm looking for a school where the students have their own thoughts, ideas, values and can have intriuging discussions. I know my stats aren't too amazing, but I'm trying to get them as polished as I can before I apply to make up for past years mistakes, and I have the drive to get to the best school for me and get where I want to be in life. </p>

<p>I appreciate any suggestions on safeties, matches, and reaches for me, and if there's anything else you'd like to know about me, I'll answer to help you help me, lol. </p>

<p>THANKS!</p>

<p>~Ben</p>

2

<p>Where does the cost of college come into play for you? Will you need financial/merit aid? Do you have some idea what your family can pay for you? That can make a big difference in your choices. I think that you are pretty much set on your "dream choices", but then for your matches and safeties, the financials should play a major role. I believe Florida has a state scholarship for good students and if you meet those requirements, you will have your financial safeties, but you may want to add some schools like Catholic in DC, ST Joseph in Philly, Providence in Providence that have some good scholarship opportunities for someone with your stats. Depending on your eligibility for financial aid, your top choices are very expensive, as expensive as they get, and they may not be so understanding about an absentee dad when calculating what you should pay.</p>

3

<p>Well, finances are a big issue for me, can't pay much of anything. However, my dad cannot be found by Child Services, etc and owes around $230,000 in back child support, so they should take that into some account. I realize I'll be in debt, etc, but I don't want that to deter me from getting to the best school possible. I appreciate the help, but knowing this now, any suggestions, and do you think the schools I already have listed I have a shot at??</p>

<p>~Ben</p>

4

<p>Any other opinions?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>~Ben</p>

5

<p>Advice on applying to BC: If debate is your passion, emphasize that in your application. If you haven't done so, look up BC's Fulton Debating Society, its famous "wall," etc. (here's a recent article: <a href="http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v13/my12/fulton.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v13/my12/fulton.html&lt;/a&gt;) and reference it in your essay.</p>

6

<p>Wow, I appreciate that, that makes me want to go there even more, lol. Assuming you're there, do you think I have a chance if I emphasize how much I love debate?</p>

7

<p>I think anyone who makes a strong case for themselves has a chance. When I applied, I remember one of the admissions people calling the process at BC "holistic," meaning they dont just look at stats, but give a lot of importance to personal things (background, life experiences, hobbies, talents, interests ...). At the time I figured it was just admissions-speak. And maybe it is, but I do think there's truth to it. Stats are obviously very important, but they don't set cut-offs for SATs/GPAs. I know people who got rejected with awesome stats and others who got in without them. Since there is no interview, the essay is really where you can set yourself apart.</p>

8

<p>Definitely look into Brown, Cornell, Michigan-Ann Arbor, Northwestern and Wisconson-Madison.</p>

9

<p>Thanks BC_heightman, I appreciate it, and I will make sure I focus on my main interests, etc. Alexandre, I don't believe I have much of a shot at most of those schools and Michigan is too far away from everything for me, even though it is an amazing school.</p>

10

<p>Do not count yourself out Duffman. Apply to safeties by all means, but also apply to a couple of reaches like Brown and Northwestern and a couple of matches. Remember, essays go a long way. </p>

<p>As for Michigan, I think you should consider it seriously. Ann Arbor is an amazing place. Also consider Wisconsin...Madison is also amazing.</p>

11

<p>Duffman,
Just a word of advice regarding financial aid: you need to be very careful with the schools you pick because many schools will expect your father to contribute to your educational expenses, even if he has not paid a dime of child support or can not be found. We have had several heart-breaking cases here on CC where students were accepted to their dream schools and then discovered that the school would not accept that the non-custodial parent could not contribute. This is a question I would ask each and every school directly so that you know up front if this may be an issue for you and you can then adjust your list accordingly. You may need to take some very specific steps at some schools when you apply for financial aid to get them to believe that your father is missing in action. So, please, discuss this directly with an admissions rep at every school on your list early in the application process to avoid potential disappointment come spring.</p>

<p>If you need significant financial aid, as it appears you do, I would be cautious about Boston U. Their financial aid packages are not always the most generous, and often rely heavily on loans. In fact, only about 50% of students who have demonstrated financial need at BU have their need fully met. There are exceptions, of course, and this shouldn't stop you from applying, but know going in that it may not be your best choice for financial aid so you're not overly disappointed if it doesn't work out financially. </p>

<p>Since it sounds like you would prefer to stay in the northeast, a few other suggestions for you to look at might include Fordham, Fairfield, Clark U, Brandeis, Syracuse, SUNY Binghamton, Mary Washington University and George Mason University, both near D.C. in Virginia, and the University of Maryland-College Park and Towson State U in Maryland.</p>

12

<p><<essays go="" a="" long="" way="">></essays></p>

<p>Alexandre, I have to take issue with you on this. Yes, essays can go a long way at selective private schools, but they don't have the same type of pull at large public universities. There, they look at your numbers first, and if you're not in range, your essay is never going to get a look. You are also doing Duffman a dis-service by suggesting that an essay alone could overcome grades and test scores towards the bottom of accepted student stats at highly selective schools like Brown, Cornell and Northwestern. In my opinion, those are not realistic reaches for him unless he considered applying ED, which, with his financial need, I would not recommend. In my opinion, he'd be better served by choosing a few realistic reach schools like BC, and then filling in the rest of his list with matches (BU, GWU) and safeties (American).</p>

<p>Additionally, the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin are both very expensive choices for an out of state student who will need significant financial aid, especially when you add in travel expenses.</p>

13

<p>Carolyn, I agree that essays will not help in the case of Michigan and Wisconsin. I was merely suggesting that they would help in the case of Brown, Chicago or Northwestern. </p>

<p>I did not take Financial aid into consideration. I agree that Michigan and Wisconsin are not known for giving generous aid, but one never knows. I know students with 3.6 GPAs and SATs in the high 1300 s who got good FA packages. It all depends.</p>

14

<p><<one never="" knows="">></one></p>

<p>If this was the case, then everyone should apply to Harvard, no matter how low their stats because "one never knows." :) </p>

<p>And let's help Duffman (and other kids) find realistic reaches, matches and safeties in the area he prefers to stay, where he is likely to get good financial aid or merit money, not push him towards that are high reaches. Brown and Cornell are reaches for kids with grades and test scores way above his. Come on, you don't seriously believe that an essay will get someone with a 3.5 GPA and 1300 SATs into Brown, do you? </p>

<p>And, while he might - might - have a chance at Cornell ED, RD would be a high reach. Applying ED would not be a realistic plan for someone who needs to compare financial aid packages, or who has a decent chance of getting serious merit money elsewhere if he picks his school list carefully.</p>

<p>Sorry to pick on you but I've seen enough kids end up disappointed come April because someone told them "one never knows" and they hear "Wow! I'm definitely in because so-and-so said I do!" As the adults on this board, I think we have a responsibility to give realistic advice based on a full consideration of each person's stats, desires, and needs, not just ramble off names of schools because "one never knows."</p>

15

<p>Carolyn, I believe in broadening students' searches. Most students simply do not have the information required to apply to schools. Most students do not even know what they are looking for in a college. They regurgitate what others have told them. I am merely suggesting he do some research before settling on what schools he wishes to apply to. I would not force Duffman into any situation. I personally think that most good students should apply to a dream school or two and I personally think that Michigan and Wisconsin match his interests (Political Science and Psychology).</p>

<p>As for his credentials, I happen to think that his courseload has been challenging enough and his GPA high enough to warrant his applying to one or two mega sellective schools like Chicago or Brown. I agree that he will most likely not get in, but he does have a shot, so why not try...if he truly likes those schools.</p>

16

<p>Heh, thanks guys. I'm applying to Chicago as my super reach, been planning on doing this. So far, my list is this.</p>

<p>BC - ED (slight reach)
BU - match
GWU - ED - match
Chicago - ED (reach)
American - slight safety</p>

<p>Any other ideas?</p>

17

<p>What state do you live in? There are some great state schools if you look.</p>

18

<p>I live in Florida, I hate Florida and have absolutely NO desire to go to UF, our best public school. I have to get out!!! lol</p>

19

<p>Emory is in Atlanta, but most of the students are from the Northeast. The weather is nicer. Emory has great financial aid. Atlanta is a great college town. It is closer to Florida. A 1300 SAT would make Emory a pretty long reach, but I think you can expect to see a final SAT that is higher. Get a SAT study guide and take some of the practice exams. You can probably improve that a lot.</p>

<p>I tend to agree with carolyn about reaches. One may never know, but one can have a pretty good idea. Look at the 50% SAT ranges. The 50% range is based on everybody including ED applicants, legacies, URM's, athletes, development cases, and VIP's. If you don't fall in any of those categories and are applying during Regular Decision, then you need to be towards the top of the 50% range. If the range is 1300-1500, then you need to have a 1450 before you are a strong candidate. If a person has less than a 1390, I don't think they would a good chance, but one never knows. The problem is that a lot of applicants look at the 50% range and think that it is a match school because they are at least in it (or close to being in it). It is tough to be denied at all of the colleges that you thought were matches. </p>

<p>READ THIS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID!!!!!!!!
At every college you apply to, you need to file a waiver for the non-custodial parent. This is a form where you describe why the non-custodial parent is not going to supply any money for your college expenses. The form needs to have supporting documentation from someone who is not a family member. Ideally you would have a lawyer write a letter describing the lack of child support and the lawyer's inability to locate the non-custodial parent. The financial aid officer at the college makes the decision and all you have to do is convince them that there is no money. A letter from a lawyer should do it. If you can't get a lawyer, it needs to be someone else in a position of authority who is familiar with the situation. Don't wait until the last minute.</p>

20

<p>^ Thanks, I appreciate it...but Emory doesn't have a strong Political Science program and isn't in the Northeast.</p>