Please Help: Worried Senior

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am having trouble finding "target" and "likely" schools that I am enthusiastic about. At this point, I'm worried about not getting in anywhere because my favorite schools all seem to be above my range. Here is some background on me:</p>

<ul>
<li>White, female, California from a very competitive, public, ranked high school</li>
<li>GPA: 3.83 (UW), 4.05(W)</li>
<li>SAT: only taken once, taking again in November: 730 (CR), 690 (W), 600(M)</li>
<li>Taking the SAT II's in December: US History, Lit </li>
<li>AP's so far: Word History (5), US History (5), English Language & Composition (5), Psychology (5) --> AP Scholar with Honor + two honors english courses (9,10)</li>
<li>AP's this year: Gov, Macroecon, Stats, Lit</li>
</ul>

<p>EC's:
- School's newsmagazine (recently ranked as one of the top ten in the country): Editor-in-Chief (12), Online Editor-in-Chief (11), Staff Writer (10)
- Intern at several local newspapers (11,12)
- Started a club at my school that works with the homeless (now has branches at two other high schools and adult members) (10, 11,12)
- Political Activist Club (10) --> fizzled out afterwards
- Horseback riding lessons for 10 years
- President of Journalism Club (12)
- Summer journalism program at a university (11)</p>

<p>I want to be a journalist and am planning to do something with journalism/communications/political science. </p>

<p>I'm looking to go to a medium sized school (4-5k - 12k) with access to an urban area. I would like a school with vibrant social and nightlife as well as school spirit. I will definitely be traveling abroad and would love to write for the school paper.</p>

<p>So far, some of my favorite schools include Boston College and Wake Forest. I'm also looking at Fordham, Vanderbilt (dream big, I know), University of San Fransisco, University of Richmond, Elon, Villanova, and George Washington. I need more "likely" schools; I'm worried that my list is too reachy and that I won't get anywhere. If you have any schools to suggest, that would be great. Thank you :)</p>

2

<p>Northwestern (Medill school of journalism) seems like a obvious fit in size, ease of access to great city, school spirit and while not a safety would seem like a match to your stats.</p>

3

<p>You should get into some of those places with a 1330 (Fordham, SF, Richmond). Northwestern is quite a reach but if your math score comes up…Bucknell came to my mind but I don’t know if they specifically have journalism and Philly may be more than an hour. GW is a good idea. American for a safety? Maybe University of Pittsburgh?</p>

4

<p>I love Northwestern and it would be a dream to attend Medill, but I know that my stats are not up to Northwestern’s standards. I was thinking about American and Pitt as well. I’m hoping to raise my math score when I take the SAT in November, as I have taken two math classes since I last took the SAT.</p>

<p>Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it! :)</p>

5

<p>Might look at Holy Cross-similar to Villanova and Boston College.</p>

6

<p>I looked into Holy Cross, but I think it might be too rural from what I’ve read. </p>

<p>Any other suggestions, specifically safety/likely or low targets?</p>

7

<p>“target” and “likely” schools</p>

<p>Those schools often don’t give great “need based” aid. What’s your budget? How much will your family pay?</p>

<p>Even schools like USF, Nova, and Fordham don’t meet need.</p>

<p>For a school to be a likely (safety) school, you need to know FOR SURE that you have all costs covered.</p>

<p>If money is no object, and your family will pay $55k per year for wherever you want to go, then great! :)</p>

8

<p>I was hoping for merit-based aid from USF specifically.</p>

<p>My family’s budget is very complicated because my parents are divorced and a few other factors, but money should not be a huge factor (I have demonstrated need-based aid as far as my mom goes, but I do not when it comes to my dad’s income. However, I reside solely with my mother and am unsure if my father will want my mother to pay for part of college, which she is completely unable to do. It’s complicated - sorry if that is TMI)</p>

<p>I was thinking more in terms of “likely” schools when it comes to admissions/statistics, schools that I am more likely to get into than not and schools that I have a very good chance at.</p>

9

<p>* money should not be a huge factor (I have demonstrated need-based aid as far as my mom goes, but I do not when it comes to my dad’s income*</p>

<p>It doesn’t matter if you have “demonstrated need” at many match and safety schools. These schools typically do not meet need. So even if you have a lowish EFC, you will likely get gapped at likely/safety schools. </p>

<p>Schools don’t have to do anything with you FAFSA EFC except to see if you qualify for any federal aid, which is not much at all. </p>

<p>Money is a huge factor when applying to MANY schools since they don’t have much aid to give.</p>

<p>For instance, a school like USF may give you a merit scholarship of $15k per year or so, but they may not give you anything else but a $5500 loan. So, it can’t be a safety for you since you don’t know if it’s affordable. </p>

<p>For a school to be a “safety” or likely, you have to know FOR SURE that you have all costs covered. </p>

<p>Do you know how much each parent will contribute?</p>

10

<p>There is 100k in my college fund right now (from father’s income) and my mom cannot contribute anything. She does not have a job. I’m not sure about any financial stuff other than that.</p>

11

<p>Not sure what BC will do. They can be a bit quirky for undergraduate school. A good chance Wake will accept you. Richmond, Elon, Fordham, USF, Villanova will take you. George Washington is also quirky. </p>

<p>Your list is fine and you seem very level headed and well balanced. You will be fine. </p>

<p>Ping me PM as I have a thought on some schools.</p>

<p>I do agree with mom2collegekids that some schools don’t meet need, but in these extraordinary times many schools are reaching out and trying harder to recruit top students like you. </p>

<p>Its a good idea to apply to safety schools that you can envision yourself attending and enjoying. Safety is relative and does not have anything to do with quality of education or the fun factor. </p>

<p>Apply for FAFSA and CSS when its convenient but before the deadline…and for the best results in December. The early bird gets the worm. </p>

<p>Look at Marquette as well. Good luck</p>

12

<p>There is 100k in my college fund right now</p>

<p>That will affect your need as well since schools will use that to compute “need.”</p>

<p>How is your mom able to support you and herself if she has no income? If she puts 0 income down on FAFSA, schools are going to question this. </p>

<p>Many of the schools on her list will accept her. I don’t think she has to worry about that. However, having a handful of unaffordable acceptances will not be a good thing. The OP needs to make sure she has a couple of financial safety schools.</p>

<p>*Its a good idea to apply to safety schools that you can envision yourself attending and enjoying. Safety is relative and does not have anything to do with quality of education or the fun factor.
*</p>

<p>I’m not sure what the above means.</p>

<p>A financial safety should be a school that you like, will provide a good education, and you know FOR SURE that you have all costs covered by ASSURED scholarships, small fed student loans, and/or family funds.</p>

13

<p>Mom2CollegeKids: I am sure this is TMI, but right now we are living off of money from my maternal grandma as my father is not paying my mother any significant amount of support and my mom has been unable to find a job in this economy. :confused: My dad is a lawyer, but my mom has not worked in 17 years, as she became a stay-at-home mom when I was born. I really appreciate your emphasis on a financial safety. I’m not sure what that might be, though. Any thoughts?</p>

14

<p>Many schools gap…and many schools fudge by calling it met need by offering you loans. You will have to apply to several schools and compare offers and decide then. Stay away from any ED applications. Only use non committal EA applications for now. </p>

<p>But whatever, do not exclude yourself now from any school where you are well qualified because you think you can’t afford it. You never know what happens.</p>

<p>It is very true that some lower rank schools will use merit aid to recruit you. Perhaps USF will do that, and its a fine school from what I have heard. Of course you have to visit your choices and ask around and get your own personal vibe. </p>

<p>Financial safeties are what you envision: schools where you are clearly going to be admitted and are in the upper 75th or higher percentile of their admitted students stats. They are likely to give you merit aid. Small private colleges have more leeway than people realize, even if their endowment is not huge. </p>

<p>Look at Loyola Colleges: New Orleans, Chicago, Maryland for example. All three of them are stellar schools. </p>

<p>Schools are familiar with divorces and will simply ask for tax returns etc from both parents and home valuations on FAFSA. Don’t fret about money now. Focus instead on the best schools for you where you can envision yourself attending and being happy and performing very well. It will all work out in the end. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

15

<p>Holy Cross is one mile from downtown Worcester. As of the 2010 Census the city’s population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston. Far from rural.</p>

16

<p>^^^ Second that choice. “The Cross” as it is known affectionately, is a wonderful liberal arts college that enjoys a fabulous academic reputation. </p>

<p>In the end, there is not one choice or even two that are exclusively your choice for college. There are many choices. And at this juncture, its early…so apply to several schools, diverse perhaps in size and location and maybe even “the vibe”. Then in April next year when you are required to pull the trigger on ONE school, you can examine your top three accepted student choices and discern which is best for you or most excites you. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

17

<p>As a California resident why not apply to some UC schools. Your stats might be good enough to get accepted to Berkeley.</p>

<p>In addition, for California public universities you’d be allowed to only use your Mom’s income and assets. You might qualify for reduced or free tuition under the Blue and Gold program. [University</a> of California - Blue + Gold Opportunity Plan](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/paying-for-uc/financial-aid/grants/blue-gold/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/paying-for-uc/financial-aid/grants/blue-gold/index.html)</p>

<p>Combined with your Dad’s college fund, you might be able to finish UG debt free.</p>

<p>If Grad school is in your future, that is a sensible alternative.</p>

18

<p>Really not fan of the UC system or staying in California (unless San Fran), to be honest. I’m from San Diego, and I am so blessed to live here, but I really want to get out and live in another part of the country.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate it.</p>

19

<p>Holy Cross uses the CSS Profile and will also require non-custodial parent info. That is not a good recommendation if the Father won’t pay.</p>

20

<p>Most schools use the CSS model for initial offers, later to be confirmed and finalized with the FAFSA and tax returns. Most schools also require the non custodial parent to provide information. How they resolve disputes when someone won’t turn over tax documents or provide adequate information (which is despicable) for a FAFSA report is a matter for individual schools to resolve. </p>

<p>Strange wants to leave California. I get that. So let’s help him/her with some suggestions. </p>

<p>It appears Strange is a Roman Catholic (a guess), so I would suggest he/she look at the websites for all 28 Jesuit colleges (<a href=“http://www.ajcunet.edu/[/url]”>http://www.ajcunet.edu/&lt;/a&gt;), toss in Providence, Siena, Villanova, U Portland and perhaps U Dallas for good measure. </p>

<p>For financial reasons Strange should look closely at schools where he/she is in the 75th percentile of their class profiles at each college, or higher, to maximize scholarship and other financial aid offers.</p>