<p>^Yes, that’s a good way of putting it. I meant to say the ‘overcome’ part needs to be clear, but it doesn’t have to be, and in fact probably shouldn’t be, the focus of your Common App essay.</p>
<p>Have to admit, there are details here I’m missing. OP, what major- psych? And where do we get the ‘can only afford 1k?’ I went back, but don’t see that- or what the family income may be in 2015+. I’m assuming FL is the home state? Sorry if I just didn’t see it, is that from other threads? </p>
<p>I think the conventional does apply here, except for maybe LT and Temple: you may still be expected to have a contribution from student summer earnings (call it 2k) and maybe work study (depends, but between about 1700-2300.) You may need to consider transportation costs. I also think OP is quite wise. If LT and Temple meet your basic academic needs and you like them as colleges, they are good choices. Also, did anyone point OP to the thread with the list of merit aid schools?</p>
<p>I eliminated temple…I put LT as a safety but I’m looking for other safeties because I’m not sure about it…I have seen the automatic tuition link which is where I got LT…I know I’m not gonna abuse the sob story I am going to focus more on me and my accomplishments and dedication not seen on my ECs (I do a lot of work at my church from piano to volunteering and I can’t put that under extracurriculars</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Why not?</p>
<p>Does it count as EC?</p>
<p>Yes. Those are ECs.</p>
<p>Lots of volunteer work at your church is a serious EC. ECs don’t have to be formal school activities. Also consider a recommendation from your minister/priest should you apply for a Bonner or other scholarships. My older daughter was seriously invested in our church (still is) and included her volunteer work on her applications.</p>
<p>You might consider service scholarships as well. Many schools have them. You could ask the highest "ranking"adult who you work closely with at church if he/she would be willing to write you a recommendation letter when the time comes. Sometimes those need to me snail mailed but often they can also be done through the common app. For each school you can choose which recommenders to include from the master list in your profile (or at least you could when my older kid went through it) and just send that letter to the places that care. </p>
<p>What my D did is have that letter writer tailor the letter to the specific school that was highest on her list and cared about that type of thing. Give the person some talking points and a full list of hours and responsibilities etc. so they can include as much of that along with their glowing commentary about what a wonderful person you are. 
</p>
<p>That also might help if it looks like you could quality for Bonner with your EFC </p>
<p>It’s good to ask ahead for the letters if you haven’t and let them know that you will give them the talking points and they will get an email “invitation”</p>
<p>So far I has:
Safety:
FIU
LA Tech (hoping to find another one)
Match:
Hamilton College
Trinity College
(Missing 1)
Reach:
Rice (100% need met according to NPC)
Middle bury </p>
<p>Which trinity college? I would suggest you look at the one in San Antonio. You could be in the running for merit money there.</p>
<p>They have a scholarship day event for the additional merit money after the first round - this past year it was March 1st I think. The son of a friends learned a hard lesson about opening and responding to emails when it turned out that he hadn’t opened the Trinity invitation to scholarship day. It was supposed to be a financial safety for him.</p>
<p>The trinity in Connecticut it has about a 30% acceptance but my scores are in range and i feel my essay will be good the NPC estimate seems affordable this college process is so intense and stressful </p>
<p>You need to look into the rest of what makes a college a “fit.” Out of curiosity, what does Trinity CT suggest is your family contribution? </p>
<p>You are still way ahead of the game, shockwave, and doing great. You are getting a better handle on numbers which many kids and parents don’t do until they are sadly surprised in March. You’re learning how to look at the admissions sites and starting to get a feel. Hamilton looks like a great find!</p>
<p>I can’t specifically remember but I think the efc was close to 900? And thanks saintfan :)</p>
<p>Did you get a postcard about Hamilton’s fly-in program this fall? Here’s the info:
<a href=“Home at Hamilton - Hamilton College”>https://my.hamilton.edu/admission/diversityovernight/do-program-page</a></p>
<p>And here’s a webpage that lists several more schools with fly-in programs you might want to check out.
<a href=“Articles | Cappex”>Articles | Cappex;
<p>You are from Florida. If you attend Middlebury or Trinity CT, add in the costs for warm winter gab, including boots. And add in the cost of travel to Florida.</p>
<p>I don’t think Middlebury is worth adding. They have no merit awards, and there are reaches closer to your home that should be considered, in my opinion.</p>
<p>Same for Hamilton. </p>
<p>Middlebury offers full need and so does Hamilton but I get what you’re saying about clothing and travel so I’ll keep looking </p>