<p>@katliamom: Yes.</p>
<p>That’s what we’ve been trying to establish since post #74. (In other words, your earlier statement that “FA is nice but not necessary” is misleading.) So you need to focus your college search on schools you can get into THAT ALSO CAN OFFER FINANCIAL AID. Since your stats aren’t high enough for most good privates, your best bet is your instate schools. Another option, as you know, is community college and then transfer to a top SUNY.</p>
<p>Brin,</p>
<p>I know I’m just repeating myself, but…</p>
<p>I THINK but am NOT sure that HEOP income doesn’t include income of the non-custodial parent. If it doesn’t you DO qualify. IF you do, it IS your best bet. </p>
<p>Second, your GC can give you better advice about which SUNYs will be a match for you than anyone on this board can. </p>
<p>I know you don’t want to live at home or in NYC, but you should also apply to CUNYs. IMO, it’s much better to go to one of them than it is to go to a CC. If you want to be a teacher, Hunter College is well-regarded in that field.</p>
<p>He also wants to triple major in Latin, art, and biology for a career as a biomedical researcher.</p>
<p>I’ve been looking at smaller, more supportive schools that don’t absolutely require standard test scores. They tend to be expensive, very competitive for admission, and somewhat lacking academically for him. Everyone has bio, many have art, and only some have Latin (and some of those just have two years of basic classes). I haven’t felt comfortable suggesting any of them.</p>
<p>@jonri: What about this? “Possess a high school diploma or a State-approved equivalency diploma (with a composite score not higher than 3100) or its equivalent. The equivalent of a general equivalency diploma is defined as being one of the following:
An Armed Forces Equivalency Diploma, with a minimum score of 410 on each test section and a minimum composite score of 2250?
A level of knowledge and academic ability equal to the level required for entrance to the educational opportunity program at the institution to which the individual seeks admission.”</p>
<p>I don’t have any of those as I still haven’t graduated… is it too early to apply? I’m not trying to go against it, I just want to know when I should sign up for it as I’ll need my mother in this, and she hates doing anything to help me with school.</p>
<p>And my guidance actually suggested Drexel in Pennsylvania LOL.</p>
<p>@Wordworker: She ^^; Actually, I just said I like art… not sure I want to major in it, maybe. My plan was biology (to be a med researcher), a second money-making major as a back up (I decided on Computer Science. I heard it makes a lot and I love computers, but if it actually doesn’t make a lot then please feel free to correct me.), and finally, whatever major could potentially lead me to become a Latin teacher. I’d rather have three in case the other two fail or something; or if I can’t find a job as a teacher and I’m broke, maybe I can make something in Computer Science.</p>
<p>Just curious, were any of them Mount Holyoke? One of my Latin teachers went there, and she majored in Latin and Bio. (no, I’m not choosing it because of her, I planned on going into the medical field before I even knew Latin existed haha) Or maybe Boston University? My other Latin teacher went there… according to my first Latin teacher, she took a Latin test that gave her a full-ride or something, and she suggested I ask her so I can take that test.</p>
<p>@everyone: A problem with SUNYs, though… they look at Regents as well. My Regents aren’t that good.</p>
<p>Sorry, Brin. I don’t remember reading anything that suggested you’re female.</p>
<p>I happen to like Drexel. A lot. I live nearby and have worked there. I know people who work there. And Drexel is excellent for science and tech, as well as some other things. But I just doublechecked the website. Teacher ed but not in Latin. No Latin classes, in fact. And your SAT scores put you at about the 25th percentile for students admitted last year who actually enrolled. </p>
<p>I’m afraid your guidance counselor isn’t going to be too reliable. I just wish you were in a program for at-risk high school students from mediocre high schools who really want to go to college. Philly has a great one; I have no idea what NYC has.</p>
<p>@Wordworker: It’s okay! And I wouldn’t say my high school is mediocre… every year we have students who go to Ivies. My school’s pretty competitive (or maybe I only hang around the Honors kids too much); everyone here generally has high goals and high averages. I mean, there are a few potheads here and there, but this school is filled with tons of smart people.</p>
<p>Brin,</p>
<p>You will have a high school diploma before you start college; that’s what counts.</p>
<p>Again, talk to your GC about HEOP. If (s)he isn’t much help, contact the HEOP officer at some of the schools on the list and ask for info. </p>
<p>I’m certainly not an expert on HEOP. If you attend a public high school in NYC, there should be someone at your school who is familiar with the requirements.</p>
<p>Ok…so now we know that FA is very much needed (not "FA is nice but not needed). Please try to give us as much accurate info about your situation otherwise people are going to give you useless suggestions.</p>
<p>Yes, try the female schools like Mt Holyoke…they’re good with aid, too. However, the more selective ones like Smith and Barnard will likely expect higher stats.</p>
<p>@jonri: I will ask when school starts.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids: I’m not sure what else. American grandpa might or might not give money, dad might help but not much (since he doesn’t make much). No one else will help as far as I know. I will be applying for scholarships and whatnot, even throughout college, and I will try to find a job if necessary. I tend to be good with money, and finding good deals and taking advantage of them, if it helps.</p>
<p>So is Mount Holyoke a match for me, or a reach? The Princeton Review matched me to Abilene Christian University and ONLY Abilene Christian University… ouch. (not that it’s bad, I don’t know much about it, but there’s got to be more matches for me then that…) So is that one also a match or should I forget about it? I’m not getting any SUNYs for matches or safeties when I use these tools… I got one university in New York as a safety, but it’s not a SUNY.</p>
<p>Seems like you’re steering toward LACs, you see if your a match for SUNY New Paltz or Geneseo. I think those are the close LAC wise out of the SUNY schools. If you want something along those lines. Still pretty competitive to get in, but much cheaper. Beloit is pretty good too and offers really nice aid up to full tuition I believe or not to exceed.</p>
<p>@santookie: No, NOOOO, no liberal arts… I know Mount Holyoke is one, but I’ve had the day to rethink it. I REALLY wanted to apply to it back in Freshman/Sophomore year, but then I was told that LACs are terrible. I went ahead and Googled it, and well… I think I might be better off at a university.</p>
<p>Abilene Christian University isn’t a LAC, is it? O_o;;</p>
<p>Mt Holyoke is a reach with your SATs and financially OUT of reach since you wont, with you stats get FA there. </p>
<p>I have no idea who and why told you that “LACs are terrible,” but that’s just plain absurd.</p>
<p>LACs are definitely not terriable. Certain Ivys teach that style and are extremely prestigeous. It’s just not for everyone is a better wording. I do think they have their merits though.</p>
<p>This is by far one of the most interesting discussions on CC I’ve read. I really don’t mean this in a sarcastic or mean way. It points out what is great and terrible about this country - it’s the land where every one wants to be, but, hey, it’s rough if you aren’t lucky enough to have financially and emotionally supportive parents. </p>
<p>In the meantime, I haven’t seen anyone come up with a list of colleges that would work for our friend brinazarski. I’ll start out - stats and good financial aid taken into account. Both are Catholic institutions so Latin is a natural. I’m in Chicago so I know these are both excellent, well respected schools, with diverse student bodies. Chicago can be cold but we also have a beautiful lakefront with sandy beaches - both schools are minutes away from the lakeshore. Huge Polish community if that matters.</p>
<p>DePaul University, Chicago
Loyola University, Chicago</p>
<p>^^ neither of these is particularly known for good FA</p>
<p>^^ But they do offer aid to a high percentage of their students. With his grandparents money, which the schools won’t know about, he may be able to swing it. A part-time job is not that hard to find here and he could reduce costs by sharing a cheap apartment eventually - also doable in Chicago.</p>
<p>fjodsngkonvdnfing ugh my comp just deleted everything i typed why ;-; ugh will try to sum this up quickly since im annoyed.</p>
<p>@katliamom: SATs are optional at Mt. H.</p>
<p>@keesh17: THANK YOU! I appreciate the feedback and will look into those colleges. I’ve got tons of e-mails and snail mails from DePaul, but never considered it. Also, I’m a she ^^;</p>
<p>@everyone: Chances at Abilene Christian University…? Also, that friend of mine who got into college. She’s going to a private university in NY with some financial aid, mostly loans. So, for those of you curious about who’s paying…</p>
<p>ACU has some of the highest student debt in the country</p>
<p>@barrk123: Sigh. Okay, take that off my list. Thank you for that info. What about the ones keesh17 suggested?</p>