<p>I am going on a trip up north to look at several colleges. I have been told that rutgers does not give a lot of merit money. Are there any colleges around the Rutgers area ( does not have to be substantially close) that gives great merit money for my stats: </p>
<p>Academics:
GPA - Unweighted: 3.72
GPA - Weighted: 4.23
Class Rank: top 10%
Class Size: 205</p>
<p>Scores:
SAT I Math: 600
SAT I Critical Reading: 630
SAT I Writing: 610</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Significant Extracurriculars:
Dance-Ballet,Jazz,Pointe,Modern since I was 4.
Leadership positions:
Teach Dance Classes
National Honor Society
National Beta Club
Peer Mentor-Group Leader
Volunteer/Service Work:
Boys and Girls Club Dance Class Jr&Sr Year
Key Club
Honors and Awards:
Principal's Honor Roll
Georgia Certificate of Merit
Who's Who Nominations</p>
<p>Are you looking at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)? Their website says "Typically, out-of-state scholarship recipients have been in the top 10% of their high school class with an average SAT score of 1250 or higher." I don't know how much you'd get but it could be worth looking at.</p>
<p>Franklin and Marshall is 3 hours from Rutgers in Lancaster, PA. They are an SAT optional school. Check the fine print but I think your GPA and rank are high enough to not have to send in your SAT. Your GPA would also be on the high end there and they do give merit aid.</p>
<p>it is a small school compared to the others you mention. It has a very nice new theater and studios for dance though I believe their dance program is small and focused on modern and jazz not ballet...not sure about that so you should check that.</p>
<p>I think it's actually harder to get into TCNJ than RU. Our HS sends about 10-15 kids each yr. Not sure about merit $. I know they've cut back under Corzine.</p>
<p>NJ Governor. Scholarships are dependent on his continuing to fund them. He has cut $ to state schools in the past. He totally cut funding for Governor's School. RU does offer some scholarships to OOS but some people who received them said they only got $5000 (which isn't that much with OOS tuition).</p>
<p>As for TCNJ, you may benefit from being out of state. I think TCNJ wants to increase its OOS #s. As for scholarships, apply early. This is what the website says:</p>
<p>"Typically, out-of-state scholarship recipients have been in the top 10% of their high school class with an average SAT score of 1250 or higher.</p>
<p>However, TCNJ takes pride in its holitsic approach to the out-of-state scholarship process, taking into consideration more than just quantitative measures. TCNJ is looking for students who show talents beyond those evidenced on a high school transcript or standardized test score... students who intend to actively contribute to both the academic and social community on campus."</p>
<p>Jerzgirlmom is correct, TCNJ is seeking out-of-state applicants. I believe last year they had more OOS applicants than ever but they still want more. It's a really good school though.</p>
<p>Your credentials are good, but I don't see merit money from a well-known school as very realistic. Your GPA is excellent, but on the low side for a top ten percenter--which may mean your school is very rigorous. I don't know. However, the SAT scores are very low for the GPA and for someone ranking that high in a class, and certainly low for merit money. Your ECs are impressive, but not necessarily to the point that schools will want to essentially pay you to attend, all other things being equal.</p>
<p>I have the sense (based on sending two children with slightly higher grades, good ECs, and considerably higher SAT scores) that merit money often goes to applicants whose profiles will be good for the schools in question--that is, higher than the school's mid-range attendees. I would be surprised if TCNJ gave merit money to out of staters at you SAT/GPA level, but if it does it is unlikely to be higher than the $1,000-$2,000 they would give to the lowest tier of instate merit money kids. (NJ has a formula that combines class rank and SAT scores to determine how much money they give.) </p>
<p>I'd urge you to look for schools that fit your interests and preferences and then narrow the field to see which if any are likely to give you merit money. I also wonder about staying instate if money is an issue--honors programs, smaller state-run schools with both good arts and academic programs, and so on.</p>
<p>Mattmom gives good advice. I think that your stats should help you at schools like F&M who might also be looking for some "artists" to balance out their student body. </p>
<p>Other Penn. schools to consider are Muhlenberg, Dickenson, and Moravian. In CT you have Conn. College and in NJ Drew. You might check the various college guides for Delaware and Maryland as well. In NY perhaps Skidmore. This assumes that you are interested in an art focus. I think that getting money from schools with strong dance programs is more tricky so, if they otherwise fit your interests, schools with smaller dance programs are better bets as they will see you as someone to help diversify their campuses.</p>
<p>According to their website you would receive at least $4000/yr merit aid at Rowan University which is the next step down from TCNJ. If you can improve your SATs there is the potential for more merit aid in NJ. You could also expect merit aid at Wagner on Staten Island (not far from Rutgers) and Monmouth University. </p>
<p>I doubt any of these schools are a better deal than you would get at UGA.</p>
<p>Honestly, I would just rather not go to school in state. I've lived here since I was four and I am ready to leave. My dad will only have 50k for the 4 years saved up. That is why I need merit money (I would rather not have to take out loans) to be able to go out of state.</p>