<p>So in other words, I’d be better off going to a private school since I don’t live in VA. Is my being from Mississippi a good or bad thing? I know we have a bad academic record, so would I look good for my high test scores, or would I look bad because I’m from Mississippi. I’ve looked at the statistics, and schools like these have an almost non-existent percentage of MS students</p>
<p>I don’t think it can hurt in any way to be from Mississippi - though at the southern schools you’ve mentioned, you won’t stand out because you come from MS. At farther-off schools, you might be considered an even more attractive applicant because colleges like to show they have a geographically diverse student body.</p>
<p>I think you’re in good shape if you keep several highly-ranked schools with strong finaid policies on the list (Vandy, Emory, Tulane, Wake Forest, and/or Davidson). One thing to consider is what your family’s EFC will be once they file the FAFSA early next year. Strong finaid schools will meet your demonstrated need, but families often find that what they believe they can afford to pay and what they’re expected to pay are two different figures. </p>
<p>We don’t know exactly how selective the schools on your list will be this application season, what the adcoms may make of your application apart from your stats, and how many choices you’ll wind up with in April. That’s why you also want to include less selective schools on your list (such as Elon or Furman). And it’s why I also wondered whether you’d be open to more affordable OOS public schools, where you’d probably be in the Honors College with in-state tuition (if it’s offered) or merit aid.</p>
<p>Good luck - you’ve got some great schools on your list and have had a number of good suggestions on this thread, too.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great help! My EFC isn’t going to be much because my mom’s salary is less than one year’s cost at any of these schools. I know I would qualify for loan-free aid at Emory and Vandy, and I think I would at Davidson and Columbia. I guess the problem is just getting into one of these schools >.<</p>
<p>I believe Tulane still has a loan-free program as well. [Tulane</a> Admission: Scholarships & Aid](<a href=“http://admission.tulane.edu/aid/index.php]Tulane”>http://admission.tulane.edu/aid/index.php)</p>
<p>I don’t see the OP as having the stats for Davidson. Not sure this is a good suggestion for this student. I agree with other suggestions, though.</p>
<p>W&M is extremely competitive, esp for OOS students. Elon, Richmond, and Furman would be reasonable back-ups.</p>
<p>IMO, UVA has a VERY similar feel to Vandy; my D applied to both because the resembled one another in many ways. She also applied to Wake and UNC which have that same type of vibe, we felt, that Vandy has. Both UNC and UVA are excellent publics. Like you, she was OOS at both; however, was accepted at both. You might want to give it a try even though, for OOS students, it is quite competitive. Nothing against W&M, but I personally feel UVA is MUCH more like Vandy. W&M feels more like a liberal arts college to me. It’s a fabulous school, though, if that’s what appeals to you. One more thing, according to Princeton Review, UVA is ranked #2 in the nation for “Great Financial Aid” just behind Franklin Olin. Good luck!</p>
<p>When looking at your GPA, remember that 9th grade is usually somewhat discounted. If you have an upward trend that is in your favor. If the trend is downward, then you may have to lower your expectations. </p>
<p>Also William & Mary, Columbia and Emory are just as hard to get into as Vandy. Check the Common Data Set for each school to see how you stack up against the students they admitted.</p>
<p>I didn’t know that about the 9th grade! I had my only C ever in the 9th grade, so that should be a plus for me. I basically know how I stack up against the competition; at most of these schools I’m at the lower end of the accepted range. That’s why I’m applying to so many if I don’t get into Vandy. I may also apply at Tulane. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a safety school, but I think I would probably get in, especially since they sent me a priority application.</p>
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<p>Admission to these schools is hard to predict but class rank could be an issue. 82% of Davidson students ranked in the top 10%. At Vanderbilt, the figure is 85%. UVa? 89%. These are the percentages for enrolled students. The percentages for admitted students may be higher, since kids with the highest stats will have more good choices. In addition, many of them will be top 10% in private schools or top public high schools in places like the DC suburbs or Charlottesville.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that if you are in the bottom 15%-20% for class rank at a school that rejects most applicants, then something else needs to stand out. I’m not sure just being from Mississippi will do it.</p>
<p>So you need to be realistic. No, I don’t think you can consider Tulane a safety at all. 60% of Tulane students ranked in the top 10% and the school rejects about 3/4 of its applicants. I’d consider it at best a high match (priority application notwithstanding).</p>
<p>I’m not as concerned about class rank for any school but Vandy. Because I’m applying early decision, none of the grades from my senior year will count, but if I wait until march to apply for the other schools, I’ll have a much higher GPA because I’m taking several honors and AP classes this semester. The only reason I’m not in the top 10% right now is because I haven’t taken all the APs that a lot of people took as juniors. They all have really easy senior years, but I’ll definitely move up in rank after my APs</p>
<p>USC(w) is somewhat similar to Vandy.</p>