I really like IU and I’m pretty sure I could get in. My ACT is a 32 (36R/35E/30S/28M) and my GPA is a 91 on a 100 scale. However I don’t think I’ll be able to afford the OOS tuition - my total household income is less than 50000. I’d love some suggestions on similar schools that give good financial aid (merit or need based). Here’s a list of what I like about IU:
Top 10 for Accounting
Liberal area with a strong LGBT community
Large school in a small city
Beautiful campus
School spirit
A variety of vegetarian/vegan food if possible
Greek life
Women’s rowing
I would also like schools to have a good study abroad program, a variety of foreign languages, and community service opportunities.
Do you have a sibling in college? Do you know what your EFC would be?
Usually those who want a school with a strong LGBT community don’t want Greek Life. I’m not sure if all can be had, along with a top Accounting program and “school spirit”, with your financial restrictions.
My sister is a freshman at a college prep school. I don’t know what my EFC is because my parents just divorced, but it is not a lot (I know that’s not very helpful).
It’s okay if a school doesn’t have everything on my list and Greek Life isn’t a must. My main priorities besides financial aid are the accounting program, the location/size, the LGBT community, and study abroad. However School spirit would be a huge plus - everyone at my high school hates it and it’s a very negative environment. I really want to be at a school people are proud and happy to be at.
Look into U Dayton. I’m not sure what kind of a scholarship you would get but you’d get something and the rowing team is good. Have you looked at UMass?
I don’t think LGBT-friendly when I hear “UTulsa” but you can look into it. LGBT friendly colleges include women’s colleges, NYU, Elmhurst, most top colleges except for Washington&Lee. Typically, fraternity/sorority-heavy colleges aren’t gay friendly so you need to enquire - some have “gay” fraternities/sororities.
If you’re willing to compromise on the location aspect, the University of Southern California sounds like it’s worth at least applying to. Realistically, there aren’t many large private colleges in small towns that give good aid.
They’re in bigger cities, but more affordable schools that have much in common with IU would be Ohio State and Minnesota.
You might also look at Ohio University and Kent State. I don’t know much about their accounting programs, but they have many of the qualities you’re looking for and a reasonable price tag.
I’m serious about this, University of Oregon. The folks I know who have graduated with accounting/business degrees who became partners in major firms is 100% (sample pool of five ) but their business school is good, Eugene is a small town, LGBT friendly, and you’d be a big fish in a small pond. All the best.
“…LGBT friendly colleges include women’s colleges…”
So you haven’t read about the uproar at least at one womens’ college regarding transgendered women. I believe the college strongly stated its desire to support male students whom are (or have) transitioned, but some women on campus notably were not 100% happy about it.
I would be interested in a large school in a larger city (not NYC big), but I really don’t want to be in a small town. I’m also not interested in an all-girls college because my high school is single-sex. However I do understand that there’s a limit on colleges that fit my specifications and I am grateful to all of you who have suggested options so far. I will look into all of them
An all-girls high school and a women’s college are two totally (and sometimes opposite) entities. Not for everyone, definitely, but don’t discard because you attend an all-girls high school.
But look into all of the colleges indeed, once you know what is a “need” and what is a “want” in your criteria, come back to your thread and many people will help you.
If your family income is < $50K, you have a sibling in HS, and your parents recently divorced, then you’ll need a lot of aid. You may need to compromise on your criteria.
U Mass - Amherst (in-state) may be among your best options, and even there the costs may be a challenge. If you want to go out-of-state, skip the public universities unless they offer big merit scholarships for students with your stats. It may be hard to find such a place that also has a liberal atmosphere and strong LGBT community. The University of Oregon costs over $40K at OOS rates. It meets the full, demonstrated financial need of less than 10% of students, and on average meets only 60% of need. Those are overall averages; the numbers for OOS students presumably are worse.
The University of Southern California (despite its high sticker price) was a good suggestion. It has a strong accounting program, as well as a big Greek and D1 sports scene. It claims to meet 100% of demonstrated need … but run the online net price calculator and talk to your family about covering the estimated costs. Don’t overlook travel expenses. It would be a reach for both admission and costs.
) but their business school is good, Eugene is a small town, LGBT friendly, and you’d be a big fish in a small pond. All the best.