<p>MasterYster, Do you think your family qualifies for financial aid? What level of income and assets are you talking about?</p>
<p>Well according to the Financial aid calculators, I would have to pay a tutition of 18,000 — 24,000 if I went to an ivy league. But I’m not sure if I’ll get something better or worse when I actually apply</p>
<p>Well, even if you win a full tuition scholarship somewhere, if you have to pay room and board, you would likely still end up paying $10K or so a year. How much can your family pay and have you looked at your own state flagship to see if they have some large merit awards?</p>
<p>I will be applying to my state school’s full tuition scholarship as well, but its very competitive as well.</p>
<p>I am pretty sure my family can afford somewhere around the teens comfortably</p>
<p>My son, a white male, received a full ride to Maryland (Banneker Key scholarship). He’s a freshman now and he’s loving life at College Park. His stats were similar to yours, though you have a higher total SAT and also more awards. My son’s ECs were primarily Latin- and music-based. </p>
<p>Just make sure you apply by the priority deadline (11/1), and then you’ll receive a letter in the mail if you’re selected for Banneker Key. I think you will be, especially if you live in Maryland.</p>
<p>My son received a lot of merit money at various places ($30,000/year at Case, for instance), but the full ride was the best deal. Also, he was able to transfer all of his AP credits to Maryland, so he started classes at nearly junior status–definitely a plus, because he’s getting a double degree (Computer Science & Classics). </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>^Wow thats great JenPam. He sounds like he absolutely deserved it! I appreciate you adding this insight! </p>
<p>It seems like his ECs must definitely have helped him. I would love to get in the same position your son is in, it sounds like he’s on a great path for his life.</p>
<p>You need to look early at the admissions calendars for schools and watch for early deadlines and separate applications and procedures for some of the scholarships from the most selective schools. I remember Georgia Tech’s Presidential did require a rather extensive app and it and the app had to be turned in quite early. Some of these school may require a nomination from your school, so make sure you talk to your counselor and let him know if you have an interest in such programs and get them on the ball if they are not active participants. You may also have to travel for interviews and the such for some of these awards.</p>