SENIOR looking for strong MATCHES...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I feel like every school I find is either a safety or a reach. I can't seem to find any matches. Help!?</p>

<p>State: Texas
Gender: Female
Race: White</p>

<p>GPA/Rank: 3.62; unsure of rank, but I should be just outside of the top 10%.</p>

<p>SAT (first attempt; retook, waiting on scores): M:560, CR:560, W:650 (1770 composite)
ACT (first attempt): M:25, R:25, W: 26, S: 24 (25 composite)</p>

<p>Courses:</p>

<p>9th grade-
Pre-AP Biology (B)
Pre-AP English I (A+)
World Geography (A+)
Algebra I (A)
Spanish II (took Spanish I 8th grade) (A-)</p>

<p>10th grade-
Chemistry (B+)
Pre-AP English II (A+)
Pre-AP World History (B+)
Geometry (A)
Spanish III (B)</p>

<p>11th grade-
Physics (B+)
AP English III (A+)
AP US History (A+)
AP European History (A+)
Algebra II (B)</p>

<p>12th grade-
AP Environmental Science (B+ so far)
AP English IV (A so far)
AP Economics (haven't started yet)
Dual Credit Government (summer class) (A+)
Pre-Calculus (B so far)
Intro Accounting (Dual Credit at local college) (A+ so far)</p>

<p>Extra-curricular activities:</p>

<p>Yearbook Staff (9- head photographer)
Newspaper Staff (11, 12- editor-in-chief)
Journalism Team (11-12- captain)
National Junior Honor Society (9)
National Honor Society (12, will be inducted in Spring)
Karate (9- purple belt)
Theater (9-10, did several productions)
Piano (9-12, National Piano Guild)
Volunteer organization 1 (9- trustee, 10-12)
Volunteer organization 2 (10-12- Manager)
Volunteer organization 3 (11-12)
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (11)
DECA (12)</p>

<p>I also have a ton of journalism awards.</p>

<p>I need a school where I can get a lot of need-based aid (my mom only makes about 25k/year). If there is not a school that I could get into where I could get that kind of aid, I need a school where I can get a lot of merit aid.</p>

<p>I would like to stay in the south, but that isn't a necessity. I need to be in/near a big city or nice college town.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>For need based aid you are in a good position. The thing is, you have to look at schools that will meet need. those are usually the most selective schools, harder to get into and you are competing with kids with strong gpa and scores for an admission spot. But once in you should get a good package. I wish your scores were a little higher they seem a little out of line with your grades. Are you going to retake or try ACT? Are you taking SAT II’s?</p>

<p>Here is a good article with schools to look at for full need, look up their accepted student stats to see how yours stack up, I’m not sure they are competitive for these schools but you may be in accepted range, they will look at your whole application package, and all you need is to get in:</p>

<p>[Colleges</a> That Claim to Meet the Full Financial Needs of Students - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/paying-for-college/2010/02/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-the-full-financial-needs-of-students.html]Colleges”>http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/paying-for-college/2010/02/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-the-full-financial-needs-of-students.html)</p>

<p>For merit, you want to look at schools where your stats will be in the top of the applicant pool. then you don’t just have to look at schools that meet full need. Your federal aid will help out a great deal and you can get merit to make up the rest. Keep researching. Here are some interesting possibles:
[Best</a> Colleges - Education - US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/most-merit-aid]Best”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/most-merit-aid)</p>

<p>I’m not so familiar with southern schools but I’m sure if you are patient some of the knowledgable people will help you.</p>

3

<p>Thanks so much! I do not plan on retaking the ACT. However, I might be taking some SAT II tests.</p>

4

<p>SAT IIs will not help you in getting some merit aid. SAT IIs are generally only needed for the most elite schools. You would be better off trying to raise the ACT or SAT I scores.</p>

5

<p>I just retook the SAT this past Saturday. I feel like I raised my scores quite a bit. I’m hoping for a 600-650 CR, 600 Math, and 700-ish Writing.</p>

<p>Based on my practice tests, I should have gotten somewhere in that area.</p>

6

<p>Bump? Anyone have suggestions?</p>

<p>Also, I plan to major in either communications (advertising), marketing, international business, or journalism.</p>

7

<p>[Undergraduate</a> Scholarships & Financial Aid | Converse College](<a href=“http://www.converse.edu/admission/undergraduate-admission/tuition-and-fees/scholarships-financial-aid]Undergraduate”>http://www.converse.edu/admission/undergraduate-admission/tuition-and-fees/scholarships-financial-aid)</p>

<p>[Majors</a> & Minors | Converse College](<a href=“http://www.converse.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/majors-minors]Majors”>http://www.converse.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/majors-minors)</p>

<p>I have always read great things about Converse in South Carolina, if you would consider a women’s college! Just a suggestion!</p>

8

<p>Until we get your SAT score, it’s hard to make recommendations.</p>

<p>Right now, an ACT 25 isn’t likely going to get you into the private schools that meet need.</p>

<p>Also, do you have a Non-Custodial Parent? If so, his income will also get counted at many of the schools that do meet need.</p>

<p>Since your income is low and ACT is modest, your best aid is probably going to be at a Texas state school because the state gives aid to low income and you’d get fed aid. The combined amounts will cover (or nearly cover) a state school.</p>

<p>Which state schools do you like? </p>

<p>Your rank is not high enough for TAMU or UT, but you could go to another UT and then transfer after a year or two.</p>

9

<p>I’s have to agree with mom2. You will have to focus on state schools.</p>

<p>Good aid means having the stats for the top schools that meet need or for the schools that give large amounts in merit aid. Depending on the new scores, you may not fall into either category leaving in state schools as your best option.</p>

<p>If you do get the scores up you should study the list of schools that meet 100% of need. You will probably have to abandon regional preference and focus on the few none highly selective schools on that list.</p>

10

<p>I’m applying to UT, A&M, SMU, TCU, Vanderbilt (I know it’s a reach) and maybe Wake Forest since I can go test-optional.</p>

<p>I’ve already been accepted at Alabama, Arkansas, and Mary Hardin-Baylor. I’m still waiting for a response from Baylor.</p>

<p>My non-custodial parent is in prison, so he has no income to contribute.</p>

11

<p>Congratulations on the Alabama and Arkansas and good luck on your other applications. Do you have a favorite or a few favorites on your current list? Just curious to see which schools you like and why.</p>

12

<p>Thanks! My favorite is Vanderbilt even though I know I have a very low shot at getting in. It’s in my favorite city (Nashville), has a very nice financial aid program, and places an emphasis on balance between work and play. I also like that community service is a large part of the Vanderbilt community. Plus, the campus is BEAUTIFUL.</p>

<p>Tied for second are Alabama and Texas.</p>

13

<p>L&L - If you like the city that much, keep in mind there are other less selective schools in Nashville that would likely be matches for you. Belmont and Lipscomb would both be good choices - you’re smack in the middle 50% at Belmont. Both have total costs of attendance in the $30k - $35k range, but give pretty decent aid.</p>

14

<p>Take a look at the Colleges That Change Lives. Several of them are in the South.</p>

<p>[CTCL</a> South Region | Colleges That Change Lives](<a href=“http://www.ctcl.org/colleges/south]CTCL”>Southwestern University – Colleges That Change Lives)</p>

15

<p>Loyola New Orleans! A fabulous school! Adjacent to Tulane. And a BETTER chance of getting in there, than Tulane. </p>

<p>University of Dallas as well.</p>

<p>Trinity College in Texas.</p>

<p>Get a copy of Barrons Directory or Petersens in Barnes and Noble or Borders. You don’t need to buy them, just sit and read them for an hour and make notes. Focus on states you want to live in/attend college, in descending order. </p>

<p>Match schools are not too different from safeties…but where you are CLEARLY in the 50-60th percentile of admitted students with your SAT/ACT scores. </p>

<p>Make sure you have excellent/outstanding recommendations. </p>

<p>Best of luck to you.</p>

16

<p>Wait, on another thread you said you had a “zero EFC”. </p>

<p>How are schools like Alabama, Arkansas & Mary-Hardin-Baylor going to treat your Zero EFC? As Mom2Collegekids has said before, if you have a Zero EFC, you must be very careful about where you apply! Your need may be met with a bunch of loans!</p>

17

<p>I agree with ghostbuster, three very good suggestions. If you do get your SAT’s up to the high 1800’s+, try Tulane. It would meet all your criteria, most likely.</p>

18

<p>Thanks for the suggestions, y’all. I’m looking into Texas State now. I know it’s no Ivy academically, but I’m thinking that it might be one of the most realistic of my choices. I know I can get in and I qualify for their “Bobcat Promise.” </p>

<p>I think I might apply just to see what happens.</p>

19

<p>I think ghostbuster meant Trinity University. Trinity College is in CT.</p>

<p>Anyhow, that ACT would pu you in the bottom 25% at TU.</p>