<p>In other words Im getting all these acceptance letters from college however no scholarships or none big enough to make the school affordable. Temple University, which was originally my top choice only gave me $2500, then Ursinus which was my true safety in both cost and getting accepted gave me none, which I am in disbelief in, since my brother with lower stats than me got a $13,000, to receive none has truly shocked me. I really am unable to afford most colleges, can anyone tell me as to why Im not getting anything? I am applying to Lehigh ED in hopes of a good financial aid package. Duquesne seems to be the most viable option since they gave $12,000 and my brother told me their financial aid package is decent, but being Hindu I do not know if I would fit into this school, especially the theology courses</p>
<p>Applying anoywhere ED is a bad idea when financial aid is a factor. It is important to reconsider that strategy. I always recommend to apply to schools similar to what you like, but apply in different regions of the country. If you are a Northeastern kid, look south or midwest. I didn’t bother to look at your stats, but it is impossible to compare packages that were received a few years ago. by now, colleges have lived a couple fo years with their new financial realities and the alumni haven’t yet started giving up to pre-recession levels. Schools will not be extra generous with financial aid unless you are a real catch (meaning well above the stats of their current students). Are you willing to drop your expectations for cash?</p>
<p>I think you need to stop considering ‘possibly getting merit aid’ as a financial safety. You have a few days left to apply to somewhere that you KNOW you can afford, even if you get 0 aid. Look into public schools.</p>
<p>You said earlier in the month that you’d apply to Penn State by the end of the week. Did you do that? Penn State and Pitt are good bets for you; the state universities in PA may be even better options cost-wise. It’s going to be critical to have a safety application that’s safe for BOTH admission and affordability.</p>
<p>You need to look not at how much they’re “giving” you in aid, but at how much you’re still going to owe in tuition each year. That’s the key number.</p>
<p>^ Not how much tuition - how much the cost of attendance (to include room, board, etc) will be.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help guys as for stats this is where I am situated at:
Basically my GPA is 4.0+ weighted, probably 3.7-3.8 unweighted
Ranked top 5% in class (12/486)
Very rigorous schedule, senior Schedule:
AP Calculus
AP Biology
AP Physics
AP English
AP Psychology
Honors Spanish V</p>
<p>And here comes the part that kills me:
SAT 1890 (680 M, 600CR, 610W)
SAT II: 680 Chemistry, 670 US History
ACT: 28 (32M, 29R, 26W, 26S)</p>
<p>Extracurricular:
Kid to Kid 9th Grade-(Drug and Alcohol Awareness Group)
National Junior Honor Society
National Honor Society
Football- (9-10)
District Champions, State Semifinalists
Track-(9-10)
2nd at Districts
Future Business Leaders of America-(3rd at Regionals), (10-12)
Science Olympiad-(11-12/2nd at regionals) Senior Captain
Academic Challenge Team-(2nd at states) Co-captain
Spanish Club-(11-12)
World Quest (11th Grade, 1st at Regionals, Junior Captain)</p>
<p>Volunteer/Service Work:
Volunteering at local hospital</p>
<p>Honors and Awards:
Top ten percent award
High Honor Roll (9-12)</p>
<p>In reference to Pitt and Penn State, I did get accepted into University of Pittsburgh which right now is my true safety, however I do not wish to put my family into debt whatsoever which was the reason why I tried so hard in school, so I wish to stray away from attending here, I wish to graduate undergrad somewhat debt free, because I wish to attend Medical School as well</p>