<p>I am a rising junior looking to start compiling my college list. My most intense academic passions are mathematics and physics. In college, I hope to pursue these subjects more substantially both in and outside of the classroom- gaining knowledge and ability while simultaneously contributing to current theoretical research (however infinitesimal these contributions may be). I have an idea of the reach and match schools I'd like to apply to, but I've had more trouble coming up with some realistic safeties. I'd love it if anyone could suggest a few not-so-selective schools that nevertheless: </p>
<ol>
<li>Have excellent physics and mathematics departments, with emphasis on undergrad teaching. </li>
<li>Offer numerous research and mentorship opportunities to undergrads. </li>
<li>Have good grad school placement and phd production. </li>
</ol>
<p>It would also be a draw if the school offered special scholarships or opportunities to STEM majors or something. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance! </p>
<p>Addendum: If you need a particular question on my academic stats answered before you make suggestions, just let me know and I'll answer it :) </p>
<p>Financial stuff: It’s hard for me to get specific ATM as I haven’t really looked into this too much yet or discussed it with my parents. I know that I will need financial aid and that merit aid would also be huge. Vague and unhelpful, I know. I’ll try to add more detail later. </p>
<p>Academic stuff: 4.0 UW, 1st in class so far. Very small school so that means almost nothing. Have not taken the SATs yet but I predict I’ll do well enough; my freshman year I took the PSATs and got a 226. Aiming for a 2400 for sure. Will probably be a national merit scholar semifinalist, unless something really unexpected happens. Took two AP’s self study last year (school doesn’t offer them), planning on taking 6 this year. Will be taking many college physics and math courses junior and senior year, principal has told me this will be unprecedented in terms of the level of difficulty of coursework at my school. Will be starting research in the fall with an atomic and nuclear physics prof at a nearby college. Also currently trying to lock down an internship at a particle physics laboratory, working with an accelerator, so we’ll see how that pans out. Aside from that my EC’s are pretty average: a few clubs, a varsity sport, some leadership stuff but nothing major etc etc. However, I am currently filing a patent for a recent idea of mine- don’t want to say anything about it yet, of course - so that could be a hook if it goes through. I will be participating in an upcoming regional science fair as well and my teacher says I have good shot at being named the ISEF delegate. </p>
<p>So there you have it: largely unimpressive and brimming with comma splices. I hope it gives some insight, though, into what constitutes a “safety” in my case. </p>
<p>As for the other thread- thank you for pointing it out! I actually saw it earlier, but it seemed to me most of the discussion centered around a personal detail from the question. So I would make another post </p>
<p>Depending on how much money actually is available, your in-state public schools, and some lower-cost-for-out-of-state public schools may also be within your price range. What is your state of residency?</p>
<p>Talk to your parents. Ask them how much they can pay each year. If they say that they dont know, then ask questions like: Can you contribute $1000 a month? no? $500 a month? try different figures to get an answer.</p>
<p>If you are saying that merit has to be huge, then that either means that you are low income or your family has a good income, but cant pay much. Which one makes a big difference. </p>
<p>Okay, thanks everyone for responding. Here are my answers:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>As I said before, my parents are pretty solidly middle class. The problem, though, is that my dad has some very severe health problems and has had several extremely expensive surgeries- not to mention the cost of medication- which limits how much my parents can contribute to my education. The thing is, I’m not sure if colleges will see that and adjust for that in their financial aid- which is why I’m reliant on merit aid at the moment. I’m not sure exactly how much my parents would be able to contribute- they’ve mentioned that my grandparents have some money saved away, though. I’ll try to talk to them about it and update later. Thanks for the suggestion </p></li>
<li><p>Unimpressive for College Confidential, that is. The amount of academic achievement on the site is insane and when put in this context, my stats really aren’t that great. I’m sorry if you felt it was a humble brag, AnnieBeats, but compared to those of the students usually on here, I think they are genuinely unimpressive. Anyway, thanks for pointing it out and vocalizing it- it’s definitely valid and I can see why you would feel that way. I can promise you, though, that I’m certainly not trying to be obnoxious- if anything, I’m just a little insecure after scrolling through soooo many academic profiles that were incredible-beyond-words, replete with international/national awards and multiple publications (both of which I currently lack). </p></li>
<li><p>I live in NJ. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>And thanks ucbalumnus, for your suggestions! The merit scholarship list is quite an invaluable resource </p>
<p>From the list, I’m wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the physics and math departments at RIT, Northeastern, or Fordham? Thanks in advance </p>
<p>Solidly middle class in NJ can still mean a highish income since it is expensive to live there. An income of $125k may seem “solidly middle class” in NJ, but it is a highish income with a high EFC.</p>
<p>How much of your dad’s medical costs havent been covered by insurance? </p>
<p>EFC can be somewhat adjusted, but the adjustment is never as much as you’d think. First there is a formula that assumes that some % (10%??) of income will be subtracted from non-covered medical costs. So, if income is 100k, and uncovered medical expenses are $12k, then 10k will get subtracted with $2k remaining. Then of the $2k, a calculation is applied (cents on the dollar) and then that is subtracted from EFC. So, not a generous formula if I have this right (Kelsmom please chime in)</p>
<p>Once you tell us how much your parents can pay each year, and provide an approx income (doesnt have to be exact), we’ll be able to give you suggestions.</p>
<p>Fair about the $ question. Unfortunately, I don’t have much access to more info about all this right now (I’m away for the summer). I think most of my dad’s surgeries have been covered by insurance- but since all of his surgeries have cost in the tens of thousands of dollars range, paying a minority of the cost out of pocket is still a big deal. </p>
<p>Family income (right now) is around what you estimated (~100,000, I’d say). I guess this is more like upper middle class but as you said, given NJ expenses it seems like less. My dad has talked, though, about going on disability before I leave for college… which would mean an income decrease. I would say, as things stand, they could strive to chip in ~8,000 a year (this would be variable if he went on disability). Then my grandparents (on both sides) could probably also contribute, as they’ve all been saving for me and my brother’s college for a while (though nothing fancy, i.e. not a college fund or anything). So I would say- I can probably get 12,000- 14,000 a year. The rest would have to be a combo of financial and merit aid.</p>
<p>As for the suggestions: I will definitely look into the presidential scholarship at Rutgers, thanks for the suggestion I know they have an excellent physics and math department.</p>
<p>I looked at Lawrence University and it definitely looks cool! Especially the theoretical vs. experimental track option in physics, and the laser lab. And they seem to offer merit scholarships, which is great. </p>
<p>mom2collegekids, I’m not yet a junior- just completed sophomore year I will taking the PSATs in the fall so I still have a chance at being a NMF (and a fair one, I’d say.) I changed some info about the cost of the surgeries to err on the conservative side about cost, as I don’t really have much info at the moment apart from the scattered conversations I’ve heard my parents have- we haven’t really discussed paying for college yet, as you can probably tell. </p>
<p>Oops, never mind, turns out the typo thing was directed at someone else Sorry. </p>
<p>Lol no, I wish it was I will try to aim for a 240 (perfect score) this year though, for sure. I took the freshman one with minimal preparation and I’m gonna do some serious studying next month, so hopefully I’ll be able to improve at least enough to break the 230-barrier. </p>
- so that could be a hook if it goes through. I will be participating in an upcoming regional science fair as well and my teacher says I have good shot at being named the ISEF delegate. </p>