<p>HI- you may recognize me from my chances thread, in which case I hope you chanced me :).
So, most of my colleges are NYC colleges for convenience, and now I'm looking into broadening my horizons and finding a good fit for me. I'm leaving finances out of the equation for now as I really just want good fits.
This is my chance thread with my academic stats so far (thru 10th grade; I'm a rising junior): <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1385300-chance-very-sweet-person.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1385300-chance-very-sweet-person.html</a> so just look there for my stats and ECs so far (and maybe chance me w=for those while I'm at it!). To add to that, I will be the editor of my school literary journal this year.
Here is what I would like in a college:
Excellent academics (whether in the regular college or an honors college)
Very urban environment (or suburban campus very very close to urban environment)
Lots of research opportunities and internship opportunities
An on-campus Hillel House or Chabad House (basically Orthodox Jewish resources)
NOT a party school- more serious
Majors in as many as possible of these: psychology, educational psychology, child psychology, early childhood education- and a good history department (minor)
On-campus housing optional all four years (negotiable)
Merit aid, if possible (if not suggest anyway with indicator)
My family will not qualify for financial aid, in all probability. I'm not really sure.
Do these suggest anything to you? I'm very curious.
Thanks, all!</p>
<p>muhlenberg college, big hillel and kosher dinning.
great all around school…happy students, great campus etc… or brandeis university also not to shabby.</p>
<p>Muhlenberg is okay except it’s in Allentown, which I don’t exactly consider a big urban area (then again I’m a NYer so I’m biased), but I’ll look into it.
I’m not so sure why but my dad doesn’t really like Brandeis. Like, I remember we got a mailing from them and he told me he didn’t want me to go there. Idunno why…
Thanks so much!
Anyone else with two cents to add?</p>
<p>Tufts, Brandeis, B.U. - No merit aid at Tufts, only need based aid. B.U. and Brandeis have merit aid. </p>
<p>[Eliot-Pearson</a> Department of Child Development: Tufts University](<a href=“http://ase.tufts.edu/epcd/]Eliot-Pearson”>Homepage | Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study & Human Development)
[Department</a> of Education - Tufts University](<a href=“Homepage | Department of Education”>Homepage | Department of Education)
[Welcome</a> to the Tufts Hillel Web Site](<a href=“http://www.tuftshillel.org/]Welcome”>http://www.tuftshillel.org/)
etc…</p>
<p>Maybe American U would suit you?
It’s in a more suburban neighborhood of D.C.</p>
<p>Private, urban universities that award merit money include Chicago, Johns Hopkins, WUSTL, and Carnegie Mellon. However, these schools are so selective that you may not be competitive for much if any merit aid. Case Western and Tulane are somewhat less selective, private, urban universities that award merit aid. So does American University. </p>
<p>Barnard (like Columbia) does not give merit money at all, so even if you’re admitted it may cost more than your family wants to spend. There are very few other urban/suburban LACs that do grant merit scholarships and have the other features you seem to want. Macalester College is one. You aren’t likely to get a huge scholarship there (but maybe enough to bring the net cost down to an acceptable level.)</p>
<p>Public universities, even at full out of state prices, offer a broader selection of schools with urban/suburban environments and prices in the $25K-$45K range. Consider Pittsburgh or the University of Minnesota.</p>
<p>Thanks, BeanTownGirl (hmmm, a theme to your picks? 
) and DeskPotato! I’ll look into them…<br>
I like the look of AU and BU, Tufts not overmuch. Brandeis I explained above but I’m still going to look into it.
I really appreciate your help!</p>
<p>tk21769: That’s my big issue, finances, so for now I’m gathering a long list to turn into a shortlist once I figure out money. (That’s why I really want to get into Macaulay, as it’s got pretty much everything I want…) Chicago & WUSTL both look good, and Tulane because it’s in New Orleans which is cool and, like you said, I could probably get merit aid. In the meantime, though, I’m just looking for colleges that would be good fits.
Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Have you asked your parents how much they’ll pay each year since you won’t qualify for need-based aid? That answer will tell us how much merit you need.</p>
<p>You have Fordham on your list. That’s a Catholic Univ…is that ok?</p>
<p>Without your ACT or SAT scores it’s hard to say where you’d get a lot of merit.</p>
<p>m2ck: I don’t see why it being a Catholic college should matter, unless they preach religion during class or something :).
My mom went to a Catholic college and was taught in some classes by nuns… I don’t think anyone will care.
My PSAT score and PLAN score were in the linked thread, except they’re too low because they’re sophomore scores without a lot of my current math knowledge. When I retake the PSAT in October and take the SAT and ACT in May, I’ll get back to you.
My parents would love free, obviously :). But I think they want offers, and when they see they’ll decide. They haven’t really had a college talk with me yet, so I don’t know much about their finances except that we won’t qualify for financial aid.
Thanks, guys!</p>
<p>Hi, Hannahbanana.</p>
<p>Last time I checked, Philly was a major metropolis. Temple has an honors program, which a friend’s daughter loved. Yes for Hillel, strong education school and liberal arts, merit aid, lots of new housing, and participation in initiatives with other schools through Campus Philly. And, of course, Boltbus and Megabus stops, NJ transit connection, and Amtrak itself if you want to spend the money.</p>
<p>Philly’s cool! I’ll look into Temple. (It’s close to home, too, so that’s nice.) Thanks!</p>
<p>
The Ohio State University - Columbus (#15 Largest City in the country, Top-rated Psychology Program; Ave ACT score 28.5, Ave SAT score 1250)</p>
<p>**National Buckeye Scholarship for non-Ohio residents
**
Award amount</p>
<pre><code>$12,000 ($48,000 fouryear value)
Criteria
Ohio State is committed to enrolling a diverse and talented student population. The National Buckeye Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to non-Ohio students required to pay the out-of-state surcharge who are admitted to the Columbus campus for autumn semester. Those considered rank in the top 40 percent of their graduating classes and have ACT composite scores of 28 or higher or combined SAT Critical Reading and Math scores of 1260 or higher.
Notes:
Except where noted, the National Buckeye Scholarship can be combined with any other merit scholarships, as long as the combined total does not exceed the total cost of an Ohio State education.
This award is renewable for a maximum of eight semesters (or the equivalent) of full-time undergraduate enrollment, provided the recipient maintains a 2.5 or higher GPA (earned by no later than the end of the first year) and nonresident classification remains unchanged.
</code></pre>
<p>[Scholarships[/url</a>]</p>
<p>The Ohio State University: A Grand Institution </p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-4KpfAHlz0]The”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-4KpfAHlz0]The</a> Ohio State University: A Grand Institution - YouTube](<a href=“Merit-based scholarships - The Ohio State University”>Merit-based scholarships - The Ohio State University)</p>
<p>Best of Luck & Go Bucks!! :)</p>