<p>Hi CC,</p>
<p>This year has gone by so quickly, and deadlines are approaching. I'm currently attending a two year, with plans to transfer to a four year for Fall 2014. There are definitely a few colleges that I'm strongly interested in, but I want to be as open minded. If anoyone could suggest places that might "fit" I would really appreciate it. I want to study Political Science or International Relations.</p>
<p>My GPA is a 3.51. It will increase marginally to a 3.57 at the end of this semester, and I'll have 47 credits. By the time I transfer, I should have between 60 and 62. My grades have shown an upward trend, and this will be my second 4.0 semester GPA.</p>
<p>Stronger aspects of my application will include any form of supplemental writing, experience as a student-athlete, and community involvement. I work with multiple committees on a local and state level, hold a position of leadership in a student organization, and have recent volunteering experience outside of an academic setting. </p>
<p>I am far from the perfect college applicant, and I'm worried about my weaknesses. My first half of high school was spent in a place with competitive admission. I was homeschooled for part of the second half, then I got a GED. I am a "traditional" college student, and I have attended classed as a full time student since beginning as a freshman in 2012, until this semester. Recently, I made the choice to become a part time student because of medical reasons, so I'll have a few 'W's on my transcript. I should be able to submit a special circumstances letter with an application, if necessary. </p>
<p>Oh, because I have no sort of debt from college so far, I do not want to overlook colleges/universities that are expensive. The state I live in doesn't exactly have a reputation for really helping students with affordability. There are high school students with excellent ACT scores and spotless academic records, and sometimes they do not receive merit scholarships here. Since I'm a transfer, it definitely won't be any easier for me! So I am open to any suggestions, regardless of location. Any women's colleges are welcome, as well.</p>
<p>How much can your family afford to pay?</p>
<p>Have you discussed your situation with the transfer counselor at your CC, and if so, what is that person’s advice?</p>
<p>@happymomof1 my parents agreed to cosign on any loans that I need to take for anything not covered by financial aid or merit scholarships. I’m in Phi Theta Kappa, so there’s promise of some money there. From the estimated cost calculators we’ve done so far, it looks like most private schools will cost less than public colleges, unless transfer merit scholarships are a possibility.</p>
<p>I’ve talked to three advisors at my CC and I’m honestly at a loss. That’s why I came to this site. I know that ultimately, this is a decision that I have to make. This is so different from the process of college selection at my first high school, though.</p>
<p>I would NOT recommend taking out more than the Stafford level of loans (~$30k). Anything above that is excessive and will keep you in the poor house for a long time. You have some good directional Us in IL which are less expensive than UIUC - SIU and Northern IL.</p>
<p>Thank you! 30k sounds like a decent place to cap, since I’ll only have to pay for two years. I have been admitted into one state U, but honestly? I’m terrified of being just a number. My dream college is intimate and as academically challenging. </p>
<p>I figured out during my freshman year that transferring to an Ivy is an unrealistic goal. At first I was pretty disheartened, but there are so many options out there. If anyone reading this could suggest some LACs or “quirky” colleges such as Reed or New College of Florida that I have a chance with, that would be so helpful. Also, I know there is a Women’s college board, but I didn’t want to double post. Any suggestions regarding that are more than welcome.</p>
<p>Right now, my dream colleges are Wellesley, Barnard, and American University. I plan on applying to two public Us in Virginia, simply because their admissions cousnlers have been super helpful, and my dream is to eventually work in DC.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree re: limiting the total you borrow to $30,000 over 4 years. The maximum you can borrow junior and senior years aere $7,500 each.</p>
<p>For maximum financial aid, look to the Pacific Northwest and the South. You can include the Dakotas, MN, and WI or MI schools too – such as Wisconsin Superior, Alma, or Marquette – or less urban NY state, from SUNY Albany to Ithaca, or St Mike’s in Vermont. UMN- Morris has no out of state extra charge and UMN Twin Cities is fairly cheap OOS. For political science, Willamette is good, too. Add DePaul in Chicago of course. Macalester in MN, AU in DC but also Trinity Washington as a safety.</p>
<p>These schools would be matches or safeties.</p>
<p>Eckerd College in St. Petersburg is quirky. I am not sure of how much merit aid they give to transfer students, but they give a nice package to freshman.</p>
<p>**admissions counselors. (Sorry, touchscreen phone problems!)</p>
<p>MYOS1634 - I’m very familiar with DePaul, and if I have to stay in IL that is definitely the plan. Alma is in the nicest little town! I actually considered Marquette in high school, and I know that the law school library is really nice. NY has so many options, and the majority of my friends went to college in that direction, so thank you for those two suggestions. I definitely plan on learning more about Willamette. Part of me has fallen in love with the idea of transferring somewhere in the Pacific Northwest because it seems beautiful up there. I was considering UW, Gonzaga, and Whitman for a while, but I’m not sure how good of a match those three would be. I’ll look into Macalester and Trinity, as well as the two UMNs. St. Michael’s looks absolutely wonderful. Thanks again! </p>
<p>ECmotherx2 - It’s only fair that freshman get more merit aid, but thank you so much! St. Petersburg is only about four hours from Miami, so I think that is definitely something to look into.</p>