Tell me where I SHOULDN'T apply

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I hope this is my last college list thread... this time my goal is to potentially eliminate some colleges. I've had my "final" list for about a week now and I've been satisfied with it... I've gone through and double-checked my notes on each school, read as much as I could on them, got the CollegeGuide.org guides, etc. and felt pretty solid about it. But today I went through and added up the application fees for all 13 schools and it's almost $800... which kinda put everything into perspective.</p>

<p>I am in a bit of a predicament in that 1) I am a pretty decent student (not as great as the cream of the crop of CollegeConfidential) who wants a quality education and I think I have a shot at some pretty tough schools (I was told, on this forum, to "aim higher" from my original list of not-too-prestigious schools)... but 2) have a great need for financial aid (will not be applying through QuestBridge because of the obligation to attend if matched with a partner college). Because of my need, I think I need to apply to more top-notch (i.e. Ivy League) schools because of the aid they'll give if I can manage to get accepted.</p>

<p>My stats are as follows: </p>

<p>From: Florida</p>

<p>ACT: Composite - 35, 36R, 35E, 34S, 33M, 9 Essay, 32 Essay+Writing combined.</p>

<p>GPA: Unweighted - 3.94, Weighted - 5.58
Class Rank: Top 5% of about 500 students</p>

<p>AP Classes:
Bio (5)
World History (4)
Psychology (5)
US History (4)
Calc AB (4)
English Lang (5)</p>

<p>Senior schedule includes: AP Spanish, AP Enviro, AP Calc BC, AP Eng Lit, and some electives.</p>

<p>EC's:
-FBLA (9, 10, 11, 12), VP of FBLA (11), Pres of FBLA (12)
--- (Have won awards at the district level every year, but could never afford to attend state-level competition)
--- Made huge achievements as a leader of the club, such as successfully recruiting enough to make our school's chapter the largest in the district (which consists of about 13-15 other high schools I believe) and winning chapter of the year twice in a row; also helped facilitate our club's achievement of having the most winners at district competition.</p>

<p>-Spanish National Honor Society (10, 11, 12)
--- (Monthly reading to Hispanic first-graders)
-National Honor Society (12)
-National Technical Honor Society (11, 12)
-Mu Alpha Theta (11, 12)
-Rho Kappa (11, 12)
--- Occasional social studies tutoring
-Florida Public Service Association (11, 12)
-Senior Council (12)</p>

<p>-Community service hours in areas related to the elderly; children; poverty/hunger/cancer awareness and fundraising (e.g. Feeding America, Relay for Life, etc.).
-I've been building and maintaining websites that generate income since 7th grade.
-I participated in two highly-selective week-long leadership camps this summer (~130 hours total, combined)... one of which changed my life; my app essay describes this change and how it impacted me.
-I intend and plan to hold a job through my senior year.
-Hispanic male.
-EFC = $0</p>

<p>Basically, I'd like to know which schools are ideal choices (IF ANY) to remove from my list (these are all schools I'm "comfortable" with and feel would fit in if accepted... so the only factor I'm really working with is whether or not it's even worth applying to):</p>

<p>University of Florida (top choice)
Georgetown University (top choice)
University of Miami (potential top choice, pending visit)
Stanford University (dream reach)
Vanderbilt University
Yale University (dream reach)
Dartmouth College
Duke University
Columbia University
University of Virginia
Florida State University (safety)
University of Alabama (safety + tuition scholarship for my ACT)
University of South Florida (ultimate super-safety)</p>

2

<p>You don’t need…U South Florida</p>

<p>You have several elites/ivies on your list. Tell us more about what you want in a school because it’s possible that some of those top schools aren’t right for you.</p>

<p>What is your major?</p>

<p>Since you are a male URM, you do have a good chance at the elites, so maybe we can figure out which ones are more “you.”</p>

<p>Are you a likely NMSF?</p>

3

<p>No, I am not a NMSF or anywhere close. Major: neuroscience; potential dual major would be secondary education.</p>

<p>I’m honestly not too picky about what I’m looking for in a college. I just want the “college experience” to put it simply. It can be large or medium-sized (both campus size and enrollment, that is); I like very picture-esque campuses with plenty of trees and nature but I also don’t mind modern campuses with newer buildings and such. I generally would prefer a school in a suburban or urban area (for example, the fact that Georgetown is in DC is one of its biggest draw-factors for me).</p>

4

<p>I think the formula is something like 2 safeties, 2 matches, and 2 reaches. Maybe 3, but you definitely have a lot of schools on your list. I can sympathize as I had trouble shortening my college list as well. Remember that you can only go to one school right now. $800 is way too much to spend on college apps, especially considering you will have to send in test scores and transcripts as well. You seem like a shoe-in for FSU, UF, and UM. I say get rid of USF and from there rank your schools according to the formula. Only apply to the schools that you know you would LOVE to be at and also have a decent shot at getting in. Many of your schools are so-called “ivy quality.” Think about why you wanna go to those schools. For instance, Stanford and Yale are completely different. What is truly your driving force for wanting to go to both of them? My guess would probably be that its for the name and that’s okay! But just know that most of those schools are a crapshoot so you shouldn’t waste too much of your time and money on those apps. apply to some ivies if you like, but only those ones that you really love.</p>

5

<p>I’d cut Columbia, too. Even if you get in and get good financial aid, NYC can be a frustrating place if you’re on a tight budget. Not much in the way of “trees and nature” either.</p>

<p>Some of your reaches probably have a tougher time than others attracting Hispanics with credentials as good as yours. I’d go with the ones that have a smaller % of Hispanics.</p>

6

<p>NOTE - I don’t know most of these schools, so I’m making no comment about whether they are academic or financial safeties for you. I’m not answering your question directly, but talking about application strategies to maximize your ROI. You can save some of that $800 by selective timing of applications. </p>

<p>Also, doesn’t the Common App allow fee waivers in some cases?</p>

<p>Yes, Ivy-caliber schools are a great choice for you with your stats and their need-based aid. That means lots of apps, unfortunately.</p>

<p>Your list looks safety-heavy (I’m guessing) - do you really need that many safeties? Are all of them financial as well as academic safeties? Do you qualify for FL’s Bright Futures program (I don’t know what it is and don’t wanna know, but I see people talking about it)? If so, could whatever that provides be a financial safety as well as academic safety?</p>

<p>Apply to as many Early Action and Rolling Admission schools as early as possible (except for Safety Overkill), and hold off on the RD schools until you get accepted/rejected in December. Georgetown is EA and it’s a top choice - does it meet need? Without too many loans? If so, you could be finished in mid-December when they accept you!</p>

<p>Don’t apply to anything that is going to require you to take out massive loans (yay, no NYU on your list!).</p>

<p>If you get into anything EA or rolling, don’t apply to your ultimate super-safety at all unless you like it better than others (or it offers $$ that you won’t get elsewhere). I’m not researching deadlines, but if you consider it an ultimate super-safety I’m guessing you can apply late as well. If you’re guaranteed admission and $$ to U of Alabama, then it’s the only safety you need.</p>

<p>My son had about 12 schools on his list, but after EA and rolling decisions came in, he had good enough choices that he ended up never applying to four of them and saved the hassle and expense of four applications.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Your boards and grades along with your URM status make you an excellent candidate for any school in the country. If I were you, and assuming your financial status is somewhat precarious, I would apply for fee waivers (you should get at least 4 of them). </p>

<p>In addition, if you have any interest in math/science, you might still be able to apply for the Venture Scholars program, which provides info on multicultural recruitment and fee waivers. Here’s the link [Ventures</a> Scholars Program - <a href=“http://www.venturescholar.org%5B/url%5D”>www.venturescholar.org](<a href=“http://www.venturescholar.org/index.php]Ventures”>http://www.venturescholar.org/index.php)</a> (and, fyi, Stanford offers fee waivers to program members).</p>

<p>You might also consider contacting colleges directly to see if they offer free visiting program or fee waivers for URMs. While it’s often difficult to get up to date info on these programs, you could contact the person in charge of the previous year’s programs. For example, Vanderbilt has a MOSAIC weekend in February that top URM applicants are invited to–you could contact the woman in charge of last year’s program, Brandi Smith, <a href=“mailto:brandi.smith@vanderbilt.edu”>brandi.smith@vanderbilt.edu</a>, to see if anything is offered in the fall or if there are any fee waiver programs (she is also an admissions officer).</p>

<p>You could also take a look at this list, although it’s not up to date and I don’t know how accurate it is. </p>

<p>[Get</a> Me To College – For High School CollegeboundsFall 2010 Diversity College Weekends-Many are free!!!](<a href=“http://getmetocollege.org/hs/fall-2010-diversity-college-weekends-many-are-free]Get”>http://getmetocollege.org/hs/fall-2010-diversity-college-weekends-many-are-free)</p>

8

<p>Would UF be an admissions and cost safety for you (based on admissions stats and typical financial aid offers for EFC = $0 students)? If so, then if it is one of your top choices, you can probably eliminate most of your list.</p>

9

<p>I agree with not wanting to be in NYC (Columbia) if not having much extra money. You may feel left out when everyone else is going out to some event or something on the weekends. </p>

<p>Does anyone know which elites are really the most generous in regards to COA/personal expenses/travel money, etc? I know that they would all “meet need”…but if some kind of give a low estimate for travel/personal expenses, etc, then that could be a problem for a 0 EFC kid.</p>

<p>**
BTW…you are FAFSA EFC 0. Do you have a non-custodial parent? If so, that could also be an issue.**</p>

10

<p>Warning: these are mostly my opinions, corroborated by facts I’m looking up with College Navigator</p>

<p>IMO, throw out all your safeties that aren’t U of Alabama. I don’t want to see the day when a student of your caliber gets rejected from there, and if it’s a financial safety as well with the ACT scholarship, I don’t see any reason to have FSU or U of South of Florida. Neither are likely affordable for a 0 EFC student, either, at least without considerable merit aid. I know you say U of Miami is one of your top choices, but again, unless you think you can get $20,000 in merit aid yearly from them, you’re not going to be able to afford it, so that’s another one you probably want to drop.</p>

<p>U of Florida is a VERY good choice, so definitely keep it. It’s on the lower end of your matches, and its cheap price + good financial aid should make it very easy for you to pay the bills. Only problem is the size, but if you’re not worried about it, it’s a good choice.</p>

<p>Georgetown is a high match/low reach, and while they have good financial aid, it might still be a stretch for you to pay for it. Probably keep it on your list if you like it, since it’s not totally unrealistic.</p>

<p>Yale and Stanford are both obvious reaches, but they would both be affordable if you got in, and your stats just might be able to do it. Definitely keep both.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt is a small reach, but it would be affordable. Keep.</p>

<p>Dartmouth is a reach, but affordable. I’m personally not as much a fan as the above, so if you need to cut reaches, this would be where I’d personally say to start.</p>

<p>Duke is an excellent school, but you might be a bit pressed to pay for it, and it is another reach. Another one you might want to cut.</p>

<p>Columbia is a good reach but affordable if you manage it.</p>

<p>UVA is a good match and very affordable.</p>

11

<p>Your stats should easily get you $24,000 in merit aid from U of Miami. I would keep it on the list.</p>

12

<p>The universities below are not worth applying to:
Florida State University (safety)
University of Alabama (safety + tuition scholarship for my ACT)
University of South Florida (ultimate super-safety)</p>

13

<p>

</p>

<p>If UF or some other high choice school is a safety for both admissions and cost, then two or all three of these can be eliminated (as can much of the rest of the list – no point in applying to any school that one would not choose over one’s safeties). But if no other school in the list is a safety, then whichever of these are safety for both admissions and cost needs to be retained, unless the OP is willing to go to community college as a safety.</p>

14

<p>The Univ of Florida is a safety for the OP. It is rediculously easy to get into, especially compared to the stats the OP is representing he/she has achieved.</p>

15

<p>Thank you everybody for the input and suggestions… it’s greatly appreciated! I’ve “officially” nixed UVA, USF, and and Columbia from the list. I crossed UVA because if I manage to get in there, I’ll most likely be getting into UF as well and honestly don’t see myself choosing UVA over UF, so there’s no point in applying. USF is essentially pointless I’ve realized, as I have no doubt I’m getting into FSU and if FSU and USF are the only acceptances I get, there’s no question I’d choose FSU (who wouldn’t?)… so USF is also pointless. As for Columbia, NY just seems so “out there” in terms of where it’s located (thinking climate, etc.) and (as mentioned) the expense of NY. I don’t want to be limited to on-campus events and such wherever I go, and obviously money doesn’t come easily so shows and stuff would probably be out of the question other than very occasionally. </p>

<p>Alabama doesn’t even have a neuroscience undergrad program, so it’s almost pointless to apply there… I just feel “bad” throwing away the opportunity of a full-tuition scholarship… :o</p>

<p>As for Miami, they have institutional merit aid which I think I may have a shot at, but who knows. It’s a good, private in-state school, so I don’t want to miss out on seeing what kind of offer they may pitch. I don’t intend on taking it off my list unless I absolutely hate what I see when I tour on Thursday. </p>

<p>This is probably a horrible line of logic, but a few of the colleges on my list require SAT subject tests, while some also “highly suggest” them. I haven’t taken any, and based on my practice test scores, I’m going to need some serious prep to brush up on them (except maybe math)… so perhaps I should just forget about subject tests altogether and nix the colleges they’re required for (Dartmouth, Columbia)? Stanford and Georgetown “recommend” them, which now poses this question: How likely is Stanford for me as it is (without subject tests), and how much would decent scores really improve my app/chances? Same question with Georgetown… </p>

<p>Part of my current problem is picturing myself out-of-state. Up until I actually visited campuses, I envisioned myself moving somewhere new, somewhere big, far away from home, doing my own thing. But now I’m starting to lose that vision… I think I’d be perfectly content 3hrs away from home at the University of Florida. But then my desire for a “prestigious name” kicks in (mainly why I’m afraid to let Georgetown off my list, also because it’s in DC which I LOVE), and I all of a sudden want to apply to these reach top-schools… which yes, I may have a shot at, but am I really gonna move out there? And despite my HS achievements, will I actually be able to keep up with the hard work these top universities require? I’ve never really had to put much effort into school to get where I am today… it’s very much natural ability. I CAN work hard when needed, but I’m not experienced in having to apply that work ethic. </p>

<p>Right now, all things considered, I can see myself ultimately being torn between UF and Georgetown. I plan to apply early action to Georgetown so I’ll have my decision in December. If accepted, that will give me about 5 months to decide if it’s truly a fit for me, I can visit the campus again, maybe stay in DC for a week or so and see what winter is like there (I have NEVER been out of Florida except for a one-week trip to DC this summer, read: 17 (almost 18) years minus one week of my life has been in Florida). If rejected, then I would just have to focus on the other random top schools I’m applying to and compare them with UF to ultimately decide.</p>

16

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</p>

<p>You’re right, it is a horrible line of logic. The schools that require–and “recommend” means require–SATIIs are the ones that will give you the very best FA if you get in, in addition to being the best schools on your list. (BTW, you need SATIIs for Yale, too.) You just need 2 good scores: anything over 700 would probably be fine. MathII and whatever science you took last year are the most likely bets. Spanish would be okay, although possibly not as desirable since you are Hispanic. You have plenty of time to get the study guides and brush up in time for the October test date.</p>

17

<p><a href=“BTW,%20you%20need%20SATIIs%20for%20Yale,%20too.”>quote</a>

[/quote]
Not since I took the ACT +Writing, I don’t think…
[Standardized</a> Testing for Freshman Applicants | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/standardized-testing]Standardized”>http://admissions.yale.edu/standardized-testing)

</p>

<p>

Definitely planning on math, I’m not fluent in Spanish, and I didn’t take science last year… my last science was AP Bio in 10th grade, but I got a 5 on the exam and Bio is my favorite subject of all-time, so I’m sure I can get myself up to par for that. But you’re right, I guess I do have time to get it done and done well. Thanks. :)</p>

18

<p>I don’t think you need both FSU and USF.</p>

<p>My son, a rising Florida senior, has high scores like you, and FSU is his safety.</p>

<p>Other than that, I think you are wise to apply to a lot of schools, notwithstanding the aggregate amount of the application fee, because the acceptance rates at the top schools are so low.</p>

19

<p>I don’t have any suggestions on colleges to cut, because I’m having trouble with it myself, but about cutting application fees - you can apply to colleges through Questbridge through Regular Decision instead of the match program (that’s what I’m doing, I couldn’t possibly commit to one school). Questbridge waives all application fees, so that would cut fees for Dartmouth, Yale, Stanford and Columbia that I can think off. Then you could apply for fee waivers from the Common App which would also help.</p>

20

<p>

Really? I didn’t know fees are waived even if you aren’t applying through the match program (which I also am not doing because of the commitment, since none of the partner colleges are my top choices).</p>