At least make sure you pay attention to the barest necessity of academic fit: available majors.
Re “Is there any way to change the CSS once you’ve submitted it, or would I have to add more schools for $15 each?”, unfortunately no.
Well, you can change it according to each school, but once it’s submitted to a particular school, it can’t be changed. Check everything twice, then print out and pause for a day, then go back to check a third time from the print out and correct anything before submitting.
I’ve been incredibly busy this past week guys, so sorry I haven’t had a chance to keep y’all updated, thanks for all the advice do far though!
But for a quick recap, heres what I did this past week:
Of course I couldn’t have made it this far without you guys and especially a few people, such as @MYOS1634, @Lindagaf, and @gearmom which have been providing step-by-step support regarding both information, and any of my essay/supplemental/additional writing advice, so thanks a ton!
@kalons Haha, always good to hear/get support from another student going through this process!
I checked out Tulane, and it doesn’t seem to give good need-based aid for whatever reason, and I’m not sure a larger school like that would be a good fit, I’ll check again. Colorado College though is definitively interesting, with a net price of $5100 for me, and an EA boost, but the application is due one week from today, and there’s several supplemental and additional writing. Thanks for both suggestions though, I do love me that EA acceptance rate boost, and I’ll make sure to keep you in mind in case i need someone to talk to, thats in pretty much the same position as me, haha. Thanks for the support!
@prezbucky Definately always important, luckily political science is given as a major at pretty much all schools, but I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.
@Politipotamus Ok then ouch, so I’ll have to send another $16 profile to every other school that requires it? I guess it may be worth it in the long-term though. Do schools have any leeway in regards to submitting after you’re admitted, since it’s mainly for highly selective schools to give great aid.
I have a ton of stuff left to do, rework my Common App, do supplementals, and start demonstrating interest as much as possible to these schools, as well as making sure all my materials actually get to these schools. Outside of that I’ve got 4 APs, and all other school work to do, as well as my most important “extracurricular,” family, that I have to take care of. I have limited time, and I’m not sure how much I’ve actually accomplished, or how well I’ve used my time so far, and I guess I don’t really know now, but I’ll just keep working from here and hope for the best.
All in all, I’m thinking things may work out, one way or another, put I’ll keep you guys updated, as always, and welcome any extra advice/feedback, in regards to anything really.
Thanks a ton for all the help and advice I’ve received from you all, and I hope to continue engaging with this supportive community, through further postings!
Best,
mildlylessdistressed(but still quite decently stressed)senior_
@NEPatsGirl Skidmore came in affordable for him. Any feedback on your family’s experience?
Also @gearmom let me know that @NEPatsGirl, knew someone, their daughter that currently went(had gone) to Skidmore College. I checked them out and they definitely seem like they could give good financial aid, and be a good match.
Any info on the school, area, programs, etc.? Anything would be appreciated, or maybe some unknown pros(and cons?) I should know about it.
- thanks
no problem! keep me/us updated on your endeavors. 
(by the way, i second skidmore. have you looked into bard and/or macalaster? st. olaf and/or lewis and clark?)
Yeah, Psych is offered just about everywhere.
I think the schools you’ve applied to, and those you plan to add, comprise a pretty good group of reach/match/safety. Well done.
I’ve just re-read the thread from the beginning and my first thought is “apply ED1 to Dickinson”. Its a great school, a high match maybe but def in the realm of possibility. I’m a bit concerned with some of the schools on your list in that, while you want a school to be challenging, you don’t want to be academically stretched in a way that is too stressful.
My D attends Skidmore and received the best package of more than a dozen school to which she was accepted, some at a lower academic caliber. I am not familiar with their humanities majors but I will say that they have treated my D well. She is a double Math/CS majors. Besides the reduced COA each semester, she has been awarded research stipends, outside scholarships for which the professors have applied for her, great work study opportunities and non-work study funded opportunities on or near campus.
The housing is good, the theatre/music/arts programs excellent, the area with Saratoga Springs within walking distance is great, food is above average, student body half nerdy/half artsy, a few sports types and hipsters thrown in for good measure Students are friendly and laid back for the most part. There is some activism but not what you’ll find in some of the other small LACs. Albany airport is 30 minutes away, as is Amtrak and bus lines. If I had to pick one negative issue, it would be the lack of closer transportation options. And, like any of the small LACs that meet 100% need, there is a large contingent of wealthy full paid students. That has not been an issue for my D, she really feels like she fits in.
If you like what you find out, I would ED2 to Skidmore. The class of 2020 is comprised of nearly 50% ED applicants so it does make a significant difference. Use your RD applications for the schools that meet 100% need but where you are closer to their admission standards. Best of luck to you. You are certainly putting in the effort and I truly believe it will pay off.
@NEPatsGirl The new plan may be ED1 to Dickenson, ED2 to Skidmore. Awesome input. @distressedsenior_
@distressedsenior_ Feel free to ask any questions you have, either here or by PM. I’d be happy to answer and help out !
Ed1 Dickinson, ED2 Skidmore sounds perfect
Run the npc on St Olaf, St Lawrence, IWU, Drake, Beloit, Hobart and William Smith?
@kalons I’ll be sure too thanks! I’ve been hearing a lot about St. Olaf, so I guess I’l look into them as well.
@prezbucky Thanks!
Yep, definitely a good point, I need to balance rigor (and in the same vain, selectivity) with a school that would actually meet my need, which seems to be the issue right now, and why I’m in a bit of a jam as to how I should approach this.
Thanks for the info on Skidmore though, I’ll be sure to keep it on my list, it sounds like a great school!
This seems like the best choice for my position, considering my overall trend in grades, gpa, and scoring, which while not horrendous is obviously not the best (with my several Cs). Even if a school takes my “unique” circumstances under considerations, I’m sure there’s other kids that have had it worse and done better, so all they really need to do is look at another stronger applicant to reject me, so it’s just not feasible.
@MYOS1634 Pretty much, I also ran the NPC on those and they all came out over $15K, except for St. Olaf
At this point I think I’ll be lucky if I get in anywhere that I’ll be able to afford…
@distressedsenior_ Just relax. You’re an awesome candidate.
OK then, add St Olaf 
. You can already complete “Part 1” which gives you a boost, not as good as ED, but even if they don’t have EA, completing Part1 in November sort of serves as extra interest from your part. And of course complete the “request info” form, then communicate with their diversity office perhaps?
This is what I found for instance.
https://admissions.stolaf.edu/register/mailinglist
Dean in charge of multicultural Admissions
https://www.stolaf.edu/profile/sterli5
At Dickinson
http://www.dickinson.edu/info/20045/admissions/3251/tennessee
https://admissions.dickinson.edu/register/request_information
At Skidmore
(Your Admission Officer is Mr.Patel)
http://www.skidmore.edu/admissions/info/staff.php
http://www.skidmore.edu/admissions/info/
http://www.skidmore.edu/admissions/info/alumni_interview.php
You can also ask for more money once you are accepted. This is a good tactic if you have two similar schools that have both offered admission.
@NEPatsGirl Money is a concern. Can you give an example of the amount that can be earned with work study and non work study jobs and the amount of hours per week based on your daughter’s experience. To give @distressedsenior_ a point of reference.
@distressedsenior_ My daughter was offered up to 10 hours weekly at $10 her freshman year working in the cafe. Since that first semester she has graded papers, supervised exams, tutored various subjects, and worked the theatre box office, all for $10-12/hour. Off campus, she has dog sat and babysat for Skid staff and done private tutoring. These paid much more. The great thing is the flexibility…work study hours are scheduled around your academic schedule, so there is no hassle. So, D generally made $100 + side jobs each week. I would recommend 7-10 hours/week depending on academic load.
Her summer research paid $3600 the first summer (10 weeks) and $2000 the second summer (5 weeks). She could have done the 10-week both summers but chose to return home and work.
UPDATE: Our guy @distressedsenior_ has been accepted to Dickinson!!! With great aid. So proud.
That great! Good luck to him.