Top 30 Schools-Financial Aid Help - I will not qualify for need-based

Paying for College
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<p>I am going to present a very competitive college application for sure. My parents are in IT field and they make little too much of money for me to qualify for the need based. I am not sure why anyone will depend for money from the parents to go to college? I would rather stand on my own leg. Unfortunately, the system looks into my parents' 1040 rather than my accomplishments. This only presents a merit based scholarship scenario for me. I have heard that Rice, Vanderbilt are generous schools. Of course, my safety net would be UF-Gainesville which I am not too thrilled about. But UF offers a full ride scholarship money. I want to major in pre-med. I am also applying for BS-MD programs out there. </p>

<p>If you can shed some light into some top 30 schools that will be helpful. I am also interested in UM-Ann Arbor. I am not sure what the financial aid scenario for Out of state students. Thx</p>

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<p>Well what are your stats like?</p>

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<p>Emory also offers great merit aid, as does Duke and WashU, but you will need to boost your SAT scores a lot to be competitive for the free money. (think 2250+ if you are unhooked)</p>

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<p>

Ummm… you are saying that you want to “stand on your own leg” by having your parent’s income ignored so you can qualify for financial aid? (Financial aid is generally taxpayer money, so that would be standing on my leg…)</p>

<p>If you are well-qualified enough to be accepted at top-30 universities, you might be in line for significant merit money at lower-ranked schools. It would be a good idea to investigate some of those. </p>

<p>USC is a top 30 school that offers merit money and has a BA/MD program, but the top merit scholarships (Trustee and Presidential) there are very competitive so be sure to find some good financial safeties as well.</p>

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<p>Thanks folks. I really appreciate it. I am trying to score a 2200+ in SAT. My subjects test scores are all 790 in average. I have done 15 AP classes. Ranked # 1 in HS out of 700+. Lots of ECs (clubs, hospital, doctor shadowing, science bowls, science fairs, tennis, piano etc.) Done lots of Biotech research at Universities/NIH. Pretty much no social life. LOL! I am praying to score 2200+ in March SAT and cross my fingers.</p>

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<p>I would look into Alabama and U Miss, LSU, Tulane.</p>

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<p>*But UF offers a full ride scholarship money. I want to major in pre-med. I am also applying for BS-MD programs out there. *</p>

<p>If you haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet, how do you know that you’d get a full-ride (tuition, room, board, etc) from UF?</p>

<p>how did you do on your PSAT?</p>

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<p>I also suggest some southern schools like Alabama and LSU</p>

<p>Or, are you a girl? Try a seven sister. Mount Holyoke and Smith both have merit money…Scripps does as well(although it’s not a seven sister)</p>

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<p>You mentioned Vanderbilt. If your SAT is high, your other stats do appear to make you competitive for a merit scholarship, but listen up here: DO NOT repeat what you said above about not having any social life. Vanderbilt is a lively campus. Even the very best students there, that I know, are sociable people who get out and do things.</p>

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<p>Erin’s Dad mentions Tulane. If you score as well on the SAT as your record indicates you will, and especially if it is 2250+, you would have a good shot at a full tuition scholarship (the Deans’ Honor Scholarship). The way Tulane works, when you apply they will automatically consider you for a merit scholarship of up to $25,000 (that was the top one this year, it could go up a little more by the time you are ready to go in). You have an excellent chance for that even with somewhat lower SAT scores than 2250. The DHS requires a separate application and project, but obviously for full tuition it is worth it. It is guaranteed for all 4 years no matter how tuition increases. Give it a look.</p>

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<p>If you are looking for merit money, you need to read through these two older threads. The specific scholarships mentioned may no longer exist, or the requirements may have changed, however the search techniques discussed are still very effective:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/291483-update-what-i-learned-about-free-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/291483-update-what-i-learned-about-free-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Also…try this link…</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;