Troubles selecting good safety schools

College Search & Selection
1

Hello, I am a rising senior trying to assemble and finalize a list a colleges to apply to. On my list I have many reaches, but not enough safeties. This list includes:
-Brandeis University
-University of Rochester
-Haverford College
-Brown University
-MIT
-Bryn Mawr College
-UMASS Amherst
-Northeastern University
-Boston University
-Smith College
-Mount Holyoke College
-Drexel University

The only real safety I have on this list is Drexel University. UMASS Amherst is becoming more selective, so I cannot truly say that it is a safety for me. The GPA system at my school is odd (it is weighted, but APs count the same for the highest level regular classes). On this system it is a 3.6, and I have taken 3 APs and will be taking 4 APs senior year. I have not gotten SATs scores back yet, but I believe that I scored no less than a 1300 on the new SAT. I have been looking for a safety school with academically minded individuals, a strong music program, good academics, and good financial aid. I want to avoid loans, as I live in a single-parent household and my mother makes $40000-$45000 a year. I have another brother in college and she is struggling to make the contribution payment to his school, despite the aid he has already received. I am looking to stay in the Northeast and attend a diverse school as a student of color.

(I apologize if this is too lengthy!)

Thanks

2

What’s your ideal major or at least type of study?

3

My first choice is neuroscience, my second choice is psychology, and my third choice is biology

4

I don’t know as much about northeastern schools as others on this forum, but what state are you from? Not all schools will meet your entire financial need so if loans are a possibility maybe you should be considering state schools?

5

I am from Massachusetts

6

With your financial situation I’d recommend taking a look at the other UMass schools for safety schools? Might as well have the expensive schools be reach schools.

7

BU and Drexel will most likely be unaffordable. Their financial aid is not very good.

Is the max GPA a 4.0?

8

I like UMASS Amherst the best out of all Mass, state schools, but I am worried that I cannot consider it a sure safety as it is getting more competitive by the year.

9

Drexel isn’t a safety because your mom wouldn’t be able to pay the gap.

It sounds like your mom may not be able to much/anything for your college since she’s already struggling to pay your sibling’s college.

Do you have a NCP? If so, some of reach schools will want his financial information.

Do HBCU schools interest you? You might get a very good merit scholarship from some.

10

Check out Howard University