URGENT Financial situation-University search- Suggestion of private universities

<p>I have long known Michigan State University to be my top choice, though with the continuation of family issues, local hospital not diagnosing etc.... I no longer have a top choice (MSU 10 minutes from my house). Most universities that I'm considering:
Michigan State University ( In state resident)
University of Michigan ( In state resident)
University of Wisconsin- Madison
University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
Ohio State University- Columbus
University of Illinios- Urbana Champaign
Indiana University- Bloomington
University of Washington- Seattle
University of Maryland- College Park
Pennslyvania State University- State College
Purdue University- West Lafayette
University of Colorado- Boulder
University of Arizona- Tuscon
Arizona State University- Tempe
University of Texas- Austin
A&M Texas University- College station
George Washington University
Though now with further research I'm starting to notice many universities do no support out of state residents with financial needs. Eventhough there are scholarships possible, I can not 100% count on getting any, or enough where I could come up with the rest. So now I'm in a situation where I need help removing universities off my list that likely will not support need base out of state students, and replace it with universities similar/ ones you think I may like. I know the universities suggested are likely to be private, since I'm looking for suggestions of universities that are likely to support need base out of state students.</p>

<p>My intended major is political science. My weighted and unweighted GPA is between 3.5-3.65. I do not excel in ec's. Have taken honors, preps ( pre-calculus), and Ap's ( so far two, senior year plan to take 3-4). I'am either retaking ACT in september, or SAT in October. </p>

<p>-Thanks</p>

<p>Class of 2010</p>

<p>Thanks…</p>

<p>For an OOS student at a public U I would assume very little financial aid. If you’re a NMF then you have options through merit aid. If you’re fixed on large Us then look at the COA for each and see what your family can afford. Assume no aid.</p>

<p>Thanks…</p>

<p>I will see to which public universities do not assist and then began removing them from my list ( while replacing some with privates) so I can have a more reasonable list.</p>

<p>So far I think I may have to re-shape my list to:
Michigan State University (in-state resident)
University of Michigan- Ann Arbor ( in-state resident)
University of Maryland- College Park
George Washington University </p>

<ul>
<li>May be able to add a few more or have misunderstood and may also have to remove a few.</li>
</ul>

<p>Oh yeah, whats NMF?</p>

<p>NMF = National Merit Finalist, which means that you were in the top 15000 scores on the PSAT that you took as a junior in October. Many OOS schools offers full tuition scholarships for NMFs. </p>

<p>Honestly, if financial need is extremely important to you (in that you will have no chance of going to a school if they don’t give you aid), then I would not consider ANY OOS colleges/universities. They are notorious in basically forcing their OOS acceptees into paying close to full price. GWU would give you the most aid on your list for sure, what are your stats? (I’ll suggest some colleges if you’d like)</p>

<p>New Mexico has very affordable public schools for OOS applicants that, while not Harvard/MIT, are often underrated and have a decent rep in the west.</p>

<p>To post 7: Well I actually gave my stats towards the end of my original question, but I can msg you more information if that would be more helpful in suggesting universities.</p>

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<p>No I’m not a nmf at all, I didn’t take the psat junior year. So merit aid is for those who took psat? I actually didn’t know all the good outcomes of taking the psat, besides a practice test for those potentially taking the SAT in spring. </p>

<hr>

<p>Yeah I know, with ones financial situation being very important and considering out of state universities… your list of public universities is likely to become smaller, and potential privates may increase ( depends on your preference). </p>

<p>I actually though UM- College Park assist all students, I read through their pages and never came across " For instate students…"
I also used: [Project</a> on Student Debt: Financial Aid Pledges](<a href=“http://projectonstudentdebt.org/pc_institution.php]Project”>http://projectonstudentdebt.org/pc_institution.php)</p>

<p>I also know that ( at least what I read from many students) being a student of Michigan your lucky to have two great universities ( MSU, UM-Ann Arbor) which I agree with. Though with my local hospital and family issues I no longer see how MSU could be my top choice ( only 10 minutes from my house) and UM-Ann Arbor often seen as second to being Ivy League status/ selectivity.</p>

<hr>

<p>University of New Mexico is underrated, a school I wouldn’t even want to consider. I prefer those ranked by USNEWS.</p>

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<p>If you want to restrict yourself, be my guest. That seems narrow to me, but whatever.</p>

<p>^</p>

<p>It’s not restricting, its being safe and I actually find to like the universities ranked in USNEWS. Not once ( from what I can recall) found a university not ranked by USNEWS and liked it. I think looking at universities not ranked by USNEWS is taking big chances on things.</p>

<p>Does it have to be a university, as opposed to a LAC? What about a great school like Kalamazoo, or Beloit?</p>

<p>Well I actually prefer larger universities, LAC’s tend to be very small. Though it wouldn’t hurt looking at a few.</p>

<p>If you’re apply to GW, why not think about American University. It’s a mid-sized university in DC. It’s slightly easier to get into than GW, and they also offer a number of merit scholarships. Oftentimes, with scholarships and other financial aid, the cost of attending a private school can equal if not undercut the cost of going to a state school. In my experience, American hasn’t been super generous with need-based aid, but it couldn’t hurt to apply. As you probably know, DC can offer really valuable experiences for students interested in politics like yourself.</p>

<p>Other private school possibilities, depending on your sensibilities vis-a-vis religious affiliation, location, etc. :
Seattle University
Gonzaga University
Tulane University
DePaul University
Loyola University Chicago</p>

<p>James Madison University (VA) probably won’t provide much aid (outside of Fed loans) but the OOS costs are lower than many state schools.</p>

<p>Looking into all the suggestions but I should mention that I don’t have Ivy League grades.</p>