URM with good grades/decent test scores could be accepted to some reaches with significant financial aid.
Hopkins, Yale, Penn, and those schools are really reachy. Emory, Rice, Vandy, and WashU are slightly more realistic reaches. So you should replace some of your Ivy reaches and replace them.
@intparent https://finaid.umich.edu/new-undergraduates/non-resident-students-and-financial-aid/
He states parents make around $100,000. With 6 total kids (maybe two going to college at the same time) and Michigan’s limit is “around” $90,000…it could work. People can make the accounting work also… I will leave that one alone especially if they own a business.
@JBStillFlying, I have never heard of one school counselor state not to apply early to Michigan. There is no downside for someone with his stats. Plus you know your situation earlier. Maybe 2/3 apply but it is obvious they will never hire enough people to go through all those applications holistically with the 3 step reviews that they implement. I personally don’t see those stats as meaning anything besides they are getting more applications that they can handle. Michigan states there is no difference to them when you apply but doesn’t it show interest when you apply early when you can? I would only advise RD when you are still working on something like a obvious needed higher Act score or the like.
@Knowsstuff Sorry if I didn’t clarify well enough: 4 siblings, 6 total family members. By my junior year in college, one of my siblings will start out college.
@moooop and OP. Sure give it try. I am only saying your 32 or 33 is already strong but certainly strive for higher if you prep etc.
it’s just that around here lots of people have a 34 and 35. With so few actually achieving at that score based on the real numbers, that it’s like they all must post. And it can distort your reality.
As an URM and with your profile you will be a strong candidate at all schools. A 34 or 35 puts you in the top top level.
But grades rigor ecs personal essays and recs will be equally important since I believe you will be in the qualified camp, for all but the handful of the reach for all schools. A slightly higher act and even those will be possibilities. But every reach is a possible denial for everyone.
I would look at meets full need schools ed or rea at your favorite mid reach. Or ea to as many non restictive options at the high match, low reach level. Ed II at a favorite reach, if offered, if the fist round leaves you dissatisfied. And rd at the others.
@Knowsstuff at #41 - your points re: Michigan make sense - it’s just that they do defer an awful lot of high-stats kids early. OP’s demographic might prevent that since they are pursuing diversity so earnestly. There’s anecdotal talk of yield protection etc. but who really knows - both POV seem very valid. Don’t want to turn this into a discussion on Michigan so will cease and desist now. :-t
What is it about those schools that landed them on your list. That is THE most important question when it. omes to your chances, and whether you are applying to too many or whether you need significantly more safeties.
I am not immediately seeing a clear identity featured on that list, at all. How did those schools come to be on your lias?
Also: not to pry, but… will you need aid? That may change what you can consider a safety (need-blind, vs. need-aware, merit/aid policies, etc…)
OP, is your 33 ACT after significant prep? Is there just 1 section that was lower than the others? Did you also try the SAT? The reason I ask is that after already having prepped, it seems easier to raise an SAT score simply by hyper-focusing on one section (eg math) than ACT unless you only had 1 lower section (maybe because there are more moving parts). If, though, your 33 ACT was without significant prep, you can absolutely raise it. I don’t think you need a 35/36, but at least a 34 would be good. Your academics and ECs are outstanding, so if you can’t raise it after directed study and taking it 1 more time (there seems to be a point at which you max out on the test), don’t keep taking it. You are a great candidate!
@havenoidea I took the ACT without significant prep and got a 35’s in math and English, a 31 in science, and a 30 in reading. The science and the reading scores were due to lack of practice and poor time management.