Weighted Classes and Scholarships?

Paying for College
1

<p>Hey, I'm a Junior in HS and I'm starting to look at what scholarships I'd be eligible to receive from certain schools. </p>

<p>My unweighted GPA on the scale that I see most colleges are using (ex. B- is 2.7, B is 3, B+ is 3.3) is a 3.38.</p>

<p>Weighted, it is 3.72.</p>

<p>My question is... do some colleges reward you by taking Honors/AP classes? And am I going to be eligible for more scholarships with my 3.38 unweighted than students that also have the same GPA but did not take advanced classes?</p>

<p>Any comments/advice will be helpful! Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Some schools do use the weighted GPA if it’s on the transcript.</p>

<p>But, be aware, it’s your ACT or SAT score that will likely mostly determine whether you get scholarships. Many, many kids have good GPAs, so colleges use test scores to further determine merit scholarships.</p>

<p>What are your test scores?</p>

3

<p>I took a practice ACT today and got a 30. (29 English, 36 Math, 28 Reading, 28 Science)</p>

<p>So I haven’t taken a real one yet, but I’m thinking a 30 or 31 is what I will get, considering I will take it a few times.</p>

4

<p>How much scholarship money do you need?</p>

<p>If I were you, I would take the SAT as well, since you need the best score for the best merit.</p>

<p>When you do the practice ACT, what sections are you weak?</p>

<p>Do you know what your likely major will be?</p>

5

<p>Some colleges make their own “weights” for a GPA, based on the transcript, giving more credit for APs, etc.</p>

6

<p>My weakest section of the ACT is definitely the reading section, i got a 28 today on a practice ACT which is my highest I’ve gotten in that section. For math, I have gotten a 35, a 34, and today I got a 36. Science I believe if I practice I can get in the 30s, and English i usually get around 29-31.</p>

<p>I want to major in Civil Engineering, I am in Project Lead the Way in my school and next year I am taking a class titled “Civil Engineering & Architecture” through that program. </p>

<p>I was thinking about taking the SAT as well, so I think I’ll go ahead and sign up for that.</p>

7

<p>And I’m not really sure how much financial aid i would need right now, all I know is that I cannot afford very much. I’ve wanted to go to Purdue for years and now my parents tell me that it would be much too expensive. They think I should go to a community college for my first two years to save money, but I really want to experience the college life and be independent. My parents are struggling to get along and don’t have any money saved up for me for college. They also have my brother’s college tuition at College of Dupage to worry about, plus my sister will be going to college a year after me, likely to CoD as well. I really don’t want to go to a community college, so I’m trying to see how low of a tuition I can get at a school that I would love to go to.</p>

<p>I’ve found a few schools that have relatively decent OOS tuition like Univ. of Kentucky. But if at all possible I would love to go to Purdue, I know it’s kind of unrealistic though.</p>

8

<p>And I’m not really sure how much financial aid i would need right now, all I know is that I cannot afford very much. I’ve wanted to go to Purdue for years and now my parents tell me that it would be much too expensive. They think I should go to a community college for my first two years to save money, but I really want to experience the college life and be independent. My parents are struggling to get along and don’t have any money saved up for me for college. They also have my brother’s college tuition at College of Dupage to worry about, plus my sister will be going to college a year after me, likely to CoD as well. I really don’t want to go to a community college, so I’m trying to see how low of a tuition I can get at a school that I would love to go to.</p>

<h1>I’ve found a few schools that have relatively decent OOS tuition like Univ. of Kentucky. But if at all possible I would love to go to Purdue, I know it’s kind of unrealistic though.</h1>

<p>Are you an Illinois resident?</p>

<p>if so, then OOS cost for Purdue would be high…and even with good test scores, Purdue doesn’t give much merit.</p>

<p>Going to a CC doesn’t really save money if you can get large merit for all 4 years. Going to a CC can only save money when you’d be paying for most of the costs for junior and senior year…and frankly, if your parents can’t pay much for Purdue NOW, then they won’t be able to pay much for junior and senior years either.</p>

<p>If you’re OOS for Purdue, you’re not going to get much need-based aid.</p>

<p>You really need to get the highest scores you can…take both tests.</p>

<p>What is the OOS cost for UKentucky…including room, board and books? I don’t think it’s that low. How would you pay THOSE costs??</p>

<p>You can only borrow the following amounts</p>

<p>5500 frosh
6500 soph
7500 jr
7500 sr</p>

<p>You need to find out NOW how much your family can contribute. If money is an issue in your family, then you need to aks them how much they can contribute to EACH child when they have more than one in school…which it sounds like they soon will.</p>

<p>How much does Dupage CC cost? And who is paying all those costs.</p>

<p>Has your sibling filled out FAFSA? if so, what was his EFC?</p>

9

<p>im a bit overwhelmed now. god this sucks.</p>

10

<p>you have time to get a good strategy.</p>

<p>What state are you in?</p>

<p>Get the best ACT and SAT scores that you can (get some practice books).</p>

<p>Find out how much your parents can pay. If they can’t pay much, you need to know that now.</p>

<p>If you can get your ACT to a 30 or higher (or SAT equivalent), there probably are some schools that can give you large merit. But, that’s the point, you need large merit if your family can’t pay much. It seems like you need AT LEAST a full tuition scholarship, so that your family, a student loan, and maybe some summer earnings can cover the rest (room, board, books, fees, etc).</p>

<p>Get the best grades you can this year. </p>

<p>Get a summer job and save some money.</p>

<p>Once you have test scores, we can help you more.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

11

<p>Univ of Kentucky sticker price is about 26k a year. Still a bit high.</p>

<p>CoD is I believe about 5k a year. </p>

<p>This really sucks.</p>

12

<p>I live in Naperville, IL.</p>

<p>And I have a job right now, I’m considering forcing myself to not spend a penny of the money I earn to get as much as I can saved. </p>

<p>Thanks for all your help!</p>

13

<p>Yes, UK would be too expensive if you don’t get large merit and your family can’t pay much.</p>

<p>Talk to your parents. If they’re paying $5k per year for your brother’s tuition, and money is tight, then you need to find out what they can do with 2 (or more) in college. </p>

<p>Is your brother taking out any loans? Is it possible that your brother is paying for his CC costs with loans or money from a job?</p>

<p>That said, just because one school may not work out doesn’t mean others won’t work. Work on your stats.</p>

<p>Did you take the PSAT? If so, how’d you?</p>

14

<p>No, I did not take the PSAT (regrettable). I know I am taking the AMC test on Tuesday and the ACT next Saturday. </p>

<p>As for my brother, he is taking out loans for CoD.</p>

15

<p>And if I’m reading a scholarship description correctly on UK’s website, I’ll get a $3,000 scholarship all four years for having a 3.3 gpa and a 28 on the ACT (assuming I do nearly as well as I have been doing on the practices)</p>

<p>Lets hope that does not change</p>

<p>And I’m sure other schools have similar scholarships if UK ends up not being my 1st choice</p>

16

<p>“I took a practice ACT today and got a 30.”</p>

<hr>

<p>You may want to check out the Jackie Robinson Foundation that offers scholarships to high school seniors with ACT composite between 21-36.</p>

17

<p>^^^^</p>

<p>Is AstroJack a minority? If not, then the Jackie Robinson scholarship would not apply. Also, that scholarship is “up to 7500” depending on ACT. A 28 ACT may not get much and this student needs a LOT.</p>

<p>"And if I’m reading a scholarship description correctly on UK’s website, I’ll get a $3,000 scholarship all four years for having a 3.3 gpa and a 28 on the ACT (assuming I do nearly as well as I have been doing on the practices)</p>

<p>Lets hope that does not change"</p>

<p>OK…you need to look at this sensibly.</p>

<p>A $3k per year scholarship to UK is not going to make it affordable. </p>

<p>Out-of-state tuition and fees:…$18,740
Room and board:…$9,974 </p>

<h2>Books and supplies:… $1000 </h2>

<p>The basic costs to attend UK is about $30k OOS. You’ll need to add a few thousand more for personal expenses and travel costs.</p>

<p>A $3k scholarship is NOT going to make this school affordable without substantial support from your parents. Since your bro is taking out loans to go to a CC, that suggests that your parents aren’t able to contribute anything for college.</p>

<p>You can only borrow the amounts I posted above. To borrow larger amounts (which isn’t a good idea) would require co-signers and it doesn’t sound like your parents are able to do that. Borrowing a lot for undergrad is a bad idea because paying the debt back can be impossible even with a good job. </p>

<p>The reason that I wrote that you need a FULL TUITION scholarship AT LEAST is because you can maybe cover room, board and books with a Stafford loan and personal earnings…and THAT will be difficult! Do you see that? Small scholarships are not going to get you what you need. YOU NEED HUGE SCHOLARSHIPS.</p>

<p>“And I’m sure other schools have similar scholarships if UK ends up not being my 1st choice”</p>

<p>Again, you don’t need “similar scholarships,” you need HUGE scholarships to attend an OOS school. Study for your ACT and SAT. You need your best scores.</p>

<p>Good luck. :)</p>

18

<p>Is there still time for you to investigate Questbridge? Look through the sub-forum at the top of this forum, to learn a bit about it.</p>

<p>There are several threads about merit aid in this forum. Scroll down and you will find them. Some of those colleges might work for you.</p>

19

<p>^^^</p>

<p>It doesn’t sound like this student is low-income (his brother took out a loan for a CC, he didn’t get a Pell Grant). It just sounds like his family can’t afford to contribute.</p>

<p>If he were to qualify for QB, I don’t think it’s too late. He’s only a junior.</p>

<p>If this student gets an ACT 30 or SAT 1400 (M+CR) and majors in engineering, then Alabama would give him free tuition PLUS 2500 per year. That’s probably the best merit he could get without needing better scores. His remaining costs could be under $10k per year - depending on dorm choice.</p>

<p>He doesn’t just need merit, he needs LARGE merit…Full tuition merit at a minimum.</p>

<p>And he needs to more closely look at school costs. He thought that UKentucky was $26k for an OOS student, when it’s at least $30k (not counting personal expenses and travel).</p>

<p>He also needs to be aware that college costs rise each year, and scholarships that are for a set amount (like $10k per year) do not rise as costs rise. However, the full tuition scholarship at Bama DOES increase as tuition increases.</p>

20

<p>The more money a scholarship offers, the more attractable it is. Therefore there will be more competition in terms of the number of students applying and the quality of applicant (higher academic achieving students). Typically smaller scholarships are less competitive and therefore an applicant has a better chance of winning.</p>

<p>I thought this scholarship may of be of interest because I presume AstroJack is in the United States, talking about ACT and SAT scores. “The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship Award allows you to attend ANY accredited and approved four-year institution within the United States.” Even if AstroJack is not a minority and doesn’t qualify, then at least there is an example of a foundation that offers money. There are lots of foundations helping students. It’s just another option. A plan B or C if you will.</p>