My daughter has 3.86 cumulative GPA and 4.76 weighted GPA. She is in National Honor Society, in several national executive councils of Women’s Rights, attended UN for women, lots of volunteering and internship with Red Cross and State Senator during summer break for going to her senior year.
But she did not score well in her SAT. Got 1370 / 1600.
What are her chances and what kind of school she can hope to get in
There are a lot of schools that your daughter can attend. What is she looking for in a school and what is your budget?
Well – I can manage at max 20K per annum from
She basically wants to do mix of economics and foreign relations
What are her chances for what?
Have you looked at your instate public universities? Start there.
And for the record…1370 on the SAT is a fine score.
Has she built a list of possible schools yet? Or is that the goal with this post?
What state do you reside in?
Chances for a decent merit based scholarship
I would look at your instate public schools. As noted above, a 1370 is very good.
PA. Yes – that is the goal of this post – to build up a list of schools where she can apply
You need to find schools where she is at the top of the class. Look at the Colleges That Change Lives schools – Hendrix, Southwestern, Austin College, etc.
A few schools to consider for merit aid - American, Dickinson (both strong in International Relations) and Denison. They all offer merit but might not be enough for the gap between what you say you can afford and full expenses. Also, take a look at Bryn Mawr - great school with some merit aid.
Also, Macalester.
What kind of school is she looking for? Does she have any interest in women’s colleges? Does she want to be in/near a city. Large, medium, small? Does she have an interest in sports, whether playing or watching? Does she want to be within a certain distance to home? Does she have any schools in mind? It is very hard to start with a blank slate. Her scores are good and she has a chance at many, many schools. Is she a current junior?
How much can you pay annually? The amount of merit aid doesn’t matter as much As your net cost.
If you need college to cost $20,000 a year…or less…start with your instate public universities. With your $20,000 and. Direct Loan…you might be able to cover instate cost to attend.
Currently a senior. I was hoping she could get a full ride somewhere. My financial status is not good but can’t qualify for need based grant.
Full rides are definitely the toughest to get.
Does she have any funds of her own? Perhaps from a summer or after school job, or willingness to take a student loan?
Have you run the College Board EFC estimator to see if by any chance you do better under one aid formula than the other?
Check out Fairleigh Dickenson Florham campus. They have a full tuition scholarship and her stats qualify her. http://view2.fdu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/scholarships-and-grants-summary/presidential-scholarship/
I am an Latvian immigrant (1st generation). So belong to the “White” racial group. Does it put me or my daughter in an infavorable position when it comes to aid or admission ?
Family income 160K plus – but because of obligations not much disposable cash or funds.
The thing that puts you in an unfavorable position for aid is that 160K of income. Regardless of race, families at that income level are expected to be able to contribute to their children’s education.
In certain circumstances, involuntary debt (for example, a large medical bill) will be taken into consideration, but voluntary payments on other items (such as a mortgage) are not considered as reasons to get additional financial aid.
So yes, your options are low price tag schools
Or, merit aid.
But you need to see if you can come up with a budget larger than zero with cash flow, tax breaks, or loans.
@Dad420 A few schools where your D might get some decent merit with her stats and ECs, and are in visiting range from most parts of PA,. Also, what her academic intetests?
Stevenson University in MD, offers competetive merit up to full tuition, separate scholarsnip application is required and demonstrated leadership is important, which your D seems to be strong in. Seems to be a lot of investment and campus is growing.
Rowan U in NJ, up and coming regional public in NJ, my D16 applied and was accepted, and we were impressed with campus, lots of investment and new construction.
McDaniel College in MD, one of the “Colleges That Change Lives” CTCL.org schools (smaller schools which have a lot to offer, where your D might be in the running for some merit, but check college websites carefully, as this varies).
A few others in PA: St. Joe’s and La Salle U in Philly area, York College. See how your Ds scores compare with school averages. We know students at all 3 who have done well.
West Chester U and Temple U are good PA publics which may be affordable, with federal student loans and a $20k parent contribution. West Chester is a very nice, small city. Several friends have students who are doing well there.
My youngest D is an OOS Sophomore at Temple U, really loves it and is doing well. It was a financial safety for her because she qualified for one of their previously automatic scholarships, but we were all so impressed during an accepted students event that she chose to attend. It may also meet your budget constraints because she would be instate. Your D may also get some merit, but probably not a large amount.
Not a full ride, but the University of Toledo, Youngstown State, Cleveland State, and some other Ohio public universities have good automatic scholarships for out of state students. Toledo, for example, would offer $15,000 for her stats, with remaining costs for tuition/fees/room/board about $14,000. If she accepts the Direct student loan ($5500 for freshmen), direct-billed costs would be under $10,000. Within Pennsylvania, West Chester would be about $20,000 (full price if living in traditional dorms) but might offer her a merit scholarship. Both of these schools have honors programs she might be interested in. At some of the other, less selective PA state schools, she might receive larger merit scholarships.