<p>Andrew, you need to go to the FAFSA.gov site and do a FAFSA forecaster. That will give you at least a “guesstimate” as to how much financial aid you will receive. You’ll get a better idea of your EFC (estimated family contribution). Once you have this figure, you can start to weed out some of the schools (they all use this for your FA package). You don’t want to wait and do your FAFSA right before acceptances in Feb. and find out that you can only afford one school. It’s a much better outcome in terms of options, if you get acceptances and you can afford any one of their offers. It’s better to know this now and not speculate, but have a clear idea now.</p>
<p>Warren Wilson has an excellent writing program and also offers a masters program in writing. It’s about 31K per year and one of the top schools on my D’s list. It’s very hippie, so just wanted you to know that it’s the polar opposite from schools like Furman, Washington & Lee, and Davidson. I know you already realize that your list is “all over the map” though. </p>
<p>In terms of the schools on your list now, it’s hard for us to make suggestions without knowing whether you are aiming for merit aid (need schools with a high non-need based % given as well as below your stats), or whether you are eligible for need-based aid. The EFC will give more info./insight for suggestions.</p>
<p>Drew-51K per year. It draws in a lot of theatre kids, and has a laid back atmosphere. You may get merit aid here (stats are higher and 39% frosh receive merit aid).
Elon-Great choice. Stats have shot up in last couple yrs.
Guilford-You would likely get merit aid here (your stats are higher and they have some scholarships for merit). Nice, friendly school (quaker), but downside is that they have a large adult student population. Some students are not comfortable with this.
Presbyterian
Davidson -reach
Furman-the “country club” of smaller privates in south. Great academics, and one of the rare smaller schools with Div. I sports -match.
Wofford-great choice, match!
High Point
Washington & Lee -reach
Lynn, Seattle
Fordham-reach
Azusa-Pacific
Emory-reach
Chicago-reach
Wheaton-which one? IL or MA?
Loyola-which one? Loyola of Maryland? Chicago?
Campbell
Saint Anselm
Belmont Abbey
Pomona-this is a super reach for you (stats)
Bowdoin -big reach
Swarthmore super reach (stats)
Carleton -super reach (stats)-</p>
<p>I wasn’t familiar enough with the others, sorry. I want you to know that your extracurriculars are impressive and so I don’t want to bum you out entirely. You will have some fantastic options in the end if you choose your list well (and with financial info. in mind). Some of these schools are out of your range with the SAT scores. That doesn’t mean they aren’t worth applying to, but I just want you to have a realistic list. Do of course keep a couple reaches! </p>
<p>Start to really get a feel for where you fit. There are some that feel “fit” is a myth, but I think schools have a kind of personality. This is especially true for liberal arts schools. Where as in a large university there will be a “niche for everyone”, that’s not always the case at an LAC. Some LAC’s don’t offer sports or greek life. Some LAC’s have a big hippie poulation, and some are dominantly preppy (Washington & Lee). So ask yourself what it is that you are looking for in a college experience. It’s a collective student body --when you read about these schools in 376 Colleges (buy the updated 2011 version, many of the avg. stats have changed), see if you feel drawn to certain schools. </p>
<p>What state are you located? You probably mentioned it, but just wondering to give you a couple safety options.</p>