What are some good financial safeties?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am realistic and know my stats aren’t like others on CC. However, I would still appreciate any and all help.</p>

<p>My goals: I'm planning on majoring in either Poli Sci, History, or International Relations for B.A.
then getting a MA in International Relations, following that up with joining the Peace Corps. Then I hope to move on and work for a government organization.</p>

<p>Here's some info:</p>

<p>Asian Male
Massachusetts
Bilingual
U.S. Citizen
Parochial high school</p>

<p>GPA: 3.4 UW (School is pretty competitive); Weighted: School won’t release until end of semester (for some reason)
Grades have steadily improved over the course of attending high school</p>

<p>Senior course load:
AP Macro/Micro Economics
AP U.S. Gov.
AP Psychology
Honors Calculus
Honors English IV
World Religions (required)
School does not rank</p>

<p>SAT: 670 CR, 660 Math, 620 Writing, Grand Total of 1950 or 1330 for CR+M</p>

<p>ACT + Writing: Pending</p>

<p>Self Studied for 3 APs junior year: AP World – 5, AP Euro – 5, AP Comp. Gov – 4</p>

<p>Activities:
Concert Band: 10-12
Jazz Band: 10-12
Guitar Club: Founder, 11-12
Guitar, clarinet and piano for many years. Tenor Saxophone, baritone Saxophone 10-12
NSHSS: 10-12 (Stupid, I know)
Rowing/Crew: 9 (JV), 11(Varsity), 12 (Varsity)
Model U.N: 11-12
Podcasting: 11-12
Blogging (like real writing, not that tumblr b.s.): 12
Chess Club: 12
Robotics Club: 12
Over 100 hours of volunteer work
(Feel like I’ve forgotten something…)</p>

<p>Awards: Just AP Scholar Award :(</p>

<p>Colleges I’m thinking about:
American University
DePaul University
George Washington University
New York University
Ohio State University
University of Wisconsin Madison
University of Michigan
Boston University
Penn State
Fordham University
Seton Hall University
University of San Diego
Tulane University
University of Maryland - College Park</p>

<p>I know many of these are reaches, and so I would love any other suggestions you might have.</p>

<p>Thanks for helping!</p>

2

<p>How can we possibly know what a financial safety is for you without knowing your family’s income and asset info? Financial safety is an individual thing. For many it’s the lowest cost school. For others it’s the most genorous need based aid school. For still others it’s a school with big merit aid.</p>

3

<p>Your in-state public universities and community colleges are usually the best candidates to look for safeties which you will be admitted to and which you have the best chance of being able to afford.</p>

<p>Most out of state public universities do not meet need for out of state students (Virginia and North Carolina may be exceptions). New York University has a reputation of giving poor financial aid in general. Put “net price calculator” into the search box of every school’s web site to get a cost and financial aid estimate.</p>

<p>If you are a senior now, it is already pretty late to be thinking about applying, since some schools’ deadlines to apply have already passed.</p>

<p>Your stats qualify for [UAB’s</a> Blazer Elite Scholarship](<a href=“Error 404 | Not Found”>Error 404 | Not Found), but since it is pretty late to apply, there is a chance that they may have already used up the money on earlier applicants.</p>

4

<p>You have OOS publics and several privates that aren’t that great with aid (NYU especially).</p>

<p>Your stats aren’t high enough for many of those schools to give an attractive aid/merit package unless you don’t need much money.</p>

<p>What is your weighted GPA?</p>

<p>How much will your parents pay? The amount your parents will pay and your EFC will largely determine where you should apply… If money is an issue, you need to take off several of those schools.</p>

<p>You’re a little late looking for financial safeties since a good number of those had Dec 1st deadlines for scholarship consideration.</p>

5

<p>I agree with above posters. Also, what else are you looking for in a school (do you want a music scene? Religious activity?). Most important, of course, is how much can you pay. If you need merit money, it would be wise to shoot to lower tier schools so that you are in their top group of students.</p>