<p>Might consider Holy Cross-top25 LAC with decent physics program. HC meets 100% demonstrated financial aid and has great campus 1 hour from Boston.</p>
<p>Below are net cost estimates from College Abacus, using hypothetical inputs for the following kinds of schools:
- an out-of-state public university (Illinois)
- 2 in-state public universities (Michigan State, UMichigan)
- 2 very selective, expensive private schools that claim to cover 100% of demonstrated need (Holy Cross, Boston College)
- 1 super selective, expensive private school that claims to cover 100% of demonstrated need (Chicago)</p>
<p>Assumptions
MI resident
$80,000 family income (all earned by the OP’s Mother, who is divorced; Father’s income unknown);
$1K Father’s contribution in first year of college
$0K in untaxed income
$60,000 in financial assets; $20K in cash/checking; $40K in investments
$240K current value of home (purchased in 2000 for $150K; $75K owed)
$8K paid in federal income taxes
$8K itemized deductions
2 children (including applicant; sibling aged 14)
GPA=3.9, ACT=30
Fall 2015 admission</p>
<p>Estimated Net Costs of Attendance
$47,995 U Illinois ($1,785 total aid, all in grants)
$26,208 Michigan State ($0 aid; in state)
$24,122 Boston College ($37,250 total aid, all in institutional grants)
$23,932 Holy Cross ($33,900 total aid, all in institutional grants)
$23,560 UMichigan ($4,300 aid; in state)
$20,200 Chicago ($42,600 total aid, all in institutional grants and scholarships)</p>
<p>Your Mileage May Vary
Note that these estimates do not account for the OP’s Father’s income. A divorced parent’s resources, home equity, and business assets are three areas that may be handled very differently by different schools.</p>
<p>If my assumptions are close to the OP’s reality, then in my opinion his best shot may be either at a private school that claims to cover full demonstrated need, or at an in-state public university. If the OP’s father’s income is counted, the advantage could shift clearly to in-state public universities.</p>
<p>Note that Holy Cross does not have engineering programs. Chicago has 1 new, unusual engineering program.
An ACT score of 30 may not be competitive for UChicago. It would not meet eligibility requirements for the University of Alabama full tuition Presidential merit scholarship (which requires a 3.5 GPA plus 32-36 composite ACT). 3.9 GPA + 30 ACT may be good enough for merit aid from a LAC like Hendrix or Lawrence (but maybe not enough to make these schools cost-competitive with Michigan State … and they do not offer engineering).</p>
<p>I’m new to College Abacus, @tk21769, how accurate is it thought to be in general? This is impressive research, thanks.</p>
<p>Very little FA for OOS…but amazing program…</p>
<p><a href=“https://ccs.ucsb.edu/physics”>https://ccs.ucsb.edu/physics</a></p>
<p>Not sure this is going to be hugely helpful to the OP without knowing which colleges require the profile, and thus will take dad’s (and any stepparent) income and assets into account. Just checked this list. U of Michigan, Boston College, and U of Chicago are all profile schools that require non-custodial profile as well. So these estimates of aid are likely going to be high, the OP will have to pay more than that. Holy Cross requires the profile, but does not request the non-custodial profile (that does not mean they don’t have their own non-custodial form, OP needs to check that out on the financial aid website).</p>
<p>For divorced parents, best thing to do is have each run the net price calculators, then add the cost of attendance for each together. Not completely accurate, but gives you an idea of what you can expect.</p>
<p>OP, you should study up and retake the ACT this fall to see if you can gain a couple more points. It would be well worth it. You are lucky you have a great in-state option with Michigan, but you don’t want to take admission for granted.</p>
<p>I never even thought about taking any SAT tests so I will not be getting any scores from them. I suppose I could take the ACT again if needed and do some more studying for it. What do you think I should shoot for on the test for Michigan? I think I could easily get a 31, but it’ll take some work to possibly get it higher than that.
I got straight A’s this past junior year and my GPA went from a 3.85 to 3.87 so I don’t think I will be able to get to a 3.9 even with all A’s unfortunately. I wasn’t too motivated my freshmen and sophomore years (even when picking classes for my junior year). I took AP calc AB this past year and got a 4 on the AP test. That is my only current AP class, but i only opted out of two others i couldve taken in the past because my school only offers like 4 or 5 AP classes. Senior year I am going to take AP English 12, AP government, and probably AP physics C (online). </p>
<p>Those numbers seem so high are they just merit aid then? I’m not too familiar with how financial aid and tuition works. That’s not money I’d have to come up with out if my pocket each year is it? Also, is more aid given if a family is already paying for one college tuition for a sibling?</p>
<p>Thanks for looking into all those colleges costs that is interesting information. Illinois looks way too expensive based on that information. How is Boston college’s physics program? </p>
<p>The figures in @tk21769’s table are the amounts Abacus suggests you and your parents would be expected to pay to go to school there for one year. Of course, they’re all dependent on the quality of the data entered. Look at the data used: income 80k, one child in college (so your situation could improve based on your having 2 in college), etc.</p>
<p>Having been doing this for awhile, these look to me like really good amounts assuming you family situation is as has been assumed. $20K for UChicago? One should leap at that chance! In fact, all but the top two should be leaped at. They are good deals for the quality of education you could receive.</p>
<p>I’m not saying you cannot get a lower price at a similar school (you have to run the calculators, OP). I’m saying that 20K for Chicago, assuming you get in and want to go there, is a tremendous opportunity. UMich, Holy Cross, or BC for 24K, are you kidding? Talk to your parents about how to find the money. There are loans to you for 5500, savings, home equity lines your parents can take out, merit scholarships, etc.</p>
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<p>If you aren’t willing to work to raise your ACT (if you think you could), then you aren’t ready to study Physics at U of M (or any other high level program). That major is hard work! If it seems too difficult to get your ACT as high as possible, you may not be cut out for it.</p>
<p>@jkeil911, he isn’t going to get that kind of aid because of divorced parents at most of those schools. He isn’t going to get a $20K pricetag at U of Chicago unless his dad makes a very low salary (and hasn’t remarried).</p>
<p>How difficult is it to change majors/programs at Michigan?</p>
<p>Can Humanities admits switch to Engineering once admitted?</p>
<p>sorry, @tk21769 and OP, I was thinking 80K was the only salary involved and Dad was out of the picture.</p>
<p>He does not live with dad… but he didn’t say no contact or deceased, which is what is needed to get the non-custodial info waived (very difficult to do). You have to switch colleges at Michigan to move from LS&A to Engineering. I doubt it can be done with a stop at the registrar’s office. Physics is in LS&A (Literature, Science, and Arts).</p>
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<p>College Abacus is as accurate as the individual college Net Price Calculators are. That’s where College Abacus gets its data. Perhaps more importantly, the estimates are only as good for you as the quality of the input. If my assumptions don’t match your actual family situation, then my estimates might be low (or high) for you.</p>
<p>To illustrate, let’s change some of my original assumptions. To your Mom’s $80K income, let’s add $40K for your Dad, bringing your parents’ total Adjusted Gross Income up to $120K. Here are the new estimates:</p>
<p>Estimated Net Costs of Attendance
$49,780 U Illinois ($0 aid)
$37,032 Holy Cross ($20,800 total aid, all in institutional grants)
$35,472 Boston College ($25,900 total aid, all in institutional grants)
$34,850 Chicago ($27,950 total aid, all in institutional grants and scholarships)
$27,920 UMichigan ($0 aid; in-state)
$26,208 Michigan State ($0 aid; in state)</p>
<p>Not only are the net costs now higher at several schools, but the order is no longer the same.
In-state public universities now have a clearer cost advantage. In addition, the price spread is now greater across the 5 cheapest schools.</p>
<p>The differences in these two scenarios illustrate why it is important to think about costs early in the process. These estimates can affect (and should affect ) how you build your application list. </p>
<p>These are very good points. I can speak to the problems that failure to think about costs early can have on a candidate and family. </p>
<p>@tk21769, one presumes that the colleges aren’t selling the information you give them. (Perhaps I’m naive.) Perhaps College Board isn’t selling the information. What are the chances College Abacus is not selling that information about your finances to others? Any idea?</p>
<p>I never really did much studying prior to taking my ACTs just because I knew I could get a 30 and thought that would cut it. I would be willing to give it another go and it would be easier to study over the summer than during the school year. Would a 31/32 be good? I don’t know if it’s realistic for me to think I can get a 33.</p>
<p>I really need to have my parents both fill out some financial aid calculators and what not so that I can get a good idea of where I can go. If I had to guess I would say that your second estimate list is more accurate. As much as I would love to have the option to go to school anywhere instate might just be my best bet. </p>
<p>OP, as someone else said above, put that childhood behavior behind you. The smart kid with the high GPA who doesn’t study for the ACTs? He needs to give way to the kid who works his butt off. We’re talking about physics here! You’ll have to spend a lot of time grinding if you’re to succeed in physics.</p>
<p>And you have the opportunity few people have to go to UMich for physics! You CAN get a 33 if you put in the time. </p>
<p>Believe me I will shoot for a 33! I am just wondering what you guys think should be a good score. The higher the better of course, but does a 32 still give me a good chance? </p>
<p>I think that going into a test with a score in mind is counterproductive.</p>
<p>However, the people who would know better than anyone are the admissions officers and physics majors at UMich. </p>
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<p>College Abacus appears to web scrape the net price calculators on college web sites. So it should be about as accurate as the net price calculators, to the extent it accepts input for all of the things that the net price calculators it is web scraping allow input into.</p>
<p>thank you, @ucbalumnus, for reassurance about the accuracy. My concerns are also about privacy. I have to say I didn’t feel as comfortable giving data to Abacus as I did with College Board or the other college calculator a couple schools used. At best, I don’t need anymore ads for mortgage rates popping up on my screen or calling me at home. How else would Abacus make money if not by selling that info to third parties. I read their privacy statement and didn’t see any promises to keep my info to themselves.</p>
<p>As a side note, Holy Cross experienced a record - breaking fund raising year.</p>