Hi I’m a rising senior and I have several colleges in mind, but I was wondering if I am reaching too high.
My stats are:
4.806/5.0gpa
rank 29/508
ACT: 30 (I took it once last summer without any preparation. Will retake. Hoping to get 32+ on september)
AP- World history(4), Statistics, APUSH, Chem, Calc AB, Environmental Science, Gov, Econ
Volunteering Hours- 700
Cashier
Paid orchestra tutor
Leadership Intern at a camp
Varsity Orchestra
All Region Orchestra
State Solo & Ensemble : 4 trustee awards
Honor Roll Award
Volunteer Club Treasurer& VP (11th-12th)
Language Club Treasurer & President
NHS
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AVID
If it helps, I live in Texas & I am an Asian in a household income of less than $50,000 a year (but my family has a self employed business) and I am looking for schools with ABUNDANT financial aid because my parents will not be able to afford a lot. So I’ve been looking into private universities with abundant financial aid and prestige (I hope it is in at least top 50 per US News&Colleges Ranking)
I am looking into Boston College (match for me but idk about their financial aid…), Rice university (def. a reach school for me), and Emory University (reach school as well).
Can you guys please help me on what colleges I should apply to other than those 3 schools?? Thank you.
And although I’m not sure, I’m thinking about majoring in finance. But I want it to be big enough with other prestigious backup majors even if I change my plan. And I want it in a urban setting, or at least close to an urban area. Class size doesn’t really matter, but I don’t want it to be way too small(LACs) or way too big(UT Austin) either.
I think you need to look at some schools that offer merit scholarships as well as strong financial aid, since I don’t know how your family’s business will be considered in the financial aid process. The schools that might offer you merit aid are unlikely to be as prestigious as you would like, but I would certainly throw in a few. One school to consider would be Providence College - it’s the right size and in a city and it offers a multicultural scholarship that covers full tuition and is open to Asian students http://www.providence.edu/admission/Pages/multicultural-scholars-mlk.aspx. And I would add Villanova to your list - EA, great business program and outside a large city (although the financial aid might not be what you want).
In addition, even though they would not meet your criteria, LACs and more isolated schools might be extremely interest in qualified Asian students. You should at least consider schools such as Colgate (great for students who want to go into finance).
But i am scared that i won’t be able to get a decent job after graduation because companies would rather hire someone who’s highly specialized in that field instead of someone from LACs which might not have the good research program and etc. If i major in finance, i am considering to go all the way to MBA. Would being in a prestigious LACs help me to get into a good MBA program?(hoping for upenn or ivies for graduate) yes, i’ve considered colgate university. But i’m scared that it would not give me the same opportunity as those in a larger university
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f it helps, I live in Texas & I am an Asian in a household income of less than $50,000 a year (but my family has a self employed business) and I am looking for schools with ABUNDANT financial aid because my parents will not be able to afford a lot.
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Be sure to have some financial safeties…schools that you know FOR SURE you can afford.
CSS Profile schools are often not generous to students whose parents own their own businesses. CSS schools “add back in” deductions and will place a value on the business.
What kind of business is it?
^^That’s not true. Many very well regarded firms gladly hire economics majors from liberal arts colleges. I can name three rising college seniors who are interning with Fortune 100 companies in financial roles and did not study either accounting or finance. In fact if you search for summer internships on appropriate career websites, you will find that many specifically request that applicants major in economics, or another mathematically based major.
You may wish to look into Kenyon, especially if you are a male.
I agree with @mom2collegekids. You may want to look into UT Dallas as a possible safety, especially if you can get a 32 on your ACT.
Colgate students do very well after college and many work in finance. Here’s a link to a Brookings study that shows that Colgate graduates “overperform” in terms of mid-career salaries http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/brookings-now/posts/2015/04/beyond-college-rankings-top-10
I wouldn’t throw away all instate schools. I don’t know what state you are in and what the situation is there but using my state, Georgia as an example: We have HOPE and Zell Miller scholarship which would pay for almost all of instate cost. With your grades and financial need, you could get a little more which effectively makes college free- including cost of living. Though University of Georgia is ranked in the 60s which isn’t bad but isn’t great, we are ranked #1 for insurance business.
Anyway, my basic suggestions:
- Financially, it may be an option to give some lower ranked colleges a chance. (Some may be more likely to give good merit scholarships)
- Look into the ranking of programs rather than ranking of the university
- Keep your options open. Undergrad degrees are important but not as much as some may think. (That MBA will be pretty important)
What ever you choose, I hope it works out!