<p>I recently improved my ACT from a 31 to a 35, so I'm looking to possibly apply to some schools that I might not have originally been considering. I'm not really sure what schools my stats might give me a chance to get into though, so I'd appreciate some recommendations :)</p>
<p>Here is some important information:
I'm likely going to major in something science related.
I live in Ohio
35 ACT
Never took the SAT
4.35 W GPA, probably ~3.9 UW
Ranked 8 out of 370 in my public high school's senior class.
Received a science award from my school's science department. Likely would have received more department awards had they not just started awarding them this year.</p>
<p>Pretty rigourous schedule (or at least for my school).
Freshman year: all honors + two regular classes
Sophomore year: 1 AP, some honors, one regular
Junior year: 2 AP and the rest honors
Senior year: Taking a program called STEM Bodies that is basically the most academically rigorous thing you can take at my school. It consists of 3 periods of science and one period of technical writing every day. All 4 of the periods count as separate AP classes. The meat of the program though is that we take Biology classes at Ohio State University. We go for lecture at least twice a week and then lab once a week. Other than STEM Bodies, I have two AP classes, so I guess you could technically say I have a total of 6 AP classes for senior year.</p>
<p>AP Tests: Was the only person in my school to get a 5 on AP US History the year I took it, 4 on AP US Government (feel like an idiot), and 4 on AP Language and Composition. Will take AP Calculus AB and AP Comparative Gov tests later this year.</p>
<p>Only decent EC's; nothing that impressive. In Key Club and NHS, have a decent amount of community service. Selected to interview for a chance to attend a prestigious government camp type thing called Buckeye Boys State. I then went through the interview process and was selected to attend this past summer. There are probably a few other things I can't think of. </p>
<p>Originally, I was only going to apply to Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, Miami University, and some lesser know colleges in Ohio. Now that I got a 35, I'm curious to see what colleges you guys think I should consider applying to.</p>
<p>^I actually will likely need a decent amount of financial aid, but I was interested in getting recommendations without the consideration of financial aid just to see. </p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion Would I have a good chance of getting generous merit aid at Pitt though? I would need some extra money to cover out of state costs.</p>
<p>I think you would likely get very nice merit aid at Pitt.</p>
<p>With your grades and scores, you can look at some very selective schools, some of which give very good need-based aid. You could look at places like Rice, for example.</p>
<p>I hope you intend to still apply to your original list of schools, all of which are very good. Case Western is outstanding for science and may have some financial aid with your grades. The Honors College at Miami is also exceptional as well as Ohio State with in state tuition.</p>
<p>You may want to add an LAC to your list. Carleton and Kenyon come to mind but there are many others.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, don’t worry, I’m definitely still applying to the schools on my original list because I like them (especially OSU and Case) a lot.</p>
<p>What worries me a bit about Kenyon is cost. I can’t remember if I actually researched it or not, but I heard they were fairly stingy in regards to financial aid.</p>
<p>Also, thanks for the response wgmcp101 as well.</p>
<p>There are lots of schools you could consider, but you need to give us some additional information-otherwise people just throw the names of schools at you.</p>
<p>1) size preferences
2) location-part of country, weather, distance from home…
3) urban/rural/suburban
4) school culture-give us some adjectives
5) should we assume you are a science major?
6) deal breakers? (religious, single sex, etc…)</p>
Probably urban or suburban, but I can deal with rural
Umm… Moderate or Liberal; can’t stand some Conservatives. Lots of school spirit maybe?
I’m almost positive I will major in something dealing with science, although I may major in something humanity related such as classics along with the science related major. So possibly a science-humanity double major.
I definitely would not want an all boys school if there even is such a thing. I’m a male, which I forgot to mention in the first post >_< Religion shouldn’t be a big deal</p>
<p>Kenyon will probably offer you pretty good merit aid. Try Grinnell as well. tOSU and Case are obvious choices. Pitt is good. Alabama would probably offer full tuition. Since you didn’t take the SAT I’m guessing you weren’t NMSF.</p>
<p>Another thought. You’d be guaranteed merit aid at Indiana U–great classics department and good sciences as well–however, not as known for science as Pitt. I also think you might get really good merit at Pitt–maybe full tuition w/ that ACT. Both have great school spirit…</p>
<p>University of Cincinnati also has a top-notch classics department and solid science programs.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard (from friends whose very-top kids applied) Kenyon isn’t super generous with merit lately. However, if you like it–try for it.</p>
<p>It’s a very different atmosphere, location and size-wise than than OSU or Case. Not that that is bad–it is an excellent, excellent school-- but my kid came home from an overnight at an similar, isolated rural (beautiful!) LAC and just knew it wasn’t for her. She loved it, had a great time, but–too small for her tastes. Other kids come back from such a visit and know that’s where they want to spend 4 years; they love the smaller community, etc. I think if you try to answer the ‘what kind of atmosphere would make me happiest’ question, it’ll help you target.</p>
<p>If you decide you do like LACs, and might want to stay in Ohio, also consider College of Wooster–a couple friend’s kids who got very little in the way of merit at Kenyon got wonderful merit at Wooster. One is finishing up this year and has had a great experience.</p>
<p>Thanks for the in-depth response, paperplane. I actually have considered both Wooster and Cincinnati already, but I was not aware that Cinci had a good classics department, thaks for the info!</p>
<p>I might also apply for some lower Ivies even though I’m underqualified. Might as well take a chance and see of I can get lucky.</p>
<p>*I actually will likely need a decent amount of financial aid, but I was interested in getting recommendations without the consideration of financial aid just to see.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion Would I have a good chance of getting generous merit aid at Pitt though? I would need some extra money to cover out of state costs. *</p>
<p>Well, since you need money…you may need to find schools that fall into 2 different groups - schools that give lots of aid to those who QUALIFY and schools that will give you big merit for your stats.</p>
<p>Do you know if you need Merit-based aid? Or is your family’s income/assets low enough that you would qualify for lots of aid at top schools that give lots of aid.</p>
<p>If your expected family contribution is higher than your parents will pay, that can be an issue. It may mean that you’ll need to include several schools that will give big merit.</p>
<p>My parents have always been really secretive about their salaries, but now that my mom works a part-time job to add on to my dad’s full time job, my mom said that combined they make between $90,000-$100,000 a year, which surprised me a lot as I thought it was a bit lower than that.</p>
Would I have a good chance of getting generous merit aid at Pitt though? I would need some extra money to cover out of state costs.</p>