<p>I'm going to be a senior, so I'm currently looking at colleges that I might want to apply to.
Currently, my top two choices are:
1) Penn State University
2) Temple University
Those two colleges have a reasonable tuition, but they don't offer too much financial aid, or at least that's what people tell me.
I'm Hispanic and both of my parents are disabled. Money is a big issue, so I'm going to need a lot of financial aid, scholarships, etc. if this is going to work. I'd prefer not to leave the state (Pennsylvania), but I would possibly consider colleges in New York, Maryland, etc.
I'm studying and re-taking the SAT's (1660), but that's probably the only thing that would really hold me back. I have a 3.9 overall high school GPA (unweighted), I have some extracurriculars, I take AP/Honors classes, etc.
I want to major in Biology and perhaps become a physician assistant (or doctor if things go really well). I'm not looking at HYP, though it's always been a dream to attend Cornell or Penn :rolleyes: (unlikely, though, haha).
Anyway, point is: I'd really like to know of some colleges that might be good for me. I know Ivy League's give a lot of financial aid, but I'm not exactly that smart, so I'm wondering if anyone knows a good college for me based on my stats that would perhaps be a match/reach/safety school. I'm just lost in this whole process of where to begin.
Any help would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Muhlenberg College or Ursinus College both in PA</p>
<p>Juniata might be a good fit for you. [Juniata</a> College, by any measure one of the best liberal arts colleges in the U.S.](<a href=“http://www.juniata.edu/]Juniata”>http://www.juniata.edu/)</p>
<p>I have found my matches and have started applying as we speak lol don’t go to temple-- I’d suggest Penn state, I live in Maryland and I think you’re a good match for UMD-CP .</p>
<p>With your stats and aspirations, many students from our school go to York College of PA. It could be worth checking them out. Otherwise, some of the state schools can be good bargains (West Chester, etc).</p>
<p>Thanks! West Chester is on my list but I don’t really want to go there unless I don’t get accepted anywhere else. </p>
<p>@DebbyOkay
Any reason in particular not to go to Temple? I thought it was a good school… just in a bad area. I’ve lived in large cities before so it won’t be anything new.</p>
<p>Temple is a good school, but it is a tough neighborhood. Having said that, I know many people who have gone there and had a good experience. If you’re used to urban areas, it could be fine for you. I’d check it out first, though.</p>
<p>You should look at Allegheny College. They give out generous Trustee Scholarships and grants. From the time I spent there, it appeared to have a very active biology program. It also had a stunning campus, if that’s of any importance to you.</p>
<p>Yeah, I think it’d be smart to check out Temple (and I guess all the other colleges) first as well. I know a person who went there and they really enjoyed it.</p>
<p>And about Allegheny College… thanks! I’ll look into that.</p>
<p>I don’t know about fin aid but another school in PA is Gettysburg college which is known for pre-med</p>
<p>If you can get your SAT up to 1870 or more, then look at Arcadia in Glenside.</p>
<p>The school is pricey, but once your SATs are 1800 or more, the merit is generous.
They have a great pre-Physician Asst program with guaranteed admission into the PA grad program.</p>
<p>For PA State Schools, Slippery Rock has a lower price tag and good merit if you are in the top 10% of your high school class.</p>
<p>You may also want to try the ACT. Some students do much different on the ACT vs SAT.</p>
<p>Albright in Reading is another one. They offer good merit and actively seek hispanic diversity.</p>
<p>Have you thought about taking the ACT?</p>
<p>Thanks. I am planning on giving the ACT a try as well, considering my SAT score was way lower than expected (I took practice tests and they all said around 1800). My class rank is 8/300-something, so that’s another plus for me when I’m applying to schools.</p>