<p>NYU has probably the worst financial aid of any top private. They don’t meet need; they even state such on their website. Its reputation for aid is horrid.</p>
<p>If you’re out-of-state for Rutgers, you won’t get aid there either to help cover the OOS costs. What state are you in?</p>
<p>However, for the other schools…financial aid is based on “determined need.” It’s not based on what your parents think they can afford.</p>
<p>Use this to find out about what their EFC will be: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml)</p>
<p>Find out your EFC, and find out how much your parents are willing to spend on your education each year. Those 2 factors will have a lot of influence on what schools you should include on your application list.
Also, take the ACT. Some kids do better on that. If you do well one either the SAT or the ACT, you may get some nice merit scholarship offers from some matches & safeties.</p>
<p>Are you in-state for NY?</p>