<p>Your scores will help you a great deal as relatively few African Americans score as high as you did.</p>
<p>As a 2003 Washignton Post article said (referring to the old version of the SAT I), "The competition is particularly ferocious for blacks and Hispanics with SAT scores that put them on par with the most talented white students. According to the College Board, only 1,877 black students (about 1.5 percent of blacks who take the tests) scored higher than 1300 out of a possible 1600 on the SAT in 2003. Only 72 scored higher than 1500. </p>
<p>Among the overall student population, 148,024 (about 10 percent of test takers) scored higher than 1300, and 13,897 earned scores higher than 1500. "</p>
<p>Planning to major in the sciences also makes you a desireable candidate as relatively few black studenrts major in that area or have the scores to flourish in those areas. </p>
<p>First, check the Venture Scholar website. They provide info about colleges giving scholarships to Venture Scholars or that have joined the Venture Scholar consortium because the colleges want to attract URMs who plan to go into the sciences.</p>
<p>Before applying to any college, also take a good look at the financial aid section of their web page. Find out what kind of need-based and/or merit aid they give. </p>
<p>As a National Achievement semi-finalist, you qualify for at North Carolina Central for a laptop, room and board, in state tuition (which is cheap. You may even qualify for full tuition) plus internships and spending money of, I think $3,000 a year if you major in the sciences . Contact the college's admission office if you're interested. They have gotten some nice grants to attract National Achievement semi-finalists and finalists (I don't think that you'll make finalist because I think it may require a 3.5. However, even as a semi-finalist, you qualify for some excellent offers).</p>
<p>Rhodes College in Memphis is a well respected liberal arts college that is strong in the sciences and has excellent scholarships for URMs, particularly for students who live in Memphis.</p>
<p>I also suggest that you contact Venture Scholars directly and ask them for suggestions. Also post on the Parents Forum: Lots of caring parents who have great info.</p>
<p>And check out the colleges in your new state. Many public institutions have excellent scholarships for National Achievement finalists/semifinalists and for students with your kind of scores. Often students get their best financial aid offers from public universities in the states where they live.</p>