Hey guys I am completing Sophomore year in a week and I am starting to look at some universities. I would really like a full tuition as my parents may be giving me the money I would otherwise spend on college. So, here is my “Brag sheet” so far:
3.9 unweighted GPA
AP Bio/Calc BC this year, AP US history, chem, gov, lit, and stats next year.
33 ACT, 220 PSAT last year
Spanish national honor society, probably going to get into NHS next year, Co-captain of math club, and member of Key Club
Going to do an internship at a college lab this summer
So, with that in mind, and if I stay on this track, what colleges am I likely to get a full tuition/full ride? I would prefer something in the midwest, but quite honestly it isn’t a must.
Thanks!
If you need any extra info, I’ll gladly add some more.
Oh wow I’ve never seen that before! Thank you so much!
What do you think your major will be? Are you a science person? a humanities person? a business person?
I think I will do Bio major, and I really like science.
I think I would really like to go to a UC (california) or USC. Is there any chance for me to get the full tuition at USC if I retake ACT and get lots of volunteer hours, as I will probably be volunteering at a hospital all this summer?
I’m also African and Hispanic, might that help my chances?
Are you instate for UC 's ?
Note that if you took bc as a sophomore, you shouldn’t take stats as a junior but rather one from: calc3, multivariable, discrete math, linear algebra, or (college) calculus-based stats . Unless it’s not available of course… but what a waste to accelerate and then stop two years before college.
Have you talked with your parents about your plan?
USC full rides are highly competitive. If you’re OOS for a UC you would be full pay.
If you are low income, eligible for Cal Grants/Blue and Gold Opportunity (California Resident only), Pell grants etc…
then you would be probably get Full tuition at the UC’s. Run the Net price calculators for the schools of interest.
URM status not considered at the UC’s.
I’m out of state, so probably I’ll end up paying full then. I’m taking multivariable calc over fall semester online, just so you know. How about someplace like USC, as in nice campus, good weather, etc.? What would be a similar college that I could get a scholarship to?
If you qualify as a National Merit finalist, Arizona State will automatically grant you a full tuition scholarship. Their Honors College, Barrett, is very impressive, and brings in a lot of really smart kids. My daughter has toured both ASU and USC and she often remarks that they have a similar feel.
That sounds nice, my parents really want me to have a very low college cost, and ASU looks like a nice place to be. Thanks!
Calculate EFC with your parents. Then run the NPC on USC, ASU, and a couple others.
Ask your parents: how much can they afford? How much are they willing to spend?
“very low college costs” may mean different things to different people. The thread on “very low cost universities” sets the bar at 25K all inclusive.
Ok, I’ll do that. I think what my parents want is 25k for the 4 years or less, which even with full tuition, is very difficult at a decent place. I’ll see what they say.
Good Bio programs, good merit aid, and warm weather:
Rhodes in Memphis, connections to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital; ASU Barrett discussed above; Tulane in New Orleans also gives good merit; Furman in Greenville, SC give decent merit; Trinity in San Antonio gives good merit.
All very strong in Biology.
Good luck!
In the “very low cost” category, it’s 25K PER YEAR (vs. the more typical 25-35K COA instate and anywhere from 50 to 70K per year for privates - obviously, all without discount).
University of Alabama, Temple, or Miami-Ohio would cost 14-15K per year with their full tuition scholarship.
The only national university I can think of that may meet these criteria would be Howard, in DC.
Your parents may get a return (American Opportunity tax credit) to help them pay for college, which is supposed to be used for that purpose, but they’re also considered responsible for your food and housing. You yourself can work to pay for books, transportation, miscellaneous. Hopefully you’re covered by your parents’ health insurance plan.
Yeah that’s what I was saying to them, that it is basically impossible to go under 5k per year. Thank you Minny I’ll check those out.