Where should I apply? Safety schools, target schools, and reach schools -- I need help!

College Search & Selection
1

Hi everyone! I’ll keep this short, but I am going to be a senior this fall at a high school in Massachusetts and am looking to finalize where I will apply to college in a few months. I’ll list my stats below:

Demographics/Personal Info –
Puerto Rican
Roman Catholic
Live with one parent after being a ward of the state for seven months – parents are separated, about to be divorced (I live with my dad in a house with some other family, but he is my provider)

Academics –
SAT (taken June 6, retaking Oct. 3): 1,800 which was 690 Writing (8 on essay, 71/80 questions), 670 Reading, and 440 Math (my weakness as you can see :()
Class Rank (as of June 2015): 42/958
GPA (weighted): 4.217

Grade 9 I took all honors courses, which are the most advanced courses offered to freshmen – Honors Geometry, Honors Freshman English, Honors World History, Honors Chinese II, and Honors Biology
Grade 10 I also took the most advanced courses offered to sophomores – Honors Algebra II, Honors Sophomore English, AP US History, Honors Chinese III, and Honors Chemistry
Grade 11 – Honors Precalculus, IB English, IB History, IB Chinese, and Honors Oceanography
Grade 12 (plan) – AP Statistics, IB English, IB History, IB Chinese, and Honors Physics

Extracurriculars –
National Honor Society Treasurer
Two jobs – one at a dry cleaning establishment and one at my high school during the summer as a Special Education Counselor
Member of my school’s replica of the “Best Buddies” program
Cantor at my parish weekly
Teen choir member at my parish weekly
Altar server at my parish biweekly
Teacher’s asst. (religious education) for grades 9 & 10 from September-April at my parish weekly
First grade teacher (religious education) from September-April at my parish weekly

Awards –
Honor Roll every term since freshman year
St. Timothy Award from the Archdiocese of Boston for “exemplary service and character” for my work in my parish

Letters of Rec (plan) –
Sophomore/IB English teacher (she’s known me for three years)
Honors Chemistry teacher (to show that I am multidimensional)
Honors Physics teacher (same as Chem)
Priest at my parish (he nominated me for the St. Timothy Award)

I really need to determine financially my safeties, targets, and reaches. I want to go into Special Education so unfortunately because this field is not incredibly common I haven’t found many places with my major, but, because my state requires a graduate degree to be a teacher I am not too worried. So far I’ve visited Stonehill College (my dream school), UMass Amherst (a close second to Stonehill), and a Bridgewater State University, which I do not really like although it offers Special Education. Where else should I look? Please help! Also, any tips to do better on the SAT? I have the book and my family friend who is a math teacher gave me some of her Algebra/Geometry prep books. Thank you all!!

  • Gabby
2

Your reach school should be Holy Cross. It is test optional. Look at Clark, St. Michael’s, St. Anselm, Siena and St. Bonaventure.

3

Hi Gabby- Are you looking to stay just in Massachusetts or cast your net wider? You have some things going for you as an underrepresented minority in a difficult situation (ward of the state for a while) , rigorous coursework in high school, your work history especially with Special Ed, good character references etc.

Obviously the math is an issue. How did you do in your math classes in high school? Was the SAT math a fluke?

Even with the low math score, I think you have a decent shot a some good colleges with a good essay and interview, where your character traits and life story can shine through. There are plenty of students at good colleges with low scores or even low gpas who got accepted based on other factors, and your other scores are good.

Good Luck!

4

@artie1,
I never really wanted to stay in Massachusetts, but I feel that financially it is my only option. :frowning:

I’ve been in all Honors math courses since freshman year. Geometry I got a B, Algebra II an A+, and I got my first C in Precalculus this year :(. Plus, I was going through a really difficult time these past few months with foster care and everything else I’ve had going on so it might’ve been a relative fluke, but math isn’t my strongest suit.

5

For financial considerations, go to each school’s web site and look for its net price calculator to get an estimate of what financial aid and net price it is likely to offer you, if you are admitted.

6

Thank you, @ucbalumnus!

7

@BatesParent2019, thank you so much! I’ve heard lots of great things about those schools, especially St. Anselm and St. Michael’s. Would those be targets because they’re expensive or would they be more of a safety for me?

8

Thank you, @ucbalumnus!

9

If the net price estimate is comfortably affordable, then reach/match/safety assessment can be made on admission chances.

If the net price estimate is unaffordable, but there are potential merit scholarships that could make the school affordable, then reach/match/safety assessment has to be made on the scholarship chances, not admission chances. Note, however, that adding merit scholarships to need-based aid may not necessarily be straightforward – often only unmet need, work-study, and student loans are replaced first, then need-based grants are reduced if merit scholarships exceed those other categories (each school may differ).

If the net price estimate is unaffordable, and there is no way that merit scholarships would make the school affordable, then it is not worth applying to the school.

10

I think that your application is strong apart from the Math SAT score. I would be astonished if you did not get into Stonehill, although I know it is more selective now than it was when I was growing up nearby. Regis and Salve Regina would probably love to have you, as well. I think you’d have a decent shot at Providence College, and possibly Holy Cross. I would recommend applying to UMass, even if your Math score is a little weak. You are near the top of your class, in an IB program, and your verbal scores should be competitive as an in-state applicant from a disadvantaged background. Most of the directional state colleges should be easy acceptances for you. I would even suggest taking a shot at an elite test-optional college like Wesleyan. They have “holistic” admissions, and might admit you. That could be true at Wheaton, also. Good luck!

11

@masscatholicgirl Can you estimate your father’s income?

12

@BatesParent2019, I would guess around $70,000, but he has to pay spousal support and soon alimony because he and my mom are getting divorced this summer.

13

Will he help you? Are you still a legal ward of Mass?

14

@woogzmama, is the 440 incredibly low, and would that make me less likely to get in to UMass Amherst? :frowning: I’m retaking the SAT in October, what should I aim for in math?

15

@BatesParents2019, I am going into his custody in about two weeks. He will help as much as he can but I know it’ll be hard for him

16

@masscatholicgirl I calculated that as a ward, Holy Cross would cost net 7k including a 4k TEACH Grant. You could further reduce that with work study. You can borrow about $5,500 a year as well.

You really need to sit down with Dad and see if he can help or not. You and he should run the financial aid calculators on other schools.

Your GC should be consulted.

17

@BatesParents2019 thank you so much! That’s amazing – I hope I could get in. I will speak with him and also my guidance counselor :slight_smile:

18

That was as a ward. Please speak to him and look for help locally if he cannot or will not guide you.

19

Mass may not be your only option. Holy Cross is a full need met college and is a great option for a reach but there are quite a few others that you can apply to. Again, although they are reaches you definitely have a shot with your circumstances and background. You may also be able to get fee waivers on some applications with your income bracket- you’ll have to check that school by school. I would check the net price calcs at quite a few of these on their websites-most are similar to Holy Cross in terms of what they will cost you but they can vary.

Here is a list of the full need met colleges:

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2014/09/15/colleges-and-universities-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need

20

@artie1, thank you! Do you know any targets and safeties for me?