I am a white male, in a public school just outside of Philadelphia. My family income is around the poverty line so I work 2 jobs to help support. My grades are good but nothing amazing, 3.9 unweighted and 4.2 weighted on a 4.0 scale. Top 4% of my class of around 500 students. I’ve taken all honors and AP classes with the exception of one general math class this year and will be taking college courses at a local university next year. I play multiple sports and have been captain of multiple teams and am involved in a few other great extracurriculars with more leadership positions (Student Representative on Districts School Board for 3 years, member of a loca politica campaign, mock trial team captain, to name a few). SAT is 1370 with a perfect score on world history subject test. I would rather not stay local, but can’t go too far from Philadelphia - so maybe the south and midwest but definitely not out west. My desired major is International Relations/Political Science. I would like a medium sized school with some spirit and a good campus atmosphere but also good for my major. If anyone could fill me in on some suggestions for schools it would help out a ton.
You’d be a good candidate for the University of Richmond.
Any way you can get your SAT score up a bit more to demand merit aid? As you know, PA public schools are bad as far as need-based aid. Make sure you apply to Temple. We live in the Philly suburbs too, and I see so many excellent students ending up at Temple these days because they are offered a lot of incentives to enroll.
And check out Hamilton. Not a medium size school, but If you like it, it might be a good ED option for you - they claim to be need blind and meet full need. Great school for a political science major. Lots of connections to Washington.
I’ll keep thinking.
Hamiltons size is pretty concerning but it seems really compelling other than that. Thanks a lot
Didn’t you post the same thing yesterday?
With the focus on first-generation students, I would apply to schools like Penn, Duke, Georgetown, Princeton as reaches. Specially if you are a member of an underrepresented minority (didn’t read the white male part, apologies).
Retake the SAT if possible. If you can pull your score up by a 100-150 points, I can see you at a very elite school. Talk about working two jobs and the hardship you faced growing up. It’s a compelling story.
I’m no expert here, but I imagine the most affordable options would be state schools. PA has a huge system-- there should be something there to match what you’re looking for.
@btownrumble
What do you consider medium-sized?
I think you will have a lot of options. You’ll qualify for merit at a lot of great schools, and you’ll be in the running for need-based aid at many others as well.
Williams College. Apply ED. Great financial aid. Williams will like that you play multiple sports & are / were captain of multiple teams. Do not let anyone discourage you from applying ED to any college or university which guarantees to meet full financial need without loans.
^ But do realize that if you are accepted to your ED school and the FA offer is affordable that your choice is now made and you have to withdraw your other applications.
I would study for SAT and see if yuo can get your score up.