<p>Hi! So I really need to finalize my list of schools to apply to. I am already applying to some UCs, Stanford, and Pomona College. I really need some schools with good merit aid but I don't know what kind of schools I would be competitive for scholarships at. I have looked at USC, Duke, BU, and CMC's merit scholarships but I don't know if it is worth it for me to apply to them. I'm also looking for some good target and safety schools.</p>
<p>For ECs: president of several clubs, 2 internships, lots of community service, community theatre, camp counselor, started a business.
Probably pretty strong recs.</p>
<p>If you apply to all of the UCs as a California resident, it is extremely unlikely that you will be rejected by all of them. But check affordability on their net price calculators.</p>
<p>It would be helpful to know your intended major. Also, are you a national merit finalist or semi-finalist? I would look into adding Wash U St Louis, Rice, and Tulane (safety). Certain schools only provide merit aid if you apply early. Assuming you are a CA resident, Cal and UCLA are a “bargain”. You probably have a really good shot at a Regent’s Scholarship at some of the UCs. If you don’t have UCSD on your list of UCs, you probably have a great shot at a Regent Scholarship there. Good luck!</p>
<p>* I really need some schools with good merit aid but I don’t know what kind of schools I would be competitive for *</p>
<p>How much merit do you need? How much will your parents pay each year?</p>
<p>Your match schools and some reach schools can be the ones with “competitive merit”</p>
<p>Your SAFETY schools should be the ones that will give you LARGE ASSURED merit for your stats, so you know FOR SURE that you’ll get XXXX award…and you’re know for sure that you have the remaining costs covered.</p>
<p>What are your parents saying? How much will they pay?</p>
<p>Hello! So, my dad was unemployed for half of 2012, and my family’s income for 2012 falls under the “Most College Match finalists have come from households earning less than $60,000 annually” for Questbridge. However, in previous years, and for 2013, my family’s income has been/will be higher than that. What information would questbridge ask for when determining if I qualify financially for the program? Thanks!</p>
<p>Ok…you really need to get input from your parents. They may have some “catching up” to do after that long of unemployment last year. Your FA from schools will be based on the much higher 2013 income…and that may be too much for them. They may have gone thru savings or have some debt from those months when income was low.</p>
<p>Have you run the NPC’s on schools’ websites?</p>
<p>Do you realize that merit scholarships get applied to NEED first? Merit doesn’t get applied to EFC. </p>
<p>If your parents are concerned that they’re going to have an unaffordable EFC, then you need HUGE merit. The merit will then cover your “need” and then cut into EFC.</p>