Where to apply?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi! Well basically, I want a school that isn't small, and is affordable with financial aid. I also have to be able to get into it (lol). My SATs are pretty good, however my gpa is not (85). The school needs to be on the East Coast (excluding the Carolinas and Georgia). It also can't be too expensive. I'm not sure how much financial aid I'll get considering my household is 5 people my dad earns $80,000 a year pre-taxes, and my mom earns $20,000 a year pre-taxes. We have $10,000 in savings atm. I have a little sister whose only 5. We probably pay about $24,000 a year for rent and electricity, etc.. If it helps, I am Jewish, and the first spoken language in my household isn't English. (Russian). Here is my stat profile. I also want to go into law, but I don't think that matters considering almost any school has political science or a humanities major. So far on my list is CUNY Hunter, Stonybrook, and Binghamton. What are some other suggestions? I was going to apply to BU however it is over $50,000! However, if I could get enough financial aid to make it be $20,000 or less I'd probably apply. The main thing I look for campus-wise, is that it is sufficiently big. If it helps, the school I'm in is in the top 100 US Schools, according to US News (~60). I'll probably also be able to get a letter of recommendation from a Congressman in addition to 2 teachers and my guidance counselor, if that helps.</p>

<p>Student:</p>

<p>User Name: Yakov
Gender: M
Location: Brooklyn, NY
College Class Year: 2014
High School: Public
High School Type: sends many grads to top schools
Will apply for financial aid: Yes</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - Unweighted: 0.00
GPA - Weighted: 3.30
Class Rank: top 25%
Class Size: 1250</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 660
SAT I Critical Reading: 720
SAT I Writing: 730
SAT II U.S. History: 750
SAT II Math Level 1 (IC): 660</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars: Student Govt (4 years)
Student Leadership (3 years, discont'd Senior Year)
Red Cross (3 years)
Went on a Leadership Field Trip Freshman Year
Leadership positions: Was on a Student Leadership Team Committee for Facilities
Volunteer/Service Work: 500 volunteer hours (150 Internship, 250 as part of work, 100 as Red Cross)
-Internship at a Jewish Center
-Worked as a Camp counselor</p>

<p>Desired College Characteristics:</p>

<p>Location type: Urban, Small City, Rural
Size: Medium Small (2,500 - 5,000), Medium (5,000 - 10,000), Large (10,000 - 18,000), Very Large (Over 18,000)</p>

<p>Area: East Coast
Importance of cost: Very important</p>

2

<p>That unweighted GPA of 0.00 is gonna make it tough</p>

3

<p>Hah, it’s probably 3.1 or so.</p>

4

<p>anyone?..</p>

5

<p>OK, as a New York resident, the SUNYs and the CUNYs are hard to beat, price-wise. You have Binghamton, Stony Brook, and Hunter on the list, and that’s good. Think about adding UBuffalo and UAlbany. Look at the other SUNYs too, even though you are looking for larger schools. They are good schools and in-state bargains.</p>

<p>Now, about expensive, private schools (state schools do this too): you have to apply and be accepted before you find out how much financial aid they will give you. You will fill out your FASFA, and get a dollar amount which the Fed. Gvt. thinks you should be able to afford, but that doesn’t mean that’s what the school thinks you can afford. Your final price may be higher or lower than the FASFA number. It will depend on the school. </p>

<p>If you like BU, apply. Don’t pay too much attention to the sticker price until after you are accepted. They will then tell you how much they will cost. BU isn’t in a small city, though. </p>

<p>There are lots (probably hundreds) of other schools that fit your criteria (final cost TBA). Look on a few of the college search sites and enter your preferences. Collegeboard and Princeton Review can help you narrow it down.</p>