kelper

Guys, I don't feel adequate enough for college after reading some of these posts. I've just been taking it as a recreational thing, something to do after high school, but now as senior year nears, I have been feeling a little uneasy because it just suddenly hit me how it'll impact my life.
Also, I'm panicking because most schools have scholarship deadlines in like two months, and I need time to make my college applications to look as sexy as possible.

Here's a rundown of some stats of mine:
sat: 1920, act: 31, gpa: 4.1, rank 8 out of 300 something, math team, physics team, mu alpha theta, honor society, etc.
Here's the kicker that separates me from most other people: in my spare time, I have a couple of websites I tinker around with about computer gadgets, etc. I'm making five figures a year since last year with advertisements on the website. Can I emphasize this on my resume somehow?

I have a huge range of interests, so these are my major possibilities: business, electrical engineering, materials engineering, chemical engineering, finance, computer science.

Also, I'm living in Birmingham, AL. So, I would really like schools to be close to me(no more than a few states away). Money is sort of a problem for me. I feel guilty when my parents pay for my stuff because I know they don't like their jobs, so I feel like I am forcing them in labor for my own benefit. My websites can help pay for my school, but I've heard about co-opping, so that would really help as well. I've seen some of the price tags on schools, paying $50,000 a semester would be something I would have trouble with.

Thanks in advance.

fa-la-la-lena

About your computer gadget websites, as it seems to be more of a hobby that makes you a load of money, perhaps the best way to emphasize this is through your personal essay.

As for a school suggestion, I'd look into Tulane University. They give loads of scholarship money

dchow08

Applying to college is scary, and it is important to find a few colleges that you think you'll really enjoy going to, but filling out the applications itself is not that difficult. Most of the information you cannot really alter in any way. I regret not being as organized as I should have about college applications and that I knew how exactly what I was supposed to do (how to ask for recs, who to ask, what exactly to do) before I started applying.

kelper

Can I have some other recommendations?

War Chant

University of Miami

Great merit aid, you would probably get at least half tuition.

integrity09

If you are female, Smith College’s Picker Engineering Program is superb. Smith is known for academic excellence and small classes. Students are provided with terrific advising and mentoring and available, committed professors.

Smith provides STRIDE scholarships where high achieving students do research with professors. They have a number of other scholarships and financial aid as well.

You can find more information on the program at: Smith College: Picker Engineering Program and at: Smith College: Picker Engineering Program

OneMom

Tulane sounds perfect for you. Also look at Rice. Definitely look at Case Western- it is good in technology and the sciences and gives great aid. Apply to the main campus of U of Alabama. Olin may be great for you-free tuition, and they stress working with industry and being entrepreneurial. It is near Boston. You just pay for room and board. It is highly selective, though, but you have a track record in business already.

mikemac

when you read these boards you'd think only the *best* kids have a shot at college. Fact is, outside of the 100 or so colleges most in demand, the rest admit the majority if not most of their applicants! That means there are thousands of colleges out there for you to consider. You're just going to get discouraged if you keep reading this forum, where a school that is ranked at #7 or so in the entire country is dismissed as "not worth going to".

You're not getting off to a good start with what you've posted. You mentioned some of your qualifications but not a whit about what you want in college other than near Alabama and not too expensive. There are many other dimensions to consider. In an urban or rural area? Small college or large U? A sports-crazy school, or one where academics are paramount? One where students live on/near campus? Are you interested in a fraternity? A school with a strong coop program? Are there other special interests or concerns? I could go on and on, but the point is you're not going to make a well informed college decision until you first learn about the options that are out there, and make some preliminary decisions about what you want.

You need more advice than you're going to get writing a few paragraphs here and getting a few responses posted in return. And asking for names at this point isn't helpful when people have almost nothing to go on about what you want in college.

You should read a book or two about college admissions to learn how to do the process right. There is a book I recommend get and read this summer, called "Admission Matters". A link to the book website is http://www.admissionmatters.com/ and you should read the sample chapter they have posted right away. There are many other good books out there, such as "Colleges That Change Lives" by Pope.

I'll admit this (reading a book) isn't what most kids do. They want to go to the popular schools and don't consider many others; they get a tip from a teacher or their friends and that becomes their "top" choice; in short they don't spend a few hours learning how to make a decision about how they spend 4 years of their lives. It's your choice, too.

The truth is you have hundreds of good choices, and you're in the drivers seat. Read thru the book I mentioned above and learn how to figure out what colleges would be right for you, then apply.