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Is Ivy League for me?
loserskeleton
0 replies3 threads New Member
I’m currently a junior in high school, graduating next year. I have a 4.4 GPA, I take all honors and AP, and I scored a 29 on my ACT (which I’ll still be retaking).
I want to major in something to do with communications, advertising, or media. I’m struggling to find out which Ivy Leauge schools offer these programs, and whether or not I can afford them (let alone get in).
Any help and advice would be appreciated.
8 repliesI want to major in something to do with communications, advertising, or media. I’m struggling to find out which Ivy Leauge schools offer these programs, and whether or not I can afford them (let alone get in).
Any help and advice would be appreciated.
Post edited by skieurope on
This discussion has been closed.
Replies to: Is Ivy League for me?
But the bad news is that though you have a possibility of being considered for the top Ivies, it's not a high probability. You'll NEED a solid backup plan.
Have the hard talk with your parents as soon as you possibly can about what they think they can contribute, if anything, to your college education. Once you have a number, go on the FAFSA website and find out what the government thinks your family can afford to pay for your college education.
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/estimate (FAFSA4Caster)
if there is a big gap, you need to chase schools with merit aid. Look in the Financial Aid and Scholarships section of this forum and you'll find info on some colleges with competitive big scholarships. A lot of schools are generous with merit aid. The Parents Forum section of this website has a thread pinned near the top that has lists of schools we have had success with in the past.
If there isn't a cost gap, you want to find a college that meets full need. Here is the list for last year:
http://blog.****/blog/colleges-that-meet-100-of-student-financial-need/
By all means, apply to any of the Ivies that seem like a good fit.
But know that, for every single kid who applies, it's the academic equivalent of buying a lottery ticket. Sure, taking a chance is worth it. But don't pin your hopes on that lottery ticket. Every single kid who applies is incredibly gifted and talented and qualified, yet the acceptance rates are still in the single digits.
So do your homework. Find a list of schools that seem like a good fit: academically, financially, socially, and all the other ways. Find a school that seems to be a place you can happily live and learn for four years. Find a school with other kids just like you. My daughter visited a number of schools. One in particular was a great fit on paper, but just had a vibe that wasn't her. When we found the right school, she knew it.
Good luck!
However, if you are absolutely sure you will attend a selective grad school path (medicine) or are going into finance, the name and connections are incredibly valuable.
For my pathway, the cost doesn't pencil out (although I had a very positive experience).
Consider, for instance BU (School of Communications), Clark U. ( see their major in Media, Culture and the Arts) or Emerson- options in MA alone. As well as your state university. UMass has a Communications major. If you are more business-oriented there are many public options. Again, in MA, Babson might be a good private one. You can find similar opportunities in other states- these are examples to look at.
If your academic performance is solid, as your GPA would suggest, but you are not a good test-taker, here is a list of schools that don't require or emphasize test scores. If you need merit aid you might still need to provide them though. There are many top schools on this list. For instance, under B you will find Bowdoin, Bates, Barnard, Brandeis, Bryn Mawr, Bard, Bennington and Beloit, among many others.
http://fairtest.org/university/optional