And that's a wrap for one midwestern kid

Bettybuddy
Mon, 04 Apr 2022 23:51:54 +0000

She is done and committed - whew!

In case this is helpful for anyone else:

Large suburban HS in MN
Act 34 (math 35)
Unweighted GPA 4.0
Will finish HS with 40+ college credits, with a full year of PSEO at U of M TC campus
Calc BC junior year
Has own business (creative, sells at in person markets)
Competitive dancer through all MS and HS
Many volunteer hours incl only student on planning committee for annual fundraiser at local organization
In cast of several HS stage productions
National Honor Society
Orchestra
Works once a week at local restaurant for 2 years
Major; actuarial mathematics
A big plus was college with great dance classes and orchestra for fun opportunity
Very creative kid with hobbies such as photography, hiking

Not elig for any need based aid
Didn’t apply to any EDs or “Top 30”- can’t afford them and she doesn’t check any of the boxes for “hooks,” not URM or first gen

Apllied to 4 state flagships, 4 privates, one Canadian Uni, three state universities a few states over. One private and one flagship in state, all others OOS.

Accepted honors program at all schools apllied to, with some merit aid offered at all (except hadn’t heard yet from Canada)

Cost at all of the schools except two after merit came to between 22k and 34 K per year.

One OOS flagship gave her lots of love, bringing cost down to $17k per year.

One OOS state school awarded her top competitive (required interview etc) and other scholarship which brought cost down to, gulp, under 4K per year,

Her final choice came down to the OOS flagship with the great merit, the amazing scholarship at OOS state school, and private school she really liked for roughy $30K per year.,

It was her choice, I offered to cover 85 percent for her at the $30k per year private. All top 3 finalists had some big positives in their own ways.
They also had very responsive and helpful admissions officers.

She chose the state school where she will graduate with no debt, be able to take great dance classes along with her math major, and enjoy benefits of the honors program.

She is so happy to be dine! She already met “online” another incoming freshman from a state far from Minnesota who will be her roommate.

A new adventure begins. I realize ours is not the typical path on this thread, but thought I’d share.