The lowest ranked Uni that meets full need is ~Boston College and even there, a 31 is low. But since this is BC’s first year of ED, who knows?
If you really don’t care what college you attend, look to rural LACs that meet full need, most of which are always happy to see apps from persons of color.
I don’t see where the OP has said this.
Which could lead him back to Williams, to which he’s been discouraged from applying.
I agree that the OP’s chancesof a QB match and scholarship are practically non existent. However, applying through QB greatly increases one’s chances of admissions to those schools. Even if OP does not get one of those lottery ticket matches and scholarships, for which the chances are minuscule even if an optimal candidate, acceptance to one of the QB partner schools on a RD basis means full need met. OP’s parents can afford to pay the remainder if the NPCs are correct
The issue is that OP has a low primary test score which makes acceptance to full need met schools lower than usual. And even “usual” ain’t great. But it’s no more of an issue as it is for anyone else—EVERYONE should have at very least one affordable school that will certainly accept them.
So, IMO, OP should proceed as planned with preferred schools, understanding that they are reached and unlike. If QB is used, chances are enhanced somewhat, but still reaches. So the likely affordable schools, the Likely ICs and Cal states should be included in the list and carefully researched for best pick because frankly, that is likely where OP is going to end up going.
Right now, OP doesn’t match Williams. Plenty of other colleges in rural locations that he could match. Or not so rural.
The program he would have benefitted from is QB Scholars, a mentoring opportunity. Apps closed last March. It would have helped his perspective, self assessment, and any fine tuning needed. The Match program can, too, but as said, he may not get that.
Match is a lottery ticket for everyone. Only 1000 or so matches. But even if student doesn’t match, it improves prospects for admissions. Even then, full need met schools are highly selective and are not sure things for anyone.
The biggest problem here is very common. There has to be s change in mindset and focus from trying to get into the most selective schools which are very easy to cherry pick off any number of lists, to the more arduous task of picking schools that don’t tend to make easy to find lists, that best suit the applicant. That is the true work of college search. OP needs to focus on that. OP already know what lottery ticket schools that would make him/her happy. Now find the likely ones that will. And THAT is every bit up to the OP.
In itself, it’s not just being QB that improves. A big part is the better understanding of the process and the lengthy application, which allows for more detail and an addl essay.
Whatever it is about the QB process, the chances of acceptance to a partner school is increased. It still isn’t anything to bet on.
The only outcome controllable by the OP or ANY student is to find that likely. Affordable school. It’s also the thing that is considered most loathsome for many students who end up spending the least amount of time searching and researching those schools.
I am considering applying to UChicago as test optional, how would I go about doing this through QB? QB is partnered with UChicago.
@MaybeIvy2020 Have you asked your parents about they type of accounts the $400k is in? Also, do your parents have any home equity? QB considers home equity. If any part of the 400k is not in qualified retirement plans, they have any meaningful home equity, QB will be a very long shot. You are already at the upper end of the income range.
Right, first things first.
The test optional colleges are not easier to get into. You don’t provide scores but they still look for the right strengths, thinking, challenges you took on, and other attributes. It’s like a 10 point review based on 9 points. The rest needs to be on point. They don’t guess.
Get a Fiske Guide to Colleges and do the research.
Well, there are test optional schools that are not as selective as the ones on OP’s “A” list. Schools like Holy Cross, Dickinson, Gettysburg become reaches, however, because they are need aware in admissions. Any time you are looking for financial aid, it’s a reach
I agree with trying to raise your ACT if possible and probably not doing ED so you can compare financial offers in the end. You seem to not have much understanding of how your parents’ savings will impact the financial aid offered, and since all colleges will do their own calculations, you don’t know who might give you the best offer. Even if you do get offers of acceptance from multiple very selective colleges, the range in what they offer for financial aid could be significant. You’ll likely want to save as much of your parents’ savings for med school if possible.
Based on the interests you described, types of schools you like, and your plan of pre-med, I would look more closely at Vassar. You would still likely benefit from raising your test scores, but you will have a better chance of acceptance at Vassar since you are male. Also, they are known for being generous with financial aid.
I have two updates:
We are really scared right now, and honestly I will have to completely change my plans for college; seek new full scholarship opportunities and definitely give quest bridge a try.
Thanks for all of the help so far you guys.
@MaybeIvy2020 , one more urging you to understand your parents’ financial situation and exactly how that could impact especially an ED choice. As an example, when D19 applied last year we had had lifestyle changes which meant for the years relevant for application, we were low(ish) income, but high assets. The NPC on the school website had indicated grants and scholarships around half the COA for D19’s need blind but not full need met ED school. Of course, that was based on income questions, and when the full application including CSS profile had been assessed, her actual financial offer was exactly $0.00. We had expected this. From what others have said you will still get aid with the numbers you provided; if you however are expecting a much better financial aid package from an ED school than you actually get, it really complicates matters. Ensure you properly understand what you are committing to when you sign an ED application.
The 180k in cash will likely get assessed at about 6%. Re-run the NPCs, pronto, using 180k. A 401k is a Qualified Retirement Plan.
I seriously suggest you start a thread in the fin aid forum, where it will attract the attention of more of the FA informed posters. Tell the background, that you thought more was set aside, your major and stats, and that you’re in CA, only child. Then, you can pretty much paste in Post 92.
They may suggest other colleges.
One more question…you say your parent income is $65,000 a year…does that include the contributions to the tax deferred retirement accounts?
Financial aid packages for the 2020-21 school year will use income verified by the 2018 tax returns. Financial aid is determined on what HAS happened, not what is going to happen. If a pay cut occurs in the present year, or loss of job, this has to generally be presented to the financial aid office with hard evidence. Just submitting the FAFSA and PROFILE isn’t going to do it and this is likely to present an enormous problem for you.
I still urge you to apply through QB and see if you are eligible for the free lunch programs or other such subsidies that just might bring down your EFC. I don’t think it’s going to zero you out, but give it a try. That enhances chances for the full QB match and scholarship. Still a lottery ticket but worth the try because it increases chances for acceptance during RD with partner schools and can save you money in terms of app fees.
You now have a real additional impediment in finding an affordable option. You will very likely have to discuss your upcoming financial situation individually with each financial aid office. Note that they do not care that you live in s studio apartment or how frugal your family has been. Nor do they care how extra agent a family has been. Financial aid is driven by income earned in a given year (2018 for your freshman year) and a snapshot of assets on the day you submit the FAFSA. It’s done by formula. Any contributions to a pension plan in 2018 are added into income but qualified pension plan assets are not included by MOST schools. It is advisable that you reimburse your parents for expenses or pay down your expenses with any money i. Your name before filing financial aid forms because student assets are hit harder than parents’ with no allowance.
I also suggest looking long and hard for full ride and other low cost alternatives that are sure to take you as is, because those may be your realistic options. Too few students invest enough time in such schools. It’s more exciting to go for big name recognition and selective schools. The problem
Is getting accepted to them, and now with your financial situation, getting sufficient money from them is going to be very difficult
@MaybeIvy2020
I still don’t understand. Is the $180k in a 401(k) or is it in a normal bank account? The difference is important. If they have $180k in a normal bank account, there is a near zero chance of QB. Also, I ran a quick NPC on Oberlin’s website. With $65k income, 5 dependents and zero other savings, it gave a net price of $16.5k. If I change the savings to $180k, the net price increases to $29k.
Are the grandmother’s listed as dependents on tax returns? That changes the family number from 5 to 3 if not
I think the OP has been well apprised that the grandparents have to be dependents on the tax returns to be counted as such on the Fin aid apps, and the $180k has to be in qualified benefits plans to be exempt from being counted as assets.