Chance me for Tri-Co schools and Villanova w/ decent stats [Classics major; 3.85 cumulative UW GPA, 34 ACT, PA resident]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Hi everyone! PA resident @ an academically rigorous public HS with ~1200 students. I transferred to my current school for my junior year. Unfortunately, I was very sick junior year and missed a little over two months of school (was in hospital) so my junior year GPA is 3.64 uw.

My parents are willing to cover some costs with money saved in my 529, but it’s not enough to cover more than 1.5 years at a private college w/o additional aid/merit.

Classics major with a 3.85 cumulative GPA
34 ACT (35 English 36 Reading 30 Math)
7 APs by graduation
5 on APUSH, 5 on AP Gov, and 4 on AP Lang (taken junior year).
All other classes taken have been Honors or Advanced.

Currently taking AP Latin, AP Art History, AP Literature, AP Euro, an Ancient Greek Independent Study, Advanced Stat, Personal Finance, and a philosophy course.

I received a piano scholarship at my old school; other honors include being a semi-finalist at UPenn Certamen, receiving Gold on the National Latin Exam with a nearly perfect paper (still mad about it haha), a regional award in Latin composition (magna cum laude), and another regional award in an art contest (best in show).

I had an internship this summer where I revised the AP Latin curricula for a non-profit organization, wrote articles, produced translations, created some question sets, and added to the commentary guide. I’m also Latin club and Certamen club president, work w/ a Haverford College professor on a Latin project, teach Sunday school at Villanova, coach gymnastics, and held several roles in school musicals/plays.

I got my Latin/Greek teacher to write me a letter of rec, so it should be very strong given my interests. I also got one from my AP Gov teacher who’s known for writing good letters and can attest to my ability to catch up after an extended absence.

I’m applying to the following schools:
Swarthmore (EDI)
Bryn Mawr (RD)
Haverford College (RD)
Villanova (EA)
Connecticut College (EA)
Dickinson (EA)
Loyola Maryland (EA)
Catholic University of America (EA)

I’m super curious to see if I would be eligible for merit aid at any of these schools, even if it’s notoriously difficult. Lmk what you guys think!

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I only had one apply to any of those, Villanova, 3.95 uwgpa, 34 act 9 AP’s with 5’s, peer leadership with our Catholic Church, world qualifying Irish dancer (really wanted to join their dance team) 3 sport varsity captain, the usual HS’s, seal of biliteracy (helps a lot in her healthcare career), full pay tuition was close to $90,000, no merit. She chose another school.

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I don’t know the answer to that, it will depend on the strength of your app and the entire app pool.

Is Swat affordable per the net price calculator without merit aid? If not, you should not apply ED.

Do you have a school on your list that is highly likely for admission and certain to be affordable? If not, you need at least one. Ideally one with rolling admission or EA.

ETA: here’s swat’s NPC, you should run these at all your schools if you haven’t already. Net Price Calculator

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So definitely check NPCs to make sure you understand the need aid situation.

Then Swat and Haverford don’t have merit.

My understanding is Bryn Mawr tends to only make small merit offers (they are better for need).

Villanova has some good merit awards but they are very hard to get.

I believe more substantial merit is a realistic possibility at all your other colleges. But it is an apply and find out sort of situation.

If you are interested in other suggestions, Holy Cross has a great Classics department and a special Classics scholarship:

William & Mary has an excellent Classics department, and they are at least cheaper than full pay private despite having a very similar feel.

These might be a little farther away than optimal, but I thought they were both worth mentioning.

Finally, I would not sleep on Pitt. Really nice department, and obviously you would be in-state.

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Swat has some merit, but it’s highly competitive.

Big picture it would be helpful to know OP’s actual budget and if they qualify for need based aid.

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What about Muhlenberg, Gettysburg, Lafayette, and Susquehannah? I’m pretty sure they all give merit, though I don’t know if typical awards would get you to the cost you need.

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Yes you will get merit at some because few pay full to attend those names but what is the budget ? That, not your desire, should drive decisions.

Asking if you’ll get merit is the wrong way to look. If Conn College gives you $25k, can you afford $70k?

What can you afford $ wise ? What do the NPCs say ?

I’d suspect, if admitted, $$ at the last four with Swat a tiny chance although you’d be unlikely to be admitted.

But your question isn’t providing complete detail - so provide your $$ budget and how far the gap is.

To answer you - eligible anywhere fir merit but Haverford which doesn’t offer merit. So if you don’t qualify for need aid, it might not be a proper place to apply. An acceptance would be a rejection.

There are schools like these $30k full pay to $95k+. Build your list based on budget, not just desire.

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Hi everyone! Sorry for being unclear in my first post. I should’ve explained more about my financial situation. I will be a full pay student, but my mother is currently a SAHM. She has been meaning to get back into the workforce for some time now and is willing to get a job to afford my education. I want to stay close to home so I can commute and save ~20K a year + remain with my current medical team. The merit aid would help bring it down so more of my mom’s income can go to savings. She’s super caring and loving and I’m so lucky to have her.

Anyway, the main thing I wanted to know if it’s even possible for me to get into these schools with my pretty average stats comparatively.

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This doesn’t match the list you gave.

And some schools require on campus living. Check yours. Certainly you can’t commute to all these.

Where is home.

I’ll ask again - what is your budget ? Actual $ figure.

Your stats are far above average.

You are likely for all I think except Nova, Haverford and Swat with difficulty in that order.

So you get into CC. It’s $70k. You can’t commute. Can you attend ?

What is the figure needed to hit - including dorm, which may be required.

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Yes, for the first year on-campus living is required, but I’ve factored it into the net cost. I don’t know the precise dollar amount, but my family is willing to cover all of the cost. I would be able to attend if that’s the price, it’s more of a thing where merit aid would make things easier for my family.

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Gotcha. Drop Haverford.

I’m confused by the -I’d commute or want my care team and applying to New London Ct.

If you’re looking to save mom money, Beloit is a fine LAC and will cap your costs at $30k. Or Washington College in MD who will throw money at you. Your list is going to get a price you say they can pay but doesn’t meet the desire to help mom save.

Good luck.

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Just make sure they can pay $95-100k a year. Very possible with this list if you get into Nova, Swat Haverford.

1.5 years is $150k for them so truly having a $ discussion may be uncomfortable but necessary.

Also, many pay from their cash flow so the 529 isn’t necessarily the only source.

Triple check that your folks are willing to pay full or add more onto your list. You can easily beat $50k with your stats.

Best wishes.

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