From my experience, there is a drop-off after the big 3. Even in those, the grades matter. I have seen students getting +7 for honors and AP on CC. That would eliminate the top end of this list.
For biology, I’d include Geneseo.
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That’s why I said “except for the obvious” but then again reaches are reaches for a reason, taking a chance on a college where your odds are low.. OP could keep 2-3 of them.
A 95 weighted from an entrance exam NYC school is likely to be interpreted like a 95 uw at a random HS if not too many are applying to a specific college, the grades are good and the rigor is well-known (better than an A at a school where it doesn’t mean much) – BUT within the context of their school OP would be compared to classmates also applying to the most selective schools and that’s where it’d play against them.
So, imho, OP would be better off applying to Lafayette, Brandeis, Bates, highly selective colleges, than to the “usual suspects” all his classmates are applying to.
Seconding SUNY Geneseo!
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With respect to private schools, I believe these represent the types of colleges on which the OP should focus, partly because they’re not ultra-reaches and partly because they may be affordable. Most substantially, they offer excellent programs in the biological sciences. In terms of science facilities, Bates and Lafayette appear in this site:
Union and Wheaton (MA) are two more school I’d recommend you look into.
Regarding ultra-reaches, perhaps include a few. But I’m not sure that the best few for your interests and profile appear in your original post.
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Here are my suggestions:
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Apply to CUNY schools. Not only are they strong colleges, but if you can commute they will be affordable.
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Apply to SUNY schools, including Geneseo and schools such as Oneonta. Depending on your income you may receive free tuition. This leaves room/board, which may be within budget given a small student loan and a summer job. Look into NYS FA programs that might help with R/B- depending on your income.
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Use the NPCs for the remaining schools listed by you and suggested by others, and eliminate any school that is not within budget.
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If you might be interesting in women’s colleges, several — notably, Wellesley, Smith, Holyoke, Bryn Mawr and Scripps — offer excellent programs for your intended major.
Of the CUNYs, be sure to include City College in your research.
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I dont see Madison or Syracuse coming anywhere near budget for you.
What is your goal with molecular bio degree?
All this means is you qualify for an amount of the Pell Grant and the federally funded direct loan.
Most colleges do not use the FAFSA calculations to award their institutional aid.
I agree, your ACT score will be problematic for many of the colleges on your list. Have you tried the SAT…maybe that’s a better test for you.
What college do you think is a sure thing for admission and cost…that you would be happy to attend which is on your current list.
I would suggest that you discuss your list with your school counselor. How and why did you choose these colleges?
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For scouting for affordable colleges, this tool can be helpful:
Results can be verified through individual NPCs.
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Please use the net price calculators on the college websites. MyIntuition very often gives much higher aid predictions and lower net costs than the college NPCs and maybe could be used for screening purposes only. It’s always better to go to the specific colleges than use a third party site.
My opinion.
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MyinTuition isn’t a third party site in the ordinary sense. It was created by Wellesley College and is endorsed by dozens of partner colleges. For first generation students, in particular, it’s a great resource for viewing results for dozens of perhaps unfamiliar colleges quickly. The use of MyinTuition does not preclude the use of NPCs at any stage in the process. However, relying on NPCs alone may result, perhaps quite regrettably, in unrecognized opportunities.
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I will start using myintuition when families start reporting it gives accurate results. It is limited income families in particular that don’t find the large estimated ranges helpful. Note that Myintuition although started by Wellesley college, became an independent company, and then was acquired by CollegeBoard, where it currently resides.
Exactly. So that is a full Pell grant of $7495 and first year direct student loan of $5.5K.
So schools where the estimate is over your $10K budget will likely have to come off the list, unless there is some path to affordability.
Note NPC results may not be accurate if your parents are divorced, or own real estate beyond a primary home and/or a business…are any of those the case for you OP?
I’m hoping your school has school counselors that can give you some good guidance in terms of college options.
This.
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As an honest opinion, fewer than half of the schools you included in the original post would seem to be especially suitable for your profile, academic interests and financial situation. This should not be of concern, however, in that you still have months remaining in which to refine your list.
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CUNY Macaulay Honors College. They offer full tuition scholarships to NYC residents. I would recommend retaking the ACT this fall.
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