Cheap Colleges for Semi-Smart Kids?

College Search & Lists
1

Thinking about college stresses me out so I’ve been kinda avoiding it for the entirety of my life; turns out that wasn’t a good idea. College apps are now open and I still have no idea where I want to go! Yay!

I’m a rising senior from VA (not NOVA). My GPA after the end of junior year was a 4.8, and my SAT (March 2017) was a 1340 (yikes!!- retaking in August). My GPA unweighted is a 4.0. My extracurriculars are underwhelming and pretty typical of an average kid- church, honors societies, etc. Nothing spectacular here.

I’ve visited Tech and UVA- didn’t like UVA, and planning on applying ED to Tech at the moment. I really love how it’s a big football school! It’s fairly inexpensive and I love the vibe. When I visited, I could honestly picture myself being a Hokie. Everyone there was so friendly & ready to help. I could tell that the University values their students and their educations and I really liked it.

However, I haven’t branched out much further than that. I was interested in Alabama for awhile, but my parents don’t want me so far from home. I’ve also considered U South Carolina, but have yet to visit. West Virginia, maybe?

Essentially what I’m asking for is where exactly I should be looking. My school is pretty crappy with helping in the college process and everything just seems so overwhelming. I don’t want to go North because I really don’t like the cold/snow (con for Tech!). Ideally I’d go South where it’s warmer and sunnier, but my main concern is $$. I want to go to the cheapest school possible that I like.

As far as preferences go, I don’t want a small school (i.e. Washington & Lee, Longwood, William and Mary- no thanks). I like the vibe that big sports bring to a school, so I suppose that’s somewhat important as well.

I know there’s an abundance of knowledge on CC, so any help would be MUCH appreciated! Thank you all in advance!

EDIT: I figured I should probably include what I’d like to study, but the reason I didn’t mention it is because I have NO idea. I can say that more than likely it will not be STEM related, but that’s really as much as I know.

2

Are your parents poor, or do they have high income but will not pay? That matters in terms of whether need based aid may make the finances work. Try net price calculators.

On the merit side, check this list:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/2006094-2017-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html
Howard is probably closest to home for you, but you need a higher SAT or ACT score and hope they are not all given out by that time.

3

ED to Virginia Tech looks like it could be a good match for you, especially since you are not intending to apply to engineering. But, have the money discussion with your parents first before considering ED. You might look at JMU instate, possibly USC or University of Georgia OOS. But, again, get a budget from your parents before going forward with any applications. Good luck!

4

There are a number of schools in Florida that you might like and you might get aid. UCF has big everything - student body, football, majors. Florida Atlantic is growing its sports, especially football.

5

Also, clarify with your family what their geographic limits are. Since they didn’t want you in Alabama, maybe they also don’t want you in Florida, for example. Find out. No point in getting interested in schools they won’t support. Some parents want their kids within a reasonable driving distance, while others don’t mind kids going to schools many miles away that could involve either a very long car ride or flight. Find out what YOUR parents are comfortable with.

6

Va Tech sounds like a perfect fit, really no need to branch out.

but maybe publics in Delaware or Kentucky (Delaware State, U Delaware, Kentucky State, Moorehead State, Murray State, etc. )

Big sports schools with merit more than likely means further from home - U Mississippi, U Arkansas, etc.

7

What are your financial limits? Have you run the Net Price Calculator at any of the websites of the places you are interested in?

How close do your parents want you to be? Is there a specific reason for that limit?

What did your guidance counselor tell you about VT admisssions? Do students with your grades and test scores usually get in?

What about the rest of the VA publics? Have you looked at VCU or any of the others?

8

It’s okay not to know what you want to major in. It means you’ll avoid costly mistakes and keeping an open mind will figure out what you like best and are strongest at.

UTennessee, UMissouri, USouth Carolina, App State, WVU, UKentucky all seem to match what you want and some of them would probably result in merit aid (whenever possible apply to the honors college).
Instate, make sure to apply to 2-3 universities.

Now, some criteria will likely reduce your list: what’s your parents’ budget?
Are you worried about costs because they can’t pay or won’t pay?
If it comes down to costs v.distance, what will matter more to them (IE., if you get a cheaper offer far away will they pay the difference for you to attend the closer/instate college?)

9

Mostly worried about aid because they can’t pay. Family income is around $115,000. From the NPCs I’ve run with my mom, our EFC is around $15,000? I’m not sure exactly how accurate they are or whatever. From the NPC, Tech would be full price, which I didn’t know. UVA came to only $4,000/yr, however, and U of Richmond was only $2k. Confused as to how this works??

10

Applying ED to Virginia Tech is out then. You could still apply regular decision though and see what the actual package ends up looking like. When you say " they can’t pay" , what exactly have they said? With an income of $115, 000 , surprised they cannot help you with college costs. Are there lots of siblings or medical costs or other costs that are effecting their ability to contribute?

11

Florida State will probably allow u to pay in-state tuition. U of South Florida might be cheap too.

12

That EFC seems low for an income that high (unless maybe your family has no assets at all, medical expenses, a couple other kids in college, etc.). It also seems odd that one in-state public university would be full price and the other only $4K (with URichmond only $2K).

13

UofSC would be a good place to look as alternative to VaTech. You would likely get in-state tuition rate so without any other scholarship COA would be around 25K. Likely some additional scholarship also. Would definitely apply to Honors College if you do. Sounds like VaTech is a natural. If you’re really strapped for money, do they have an agreement where you can start at community college and have guaranteed admittance with good grades?

14

Look at George Mason. STEM is good in most areas, excellent opportunities for internships in NoVa, some need + merit to be had. Also VCU if leaning towards STEM in medical areas. Aid possible there but show interest. Check WVU for automatic aid - you may quality, their website has specifics.

ETA: CC articulation agreements are good in VA. VT, GMU, JMU etc take fair # students via that route.

15

@MYOS1634 Definitely think cost matters more than distance, but obviously the farther you get from home, the more expensive it becomes to visit for breaks etc so that’s something we’re considering also!

@moooop & @scmom12 I’m guessing offering instate tuition to nonresidents is just like scholarships?? That’s awesome! I will definitely look into that.

I think right now we’re planning on touring WVU. It seems it could be a possibility for me. Hopefully I do better on the ACT in September than my March SAT and more merit aid possibilities will open up. Thank you to everyone for your help!! This is so stressful haha!

16

VaTech sounds like a great fit. If you apply ED and get in there is no need to branch out. You are fortunate to live in a state with so many fine public options.

17

@happy1 Oh yes, Tech is definitely my first choice. However, after running the NPC there I discovered I’d be full pay and I’ve heard they don’t offer much in scholarships, so the branching out is primarily for financial reasons.

18

I see. If affordability is a potential issue and you want to be able to compare financial offers from different colleges then I’d suggest you not apply ED to Va Tech.