Final List: Need to add some financial safeties, also feel free to comment on ED options [KS resident, 3.85 GPA, <$25k, biology (not pre-med)]

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Heads up - I’ve posted search lists for my daughter before -but this is the final senior year post.
Mods - I’d prefer not to link to previous threads if possible. As one would expect, her desires for a college have changed and solidified!

** REQUEST: My daughter is nervous that this list only has ONE true safety/financial safety. Other suggestions welcome -although I’d like them to be better in some way that her safety (Kansas University) - considering Grand View and Central Michigan but are they better than KU?
Wouldn’t mind some feedback on ED options if you know about those schools
Also she’d like one more west coast school - california, oregon, and/or washington state → Thinking Lewis and Clark? Open to other ideas **

Special note: Medical condition that makes alcohol consumption harmful (more than a regular person) - well controlled condition and has not had any impact on academics/general life - but it means she wants to avoid a serious party school. She doesn’t care if other people drink (it’s not a moral issue for her). I’ve left this out before -but thought I’d mention it as it suggest that she will need a school that also has strong non-alcoholic entertainment (robust clubs student orgs or things to do in the area-thrifting, museums, etc)

Demographics

  • US domestic
  • State/Location of residency: Kansas
  • Type of high school (or current college for transfers): Public, suburban
  • Other special factors: None

Cost Constraints / Budget 25-30k NOTE: I HAVE run NPC on ALL the schools below. Unless otherwise indicated -they meet the NPC.

Intended Major(s) Some variation of Biology depending on school. Has interests in Cell/Molecular Biology, Ecology/Evolutionary Biology, Marine Biology, Animal Behavior. Career path unknown. Interested in research, also some interest in non-MD/DO health fields --in other words, she is NOT pre-med, but might consider pre-health fields

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.85
  • Weighted HS GPA: 4.55 Additional points given for honors, dual-enrollment etc.
  • Class Rank: High school doesn’t rank
  • ACT/SAT Scores: Will be test optional

List your HS coursework

(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)

  • English: 4 years, honors
  • Math: (including highest level course(s) completed) has taken College Calculus 1 and College Statistics (Dual enrollment -taken at college)
  • Science: (including which ones, such as biology, chemistry, physics) Biology, Chemistry, enrolled in special program - has 9 additional science classes through this program includes 2 years of research
  • History and social studies: 3 years (honors)
  • Language other than English: (including highest level completed): 2 years of college classes in ASL (dual enrollment -not offered at high school - 4 classes total)
  • Visual or performing arts: 1 year

Awards
6+ poster/research awards at local, state, regional, and national (research area specific) awards
NHS/Letters of Academic Distinction

Extracurriculars
Paid work as Summer Research Assistant (300+ hours): Trained and supervised 6 college/high school students on histology/lab techniques; organized and delegated work duties; ensured consistent data collection methods. After data collection complete: Analyzed data, created figures, completed statistical analysis

Other research work 400+ hours: As part of high school classwork -conducted independent research under supervision of PI (same lab as paid work experience above) - worked as part of research team - -collecting data, learning and then teaching lab techniques - PI so impressed he hired her to work over the summer at lab (only student to get paid work experience)

Barista part time 10 hours per week during school year (Sophomore through Senior year)

Volunteer for past 3 years at one location(250+ hours) increasing level of responsibility over past 3 years, during senior year will be in student leadership position - STEM related

Additional volunteer hours including Women in STEM programs (50+ hours) -probably more hours, but at least 50

Essays/LORs/Other
Essays should be very good- strong writer, will be reviewed by her mentor
LOR will be outstanding

Schools

Considering these schools for ED
OPTION #1: Wellesley College – REACH but ED improves chances –
Pros:
Academically motivated students from a wide variety of backgrounds. Her current lab is primarily women with variety of backgrounds and she feels very at home here. In fact -this school was RECOMMENDED by one of her summer lab mates who goes to school at Wellesley -she said it would be a good fit for my daughter and encouraged her to apply.

Good potential for research with professors
It’s a beautiful “Hogwarts-like” campus and this really appeals to her
Decent dorms and food - no sense of overcrowding here
Close relationships with professors and small class sizes
Boston area -could get to the city
You can cross register at MIT (and some students even do research there)
Cute town nearby
Appears to have excellent study abroad options even for STEM majors - including their own direct school connection in Italy; also has ability to study abroad at Woods Hole (!) for a semester if she wants to explore Marine Biology
Well within budget based on NPC (NO loans)

Cons:
This school is very academically rigorous -and in the past had grade deflation (eliminated in 2019). She worries a bit about work-life balance
No men for dating purposes - her lab mate (who has a boyfriend) said Wellesley women date men from Olin, Babson, MIT and other Boston schools and although you have to make an effort, there are men to date. (Less of a concern now -but put here for completeness)
Biggest con - will she get in? Extremely competitive - ED rate is higher

ED OPTION #2: Northeastern University
Pros:
Co-op program - my daughter is a very strong hands on learner -and this would appeal
Boston - ALWAYS something to do -which would be a big plus
Strong Biology program, has Marine Biology program with a 3 Seas program (basically a year long internship at 3 different marine biology sites for academic credit)
Great research opportunities in Biology and Marine Biology
Has real campus (compared to BU) -although definitely more modern than ‘hogwarts’
Excellent study abroad options including potential to do study abroad for Coop
Well within budget (per NPC, no loans)
ED gives her a real shot at attending TARGET even? (although she might end up admitted to NUin -study abroad for first semester. Unlike other people on CC and Reddit → I don’t think this would be a no-go for her. Also 2nd choice NUin would NOT be binding)

Cons:
Very worried about overcrowding (dorms, library, etc)
Not 100% sure about city living since she hasn’t done it before but open to the idea! Does like to be busy.
People say nasty things about NEU for gaming the system (but I notice it’s primarily people who don’t attend NEU)
Really zero chance of attending without ED

  • Assured (100% chance of admission and affordability): Kansas University

  • LIKELY ADMIT, NEED SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND:

  1. Miami University (Oxford Ohio not Florida) - best shot at need and merit scholarships that will bring this into range; she doesn’t like the small town location but meets other criteria (although might be too big a party place?)
  2. Loyola University Chicago - in nice part of Chicago, Jesuit university is fine with her
  3. Rhode Island University -excellent Marine Bio
  4. Roger Williams University (RI) -excellent Marine Bio

Target -meets budget per NPC calculator
Mulhenberg College
Union College
Brandeis College
Mount Holyoke

MODERATE REACH - often because these are need-aware
Skidmore
Macalester
Smith
Scripps

HARDER REACH
Colorado College - great Ecology/Evolutionary biology; is okay with the block plan, likes the experiential learning element A LOT
Washington and Lee - wondering if we should consider this as another ED, NPC is VERY reasonable even without Johnson -but the heavy Greek emphasis gives me pause - I might be allowing my own bias into play

LOTTO WIN REACH
Princeton (I know, I know - probably 0.01% chance if that) but the NPC is ridiculously low and it’s a beautiful place

2

Has she visited Northeastern? I would not ED to a school if she is unsure about the location.

It seems to me that KU offers a lot in biology, and I really do not know what you mean by an additional safety being “better.” The only other suggestions I have (but not on the west coast) would be Endicott and URI, if they look affordable. I would not call them better or worse, just additional schools.

1 Like
3

We will make a VERY QUICK trip to visit her top ED schools. I just want to see if anyone has any thoughts before we make the trip. NEU and Wellesley are easy to do in the same trip.

URI is on the list but would need a scholarship – Endicott is unfortunately too expensive. :frowning:

1 Like
4

It looks like you have schools that meet need and look affordable. I can’t think of any schools that would provide enough merit (not need based) to meet the cost of KU.

1 Like
5

I agree — she was just worried if she didn’t get into any targets — she would be stuck with her only true safety

ETA - the other safeties aren’t guaranteed to make budget

6

KU seems to offer a lot for her potential major. Looks like she will need grad school and there is no reason why KU cannot get her there.

What about the other state schools you mentioned?

7

She really does NOT want to stay in Kansas. If that was her only acceptance she would likely take a gap year rather than go.

Most OOS public schools are a no go because they offer little to no aid.

8

First, KU is a GREAT school. It’s also U of Kansas and not Kansas University (but it is KU, no different than U of Oklahoma is OU) :slight_smile: And it’s Honors program is top notch. You are only looking at Grand Valley because they’re out of state - but does that matter?

In that regard, there’s W Carolina, U Memphis, and others down South - i won’t go there, I think red states were a no - no if I recall. Then again, you have Miami Ohio

If schools meet the NPC, they’re worth a gander -

Now your list -

Which is her favorite ? That’s where you ED.

If you’re concerned about rigor/grade deflation - that can be anywhere (major specific) and you really can’t know until after you’re there.

My question is - has she been and is Wellesley clearly her top choice?

It’s not a game - and it’s not an automatic. If she gets turned down, so what? You gave it your all. 61% submitted a test - will she get in? Unlikely but if that’s the top choice, then it is.

Now Northeastern - why? In some ways, how you write, it should be #1…and maybe Wellesley shouldn’t be at all.

Miami - highly, highly, highly unlikely - your student is solid but given their merit…and yes, it can happen…but it’s highly highly unlikely - a wasted app in my opinion.

Loyola - no clue about cost potential.

URI - not happening at budget in my opinion

Roger Williams - not happening

Muhlenberg - if they’re willing to shell out, then yeah…but are they willing?

Same with Union, Brandeis, Mt. Holyoke and the rest.

W&L is need blind at least.

With this list, I’m guessing you’re going to KU.

If KU is an absolute no and you want other options, and I’m going red and marine bio

U South Alabama is $33,500 tuition room and board. Do you have an SAT or ACT and just aren’t using it - it is needed for merit.

U Maine Machias

U Southern MIss

I know she’s not interested in a SEMO - as an example.

Check the Hofstra NPC

East Stroudsburg might work

Tennessee Tech has marine bio and hits…fine school.

U Wisconsin Whitewater and Superior have a major that might interest you - covering many interests

U Memphis - not marine focused…UTC too, a very popular school but you’ll need an SAT/ACT there for money.

Texas Tech - if you get a scholarship, you’d be good - they have ecology and environmental biology. TO gets you $1,500 and in-state tuition. But if you have a test, it goes up.

I may be wrong and I wish you luck but I think you’re waaaaay overreaching.

But I do think NU sounds like what you want; not so much Wellesley but given they are need blind, perhaps it’s worth a shot vs. the others.

I hope i’m wrong, of course, but I think KU is a fine school and I gave you others that could work full pay…but as you asked, are they better than KU?? And even if cheaper, how do you get there?

btw - KU is a known brand and I get people want to move away from home but in the end, does she want her resume to say KU or CMU? Nothing wrong with CMU but.

I think she gets into the Muhlenbergs of the world but then as a need aware school, would they want her? Same with a Brandeis, etc.. It just depends on how deep they’re willing to go. And would she want to go to a world class school (KU) or one no one has ever heard of (Muhlenberg)…so I personally think there’s more than - she wants to be OOS.

I’m not sure how a gap year helps her. A test would definitely help her with admissions - especially in 2025 and moreso in 2026 if she took a gap year.

Community college may be a route to then get into higher tier schools.

Good luck.

9

At the end of the day she can only go to a school that is affordable. What about Central Michigan?

Muhlenberg is affordable based on the NPC?

10

Wow — well that’s not what I’m expecting but everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I’ve run NPCs — as indicated. If it’s on this list as a target the NPC has been run and it is well within budget.

And it’s Miami Ohio not Florida. Miami is easily a safety for her and they offer very robust merit and need aid.

3 Likes
11

She can take a look at SUNY Oneonta but I don’t think it will be “better” than KU. I think it will be very close to your budget due to their OOS scholarship.

What would she do during a gap year that could potentially lead to additional acceptances or merit?

My guess is that she will be accepted to Muhlenberg.

12

You asked - and I know it’s Miami - you noted Oxford.

U Miami meets need. You didn’t name it so you didn’t look or it didn’t meet.

Miami of Ohio is a wasted app in my opinion. You are not a resident. If that was the case, you should check UNC and UVA - that meet need.

Now, perhaps worth of an app would be Ohio U - tuition, room and board is about $38K. 99% get aid averaging $9K per the website. They don’t have a table - so there’s a chance…to get to cost. How good a chance I don’t know but I’m guessing better than Miami.

Found another - Colorado Mesa has a Mountains and Plains deal - covers Kansas and many more states. So it should work. Has concentrations in these areas:

  • Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology (CMDB)
  • Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology (EEOB)

I think the lack of test will hurt.

I liked your write up for Northeastern but they are need aware but they can swing the $$. W&L and Wellesley are need blind. I didn’t love your write up for Wellesley, at least to bind yourself. Then again, given the strict budget, choice may not be a thing.

I think you can get into some need aware - but they’re not targets - they’re reaches or unknowns because will a Muhlenberg spend the $$. There was an article showing how Lafayette decides and they turn down studs that need too much because they want their $$ to be spread to more kids. So that’s the unknown. Northeastern has the greater ability to fund your student. Lafayette (see article below) 5 years ago turned down 200 kids due to this.

And yet we just saw a first gen getting a great package at Union…but I don’t think you’re first gen.

Please don’t take offense - you asked an opinion. That’s what it is and i offered up some other non KU choices.

And you asked a great question - are others better than KU? I gave you many - and that’s the question to ask. If you lived in Indiana, as an example, you might think KU was a splendid choice. And KU and KSU are both fine schools.

You only need one and I do hope you get one - but you asked for opinions.

I think the lack of a test score is a big thing - especially at need aware schools. The academics - she’s got some college classes so that helps.

I wish you luck - was just giving my honest opinion.

Here’s an article - there was a newer version but this is one I can find. Again, just trying to be realistic and helpful - not offensive. I wish you luck.

How Family Finances Sway Admissions Decisions

13

And I get that you are trying to be helpful and I should look at it through that lens. Guess only time will tell.

14

Miami of Ohio does give merit aid to non-residents. I know students who got (unless they stopped or require a test score).

15

There’s a lot of knowledge on this board. I’m sure that many academic advisors frequent here. The rest of us have been through this with our kids…several times.

I wouldn’t ED unless she was 110% sure it’s her top choice after visiting during the school year when campus is busy.

Northeastern is a love it or hate it school imho. No in-between. S20 liked it. Co-op was a plus for him.

A GAP year isn’t advisable unless there’s an outstanding opportunity to add to your application. A year off isn’t going to change your outcomes.

Loyola most likely won’t be affordable unless she wins the Ignatian full tuition scholarship. It’s hyper competitive. A 4.0/1500 SAT might get an interview. Test optional will hinder her scholarship chances at Loyola and other schools.

Her most important application is KU. S20 wanted nothing to do with our flagships. I made both sons apply to at least one. Didn’t care which one. S20 visited our local flagship on one of their big info days. It got him acclimated just-in-case. He might not have been thrilled but he would’ve been comfortable. Both ended up elsewhere.

2 Likes
16

Scholarships | Costs and Financial Aid | Miami University suggests “starting at” $20k for non-resident applicants with 4.3+ weighted GPA (taken at face value from HS transcript). But non-resident cost is $57k, so the student in question needs something larger than the “starting at” $20k scholarship.

4 Likes
17

You asked for West Coast - so I don’t know about Lewis & Clark (private) - some meet need like Reed, Occidental, USC?. I hear U Portland can get low $30s from another poster.

I think maybe some Idaho type schools can work but guessing not what you are seeking.

I looked at publics (regional ones) in Oregon and Washington but they don’t come close.

18

I agree with the no ED, especially at a school where you might not be happy.

But if you’re desperate for a big name and not interested in the hometown school, then flexibility or having to like the school are sort of out the window.

So in that sense, maybe it’s worth the gamble…but it is a gamble because you have to be somewhere for four years, day after day.

I do wonder if the need blind schools are better for ED, given the amount of need required? I’m not sure - just a thought, based on what the Lafayette article revealed.

19

People who love Wellesley often love the skootch easier " admits…Mt Holyoke, Bryn Mawr, Agnes Scott. Worth running the numbers to see. Also…UVM affordable???

2 Likes
20

Another thing to consider are expenses. Flights, especially non-direct can get expensive. Cities like Boston aren’t cheap. Off-campus rent can be high. Dining, concerts, etc. also aren’t cheap.

3 Likes