Finding Safeties for Poli Sci, English Major (intended)

College Search & Lists
1

I have a list of match and reach schools already, but am having a bit of trouble coming up with safety schools. I intend to double major in Political Science and English. I would like a school with more liberal leanings (preferably in the Northeast), but am open to almost anything. I am open to both women’s colleges and co-ed schools. Thank you for all of your help in advance!

• Ranked 3 out of 264
• 3.95 unweighted, 5.08 weighted GPA
• ACT score: 31 composite
o SAT scores from early June are on their way

• 8 AP classes thus far
o AP Physics I, AP Physics II, AP Calculus AB, AP Environmental Science, AP United States History, AP English Language and Composition, AP Statistics, AP Economics
• Triple enrollment in addition to full schedule of base school classes
o Local community college: Calculus II
o North Carolina School of Science and Math: Twenty-First Century Media Studies, Ecocriticism
• Full Scholarship to the North Carolina School of Science and Math Accelerator program (10)
• Accepted student of the North Carolina School of Science and Math online school (11)
• Attendee of the NC Scholastic Media Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill (10)
• Attendee of the NC Central University Law Day (11)
o Selected as one of three students at my school to attend
• Debate team member (9, 10, 11)
o Leadership team (11)
o Co-Captain (12)
• Debate series event coordinator (11)
o Organizer of a series of community debates with prominent figures; trained judges and timers, recruited and trained debaters, publicized the event, etc. Each event was attended by over 300 people
• Local middle school debate coach (10, 11)
o 62 hours; approximately one hour a week for two years
• Local high school debate coach (outside of own school) (9, 10, 11)
o 96 hours; approximately one hour a week for three years

2

Safeties much be known FOR SURE to be affordable; otherwise they can’t be safeties.

How much will your parents pay each year?
Will you be retesting?

3

My parents can put forth about $20k each year (based on our savings); but, they’ll both be retired (while putting one other kid through college), so we expect financial aid to help us out some.

I took the June SAT, so those scores will be back soon. If they’re not up to par, I plan on re-taking.

4

That may or may not be true. Depending on how your need is computed you may only get loans. Run the Net Price Calculator on each school’s web site you are interested in.

5

<<<
but, they’ll both be retired (while putting one other kid through college), so we expect financial aid to help us out some.
<<<

You need to tell your parents that that can NOT be counted on…at all. Absolutely NOT for safeties.

Safety schools (and most match schools and some reach schools) do not give much need based aid.

Your family’s income may drop while retired, but their kids may NOT get one more dime of aid. Do not assume that.

Are you saying that your parents have $160k in “exclusively college savings” for two kids (20k per year)? If so, then for safeties you need to find schools that will give you free tuition for your stats so that your parents’ contribution can pay for room, board, books, fees, travel and misc.