I am a senior (class of 2016) and have plenty of reacher schools. However, my only ‘backup school’ is Boston college, and is more expensive than I was hoping. I also had Ohio State, but then realized it has an undergraduate size of 44,000, much larger than I was hoping. However, here are my stats.
ACT 32
SAT: taken in october and waiting for results
GPA 4.560
Rank: 1
EC: HOSA, TATU/SADD, Varsity Tennis, Debate, Journalism, National Honor Society Vice President
Volunteer: I volunteer every week for 2 hours and have been completing 10 hour of service every semester as a school requirement.
I am a national merit semifinalist and an AP scholar
South Dakota resident
I would prefer east (or even west) coast school as I am originally from the East coast. Money is not an issue for my family, but if I was able to get merit scholarships that would be amazing. I really like the feel and size of boston college (around 9,000) but it costs just as much as any ivy league with terrible merit scholarships (early decision, selection committee after acceptance etc.) Although my parents are able to and more than happy to pay, if I could save them money it would be nice.
Do you have thoughts on what you want to study? Besides the size, what in particular do you like about Boston College. I’d consider Boston College a low match for you but not exactly a safety school.
I want to major in Biology and go pre-med. Sorry I completely forgot to include that. I liked the location and the general atmosphere. I’m not exactly sure how to explain it.
I don’t know anything about their merit scholarships, but Villanova is often compared to Boston College and would be a much safer school (in my opinion Boston College is a match for you, not a safety)
BC is by no means a safety, but since you are from SD that is a big hook so that could work in your favor.
Trinity College in Hartford would be a safety as would Union, Hobart, F&M and St Lawrence. Lafayette, Lehigh are possible too.
You need to lose the phrase “backup school” from your vocabulary. Right now that means I will only go there if I didn’t get into any other school and the world would end if I took a gap year. You need to find a safety that you would be assured of getting in, your family can afford (which seems to be true of just about any school) and that you would be HAPPY to attend. Here are some merit aid options that you can look into. Some of the schools are mid sized like you are looking for.
If you weren’t from South Dakota, BC would not be a safety at all. I don’t know how important the SD angle will be, but in any case, I do think it’s most likely you’ll get in.
My own observation is that Villanova and BC have very similar vibes. I personally found Fordham quite different from them. That said, lots of people must feel differently - there are plenty of kids who are bound and determined to go to BC if the acceptance and/or money comes through, and plan to be off to Fordham if it doesn’t. (Fordham has an NMF full tuition scholarship, I think). Can’t say I know quite as many BC loving kids who feel similarly about Villanova, although since I’m in the Philadelphia area, it may just be that it’s too close to home for some of them.
Two schools that might be worth putting on your radar for huge merit are Providence College and Catholic University of America. Providence is a step down in prestige from Fordham and Villanova, but as such should really come through merit wise. CUA is also a step down and probably more religious in feel than the other schools, but it is highly regarded for internships in the DC area. It’s a lovely campus with easy access to downtown DC - there’s a Metro stop right across the street. Very BC like in that regard. Around here, there are almost as many BC loving kids who end up at Catholic rather Fordham. Take the following middle aged mom opinion with a grain of salt: CUA’s student body has more of that prep school/Catholic school vibe than Fordham does. I found it much more BC like (albeit much more overtly religious).
ETA: Loyola Maryland! Check it out - I think it would be a true safety. They should knock 20 grand off the tuition for you and I think you’ll like the vibe just fine.
What is your unweighted GPA? Most schools for merit look at unweighted GPA. If you want prestige then most likely you will have to trade off merit money. You most likely will get in but not much money. If you want merit money sometimes you trade off on prestige… to be honest, the 32 ACT is big but not necessarily prestige school big. The SD hook is big.