Amherst is a top 3 LAC every year on US News. Look at their Common Data Set. Their 25th percentile ACT is 32. It is a disservice to students to encourage them to apply to schools where they have no shot.
I respect your opinion, but I disagree that OP has no shot simply due to her ACT score. It is a reach.
Also, because Amherst College reports SAT scores to US News, OP has a very slight advantage in reporting an ACT score.
I think it is a disservice to discourage one with the ability from applying to a school that is a fit. You think that the standardized test score establishes OP’s ability, I do not.
P.S. Just by applying to Amherst College (if OP thinks it is a fit) with excellent recs & well written essay show positive qualities about OP. Fear of failure is not a positive quality.
Go ahead and apply anywhere you’d like; the only people whose opinions really count are the adcoms. However, the issue here is not only test scores (26) but also the GPA (3.25UW).
Therefore I’d say Amherst is out-of-reach, so time might be better spent building a more realistic reach-match-safety list.
If you like LACs like Amherst, then yes, you might want to consider some of the Colleges That Change Lives. IMO the biggest differences between Amherst and the CTCL schools is that the latter are less selective, and (maybe more importantly) less generous with need-based aid. So, I doubt any of them can be considered “safe”. For that, in-state public college (possibly one within commuting distance) may be appropriate.
A relatively selective school that admits you in the EA round also can become a de facto safety, as long as you’re confident you can cover the net cost. CTLC schools with EA options include:
Beloit
Centre
Eckerd
Goucher
Hendrix
Kalamazoo
Lawrence
McDaniel
We all realize that OP’s numbers are low for certain schools & that has been addressed multiple times in this thread.
I see sought after qualities in OP & obvious reasons for her numbers unrelated to intellectual ability.
@mrp1027 You sound like a very worthy young person who has sacrificed to keep your family afloat financially. I am sure that many schools will value your character and work ethic.
Is it possible to retake precalc and have the new grade replace the old? That is possible at some schools.
Also, is there a noncustodial parent in the picture? From your description, it sounds like your mother is low-income and probably low asset. However, most CSS Profile schools will request financial information from a non-custodial parent. If your father has not been present in your life, that requirement can be waived but you would need to submit supporting documentation to make that happen.
Having helped a low income relative in her college search, I have found that there is often a significant gap between the FAFSA EFC and the aid package which is typically bridged through significant loans. Do not assume that a low EFC means that is the cost for your family.
My advice - work through the financials first with your parent(s) and that may help to pare down your list.
If your GC supports you and you have strong teacher recs that will help, but I agree with @intparent, it only helps so far. I think that Vassar/Amherst/Wesleyan/Grinnell are unlikely with your present profile. I think Mount Holyoke and Clark are more reasonable reaches.
As for your list, as you are receptive to women’s colleges, you might consider somewhat less selective schools like Agnes Scott or Wesleyan College (GA, not CT).
For CTCL schools, I also would take a look at Knox, Lawrence, and Beloit.
I don’t know the Ohio public universities that well, but your in state options under safeties are all fine places. You have received good advice upthread about additional options. As mentioned, strong teaching programs are often found at regional campuses rather than flagship. While it’s not your dream LAC, Youngstown State might be very affordable and there are merit awards that you might be able to get.
Also, as mentioned upthread, Berea and Warren Wilson, both “work colleges” can be very affordable for low-income families if you qualify.
Best of luck to you!
OP: Your chances of admission to Amherst College, Wesleyan University, Vassar College and Grinnell are zero if you do not apply.
The above posters all mean well, but I think that they underestimate you as well as your hooks.
If you determine that any of the above four schools are fits for you, then I will help you. The most that you place at risk are a few or a couple of application fees–which can be waived if you ask–and the chance that you might receive a very polite rejection letter (which happens to many with near perfect GPAs & much higher standardized test scores.
I believe that you are more than your numbers–obviously some others disagree. Our opinions do not matter. Your opinion & your teachers’ opinions & Amherst admissions officers’ opinions do count. Do you believe in yourself ?
If accepted to any of these four schools, you are likely to receive outstanding financial aid packages & are sure to be challenged & to receive an excellent education.
Hooks for low income and first generation are definitely more important today at elite schools than they were 30 years ago. Give it a try.
@Publisher I’m not sure why it matters that Amherst sends SAT scores to USNews. The Common Data Set is what matters. It gives a realistic view of admitted student statistics. If the OP gets her test score up to a 32 (25th percentile), or even a 31, she could take a shot. But she has a lot of other good schools on her list and should focus on those instead. Another way to think about it is that every waiver, dollar, or time spent on applications for out of reach schools is resource not focusing on schools far more likely to admit that would be a good fit for the OP as well.
@publisher,
Amherst’s website shows a 13% overall admission rate (don’t have the ED/RD breakdown available, but the RD will be lower, and the 2017 CDS shows a 3:1 ED/RD ratio) and there is no indication this poster is considering applying ED anywhere, with good reason) and the first gen rate was only 11%. This is a student who appears to need to be prudent about the schools with the best chance of affordable admission, and even if a school meets 100% of demonstrated need, adding a school that in truth has a very low probability of admission is simply chasing butterflies. While its nice to be idealistic sometimes, directing wide-eyed, novice applicants in a direction that may not be the best use of their time of money is, IMO, not helpful to them.
How about Bennington. Sarah Lawrence, or Wheaton in Mass?
^ neither Bennington nor Sarah Lawrence are possible choices for a student with significant financial need.
First gen students get some slack on test scores, especially if they don’t attend a good school. There’s a minimum but for tippy tops, a 27-28 when your school’s average is 18 (or lower) or when you’ve overcome a lot of obstacles shows you’re able to do the work. It may not be enough but it can, depending on everything else. The GPA I’ll be more of a problem.
But all in all, I agree you can try.
When I added the very high reaches section to my list, I did so because 1. My list is very open right now and 2. There was one or so posters who strongly believed I had some kind of chance. I’m not naive, I understand that statistically my chance at these schools are extremely slim. This is why I put these schools in a category separate from my reach schools.
However, like I’ve stated before, I’m less knowledgeable in the admissions process than I would like to be, which is why I’ve turned to this site. Everyone so far has added something helpful, even if it’s small. I’ve learned that colleges read an applicant holistically and one or two people believe that this is enough for a shot at one of these schools. I myself went into this forum without the slightest thought of considering schools like those, however, I’m open to everybody’s opinions and for this reason I’m going to look into it because someone thought it was a good idea. There is no harm in doing this. I won’t get my hopes up because I myself see how unrealistic my stats are and having these places on my list by no means is saying I’m going to apply to any or all of them. I’m simply keeping an open mind to what everyone has to say.
@Publisher I agree with you that if I spent my high school years in a different environment with different circumstances, my numbers would not be what they are. I too like to be idealistic and hope that they will see this especially if I get my test scores in range and have a strong essay and recommendations, so for this reason I’m not shutting out the idea of these schools at all. However, I must be straightforward and say that realistically, I need to focus on getting into my safety, target, and reach schools first before I can start thinking about those schools. I plan on applying to all my schools except for one or two safeties RD because I’ll have my senior grades to show improvement and I’ll have my second semester internships set in stone which could help me. So looking into these super reach schools will come later in the semester for me after I’ve applied to everywhere else first.
I do believe my teachers will write good recommendations for me. I haven’t started on this yet as I want to get a little more into the school year to show improvement from last year. However, I’ve had most of my teachers every year since I was a freshman, some for 6 classes over the course of high school. They know me well and I’ve always done fairly well in their classes besides the time my grades slipped, although I still tried to produce quality work, I just had difficulty getting it in on time if at all which is what had a big impact. My counselor is aware that working affected my grades, although she doesn’t know the details of why I was working or anything like that.
My SATs went very well today in my opinion. The reason my ACT score was so low was because I only finished 3/4 of the sections before time was up and struggled with math, however I finished nearly everything today and felt more confident in the math section. Once I get my scores back in a couple weeks I’ll have a better idea of where I stand. I didn’t take the writing because I had to pay the late fee and that on top of it would have been a lot, however, I have 3 more times to take it and I’m going to spend a lot of time practicing by myself and sign up ahead of time. If I can get my scores into range, then Publishers schools will seem way more realistic, although still a reach, than before and this is when I will start seriously considering them.
Thank you for your opinion everyone. Hearing different sides has helped immensely and has given me a lot of confidence.
@mamaedefamilia My parents are separated, although not divorced. I live full time with my mom and only see my dad a few times a year. It was to my understanding that with FAFSA, if your parents are separated you only give the information for whoever you live with the most. Is this accurate?
He does not pay any kind of child support, although I think he just now started to save up a little to help me get started in college, but it isn’t a lot.
Do you or anyone else have more information about FAFSA or the financial aspects of college? What do I need to run a NPC and will I need to include both my parent’s incomes for this if I only live with one?
Also, a lot of others have suggested those, I’ll definitely check them out especially if I’m not into the safeties/targets in my state after visiting them. Thank you!
Hi @mrp1027 . First of all Congrats on your SATS today. I, for one, am so impressed with all you are doing to try and figure this out. It is a daunting task for all and for someone who is not able to get a lot of help even more so. There are organizations who can mentor you through this process and you should google and see if you qualify for some. As far as schools go I agree with Publisher that you might have a shot at some of your reach schools. I also wanted to tell you to check into Kenyon (An Ohio school with a great Film Department who says they meet 100% of financial aid) and also look into Emerson in Boston. The fact that you will be first generation college will for sure help you! Also if your father is not in the picture I believe he does not have to be considered for financial concerns. Also I believe Kenyon does not even have an application fee or any extra essays so what can you lose? And while it is great you are asking for advice, please follow your heart and apply to a school even if you think it is a reach. You have a lot to offer and many schools will see that and be forgiving of some of your past bad grades. Most importantly try and find some good people at your school to advocate on your behalf. Good LUCK!!
Here is a list of the top 40 colleges and universities that have no application fee.
https://scholarshipfellow.com/40-top-colleges-without-application-fees/
Lots of good schools for you to consider. If your school self reports your test scores you might be able to spare that cost as well.
I would encourage you to look at Tulane, Carleton College, Wellesley, Colby, Smith, Reed, Grinell, Union. I believe you already mention Bryn Mawr, Denison Mount Holyoke and Hampshire. Look at Rhodes, Sewanee, and Hobart William Smith.
If you have time check out a book called, “Colleges that Change Lives.”
If I can get my SAT up to a 1350-1400, do I have a chance at Smith, MOHO, Clark, or Hampshire? Looking back at my PSAT score from both 10th and 11th grade, my reading was above the 25th percentile for all of these schools, so I think it’s realistic that I can get it up to at least the median by October-December. My math score was a bit below the 25th, but also I took the PSAT without a calculator both times (not by choice) lol.
These are my “dream schools” as of right now, especially MOHO, and I’m contemplating on whether or not I should spend some of the money I have saved up to go and visit them.
Basically I was wondering, do I have a solid enough chance as to where a visit/interview would be practical or should I not waste money on something I don’t have a chance with?
I only plan on visiting my other out of state targets if I don’t get into these ones after I find out where I’ve been accepted to for the sole purpose of saving money and because they’re more dispersed across different areas.
I would save your money until you get admitted but that is up to you. Most schools will still arrange for you to interview via Skype or an alumni or if a rep is visiting your area.
And I think you already have a good shot at those 4 schools you mention, but of course higher test scores will always help.
@collegecurious I’ve always thought I would like Kenyon, but have never considered it because of their 3.9 average GPA. Although now that I’m looking at the common data set, there are way more people in my GPA range than I thought, so I might give it a shot!
I’ll check all of the other schools out too. I’ve played around with CTCL’s website, but I definitely do want to read the book as many people have suggested schools on there.
I have a question for you and others on this site. Most people say not to apply to more than 6-8 colleges at most. I do understand that even if an app is free, it costs money to send a transcript, however that isn’t bad at all compared to the cost of an application. I was wondering if in my scenario, because some of my reaches are very off regarding my GPA, if it would be beneficial to apply to more than this, given that most of the schools I apple to have free apps. I have the time to write extra supplementary essays if I start now, which would help, and like you mentioned with Kenyon, there’s no harm in applying.
Would 2 very reliable safeties, 3-4 targets, and 4+ reaches be unrealistic? I guess I’m just afraid that all of my targets and reaches are going to be rejections and that if I apply to more there’s a decent chance I’ll get into at least 1; I’d rather work more on applications and spend slightly more money (again, a lot of the colleges I like have free apps) and be on the safe side. Would this be a good decision or would it be better to just apply to a few? Do many people apply to more than 8 or so?
@mrp1027 many, many people apply to way more than 6-8. In our area the average is 12-14. I know of people who have applied to up to 18. It is up to you to apply to what you can handle from both a financial and work standpoint. That said please do not apply to a school unless you would be actually be happy to attend it. As you already know your list should be a mix of reach, target and likely schools. There is no magic number but I would shoot for 12. Maybe 10 or maybe 14 once you really see which ones you like. Keep in mind too that if you really love a school you will have a better chance of getting in if you commit to going early decision or early decision 2. If a school is interested in you they can ask for whatever interim senior fall grades you have and your school should be prepared to send them out.