Here’s a puzzle for you CCers. I have an acquaintance, a young woman from NC. She’s from a low income background, had a very bad home life (alcoholic mom on public assistance, absent dad), had to work nearly full time during high school in order to put food on the table. First in her family to go to college. (Her family thinks a liberal arts school means she’s going to study art.) She was an A student and played in band, but didn’t take most of the advanced classes at her high school (one of the highly competitive ones in Chapel Hill), because she needed to work. She’s got good SAT scores, Reading: 630 Writing: 630 Math: 670 and a 5 on one AP exam. She’s emancipated from her parents now and has taken a gap year to work. She needs to find a college with strong academics and a supportive academic environment where she can graduate with as little debt as possible. She’s not sure what she wants to study, but is leaning towards social work. She hasn’t the means or support to go visit colleges and do overnights etc. Would love to hear your ideas of where she should apply. I’ve suggested Berea. Would love to hear your thoughts.
So 1300 m+cr is pretty good. Lack of rigor may be a bit of a problem. Aside from berea, Google ‘work colleges’ for other choices. She will qualify for some of the automatic colleges, listed in the pinned threads at the top of the financial aid forum. I would encourage her to look at the schools that meet full need, three are many good LAC that will look holistically. Are you saying the parents are part of the decision for some reason ( no lac?).
No, the parents are out of the picture. She’s living with my sister right now and working. I think an LAC would be best for her.
Look at some of the ones listed here in the ‘meets need’ list, scroll down for it
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need-blind_admission
Belmont Abbey College
U of Pennsylvania
Cornell University
North Carolina Central University
Wesleyan College
Duke University
Guilford College
Mississippi University for Women
U of South Carolina-Columbia
Vanderbilt University
Wofford College
Add Mississippi State University.
Per the College Scorecard data files, there are only 25 traditional (I excluded seminaries, art schools, etc.) four-year private or North Carolina public schools with SAT (or comparable ACT) averages between 1050 and 1350 and average net prices under $10,000 for very low income students:
0169 Berea College
4903 Colby College
5729 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
6032 Christian Brothers University
6456 North Carolina State University at Raleigh
6845 Appalachian State University
7094 Lincoln Memorial University
7134 University of North Carolina at Asheville
7397 Sewanee-The University of the South
7958 University of North Carolina Wilmington
8239 Brigham Young University-Hawaii
8319 Trinity College
8375 University of North Carolina at Charlotte
8469 The Baptist College of Florida
8546 Kenyon College
8547 Lyon College
8583 East Carolina University
8599 University of Richmond
8753 Skidmore College
9312 Soka University of America
9342 Saint Joseph’s College-New York
9498 Denison University
9747 Lafayette College
9776 Milligan College
9848 Brigham Young University-Provo
Thanks, that’s helpful. I haven’t been able to figure out that site very well. How do you do a search of the data files?
Please have her apply to Duke. Speaking as a first generation student, they’ve recently expanded the first gen scholarships and program. Not only would they certainly cover her full expenses ( also speaking from experience as a low income house) they will also provide so many opportunities with full financial backing for those as well. It’ll be tough but she sounds tough.
I was typing so furiously that I feel I might not have made sense.
Duke covers 100% of demonstrated need. Meaning and house with less than $60k annual is fully covered.
The university also has an extensive first generation programs with mentors and opportunities. This year they’ve expanded the program.
The opportunities given to her by going to Duke would be enhanced by the fact that she wouldn’t have to pay for anything if she has the demonstrated need. Study abroad, Duke engage, and summer courses can be covered.
I also feel it necessary to explain that the school provides a wonderful liberal arts education.
Please look into applying. I know she’d be a wonderful fit.
It’s great she wants to study social work! I plan on studying it as well, so I love hearing from others who do.
She’d get automatic full ride at Tuskegee University & Alabama State. She’d get full tuition & room at Howard. I’m not sure if gap year students are eligible.
She could attend Duke for nearly, if not, free.
I would second @LakeWashington’s suggestion of Wesleyan College in Macon GA (at least, I’m assuming that’s the school she meant.) It’s a good choice if you prefer a women’s college. It has an estimable institution with a strong commitment to economic diversity (over 36% of its students qualify for Pell Grants) and the OP wouldn’t have to leave the south.
Ironically, for a reach school, I think the “other” Wesleyan, the tiny university in Middletown CT, might be very attractive both academically and financially. The scale is completely different - the entire campus of its Macon cousin would be smaller than its freshmen class - but there’s a similar commitment to economic diversity (about 21% of the last freshmen class qualified for Pell Grants.) Plus, I think you could play the geographic diversity card, assuming you’re willing to go outside your comfort zone for an education in New England.
Definitely look beyond the sticker price when comparing the two: the wealthier college may actually cost you less, according to college scorecard:
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?141325-Wesleyan-College
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?130697-Wesleyan-University
Yes, I meant Wesleyan College, a very fine and under-appreciated institution [for women] in Georgia. I also had a classmate from Mississippi University for Women in grad school and she was sharp, obviously.
Thanks for the replies. Her grades are good, but she’s low on academic rigor (AP classes) compared to her high school peers, a choice she made because of having to work for many hours after school each day. It seems unlikely that Duke would accept her when they have so many NC applicants to choose from. But maybe.
The GC or an adult (community supervisor? clergy?) should emphasize that some academic choices were made due to the necessity of earning money to help provide for her family but that she had the academic potential to be enrolled in AP classes.
Davidson has made a pledge to increase socio economic diversity and she’d get a financial aid package without loans if admitted, so it’s worth applying.
She’s in at UNC Wilmington and they said she should apply to the honors college. Also in at Mount Holyoke. Not sure about the money yet. Still, two good options.
She’s lucky to have you helping her, @Earthmama68
Fantastic!
Congratulations ! And mount Holyoke = wow 
Their financial aid packages tend to be very good, too.
I think MHC is such a nurturing environment. I think it would be great for her. My daughter was accepted there too. Would be nice to have both girls at the same school.