Yep, great auto-merit too. I made this suggestion upthread, but OP hasn’t seemed interested in any of the suggestions except for possibly SMU.
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Sorry I didn’t respond about Miami. I hear great things and my uncle went there. I was looking at it today and I want to check it out. Thank you
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Does IU give merit?
Yes but not a ton - but a student like you likely gets some.
You can look at the IU thread to see - but most seem to be $6-10K. There are a few other tiers through their SSA but few seem to get that.
That’s why when you mentioned Gtown I asked - is your family ok paying $90K a year vs. say $50K at IU - because that’s a $150K swing?
Do you have any budget limits or desires?
Penn is $93K…x 4.
Think about that.
A Miami Farmer might be $40K (or less), IU $50K. You mentioned Michigan - well most/all the big ten schools are solid from an Iowa Tippie to Michigan State Broad to OSU Fisher, etc. Even Purdue at $40K full price.
So budget is always 1a, 1b, and 1c - and then you go from there.
But you’ve laid out large schools, and then mid size (Gtown, Penn, BC, etc.)
What is it you want - and are you ok with Jesuit - as you mentioned a couple.
Beyond a big name/pedigree - what do you truly seek - because the Michigan/IU/Wisconsin ,etc. experience will be different than an SMU/Gtown/BC/Denver, etc.
Merit would be great, but not needed. I loved Georgetown, but know that is a longshot. I think I would be happy at all the schools listed. They each have something I like, but I know in the end I may not have a choice to make. I’m trying to have a a diverse list and hoping one or maybe a few stick.
I think you need to go back to budget.
Forget which is a longshot.
You said merit will be great.
I would start with a chat with your parents. I’m assuming you don’t qualify for need aid but they (your folks) can check the NPCs of GT and Penn.
The conversation might be like this: Mom, Dad - I’d really love to go to Gerogetown or Penn if possible. But it will be around $400,000. Are you able and willing to pay for that.
You can note that you can get a solid business degree for as little as $80K - and many values in between.
Because you need to know if you should even bother to apply.
I learned about schools that had no merit - at Gtown - when they announced it on the tour. Knowing I’m a full pay family but set a $50K budget, Gtown and many others came off my daughter’s list in the hotel room that night.
So it’s not just what you love - and not just what your parents are able to afford - but it’s really - what are they willing to afford?
Before anyone develops a full list, that’s the first question that has to be answered - and only they can do so.
It’s easy for anyone to throw out a lot of names - and you’ve got a fantastic profile - but we’re not talking about dinner at the Outback. We’re potentially talking about $400K - the price of a home!!
So I’d suggest clarity on that first.
But honestly, your initial list was great - and budget issues aside, any list that includes IU or other assured admits for you, is a great list - regardless of what else you add, no matter how reachy or not.
I would add UNC, UVA and Florida to your list.
Florida is a likely with EA
UNC and UVA will both reach but possible with your GPA and ACT. UNC is mandated to limit OOS to 15%. Both UVA and UNC is. Big legacy school for OOS so it could be a stretch.
Also, I would categorize UGA as likely even though they are mandated to limit OOS to 20%. They care about ACT and 11 APs with high GPA will likley get you in via EA.
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I’m also applying to about 6 big state schools and a few privates.
Male
North Florida Private School
US domestic
Business
UW GPA 4/4 W4.7 ACT Superscore 34
No Class Rank
APHG -3
APCompSci - 4,
APWH 4
APCalc - 4,
APush -4
AP Psych
AP Bio
IBHL English
APcalcBC
AP Gov
Student Class President
PT JOB
Volunteer at a camp for kids with Special Needs
Active in a few clubs
Summer Internship
Dartmouth Book Award
LOR - Very Strong
Essays Strong
Budget open
Medium size school
some sports
campus
greek life a plus
would prefer walkable to restaurants
Is the initial list still valid?
Define budget open ?
Did you explain to your parents you can find schools at $20k to $90k plus.
Are they ok at any price ?
IU Kelley is best value. Madison is more expensive, and might be too close to home; also very political environment, but fine if you agree with the political leanings of the school/city.
BC if you’re Catholic, and SMU if you’re Protestant. UM and Duke as reach schools.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching; only one class is required from philosophical, religious or ethical.
The ‘M’ is pretty much name only.
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Yes, SMU is not very religious (like a Baylor), but Dallas is an acquired taste. A Catholic from Chicago or the NE would have a little culture shock at SMU.
We have lots of Dallas transplants in NW Arkansas!
Our DD and son both looked at SMU…and both considered it for a while. We are not religious in any way. DD went to a Jesuit school that is often compared demographically to SMU. Our DD didn’t feel at all uncomfortable with the religion at either SMU or the Jesuit college she attended, both really are very ecumenical.
The Dallas Fort Worth area is a large metro area. In addition, both Austin and Houston have lots going on.
Some people prefer not to be in Texas. I would suggest you visit SMU if you have the chance.
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Yes, my Catholic kid from the PNW is putting SMU at the top of his list.
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