Merit Aid Schools??

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hi! I’m a high school senior with a good reach of reach/match schools, but really need some financial safeties, as my family will not receive much, if any financial aid from any school. My SAT and ACT are decent (2220; 33). I’m hoping to find some really great schools, and though I’m pretty much open to any location, I’d really prefer the West Coast. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I think you need to provide a little more information if you want good recommendations: can you give more detailed stats, like how involved you are in things outside of school? also what kind of school are you looking for? liberal arts or big university? any academic programs you’re interested in? posting your current colleges list could also help us recommend schools that are similar but less selective.</p>

<p>in general, for safeties you really have two options: public schools or safety schools that are likely to give you merit. you should try to have at least one school that you can afford if they give you no merit aid, but it’s ok for most of your safeties just to be schools where you’re above average enough to get extra money. </p>

<p>a way to search for schools would be using a matching resource like this:
[College</a> Search - College Confidential](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/]College”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_search/)
just manipulating your stats to lower than they are so you can find schools that are safeties but have what you’re looking for.</p>

<p>good luck in your search!!</p>

3

<p>Thanks!
As far as activities go:

  • I’m a policy debater and am heavily involved in the debate team: I’m an officer and coordinate social events and community service, and and also involved in the leadership team.
    -I’m also a part of a group of students that meets weekly discussing school policy, and ways to amend it to better suit the needs of students and faculty. I’m also pretty involved in community service: Over the summer, I was selected to work with a group of students, and we interviewed local non-profits and reviewed their grants, and donated $10,000 among them. I’ve also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, and am involved in the youth group pertaining to Habitat trying to raise enough money to build a house.
    -I’ve also played the piano for the past 7 years.
    My extracurricular activities are not stellar, but they’re not lacking too much.</p>

<p>As far as schools go, I’m looking for a school with a smaller setting and a good international relations program. Though I’m not entirely closed to liberal arts schools, I’d like to find a school with great school spirit.</p>

<p>My current list has: Stanford (high reach), Pomona (high reach), Claremont McKenna,(reach), USC (match), USD (safety), WashU (match), Duke (reach), UPenn (reach), and UVA (match). I know it’s a lot of schools, but I’d really like 1 or 2 more safeties to round out the list.</p>

4

<p>Claremont McKenna = reach?
WUSTL = match?</p>

<p>What? I’d be hesitant to call WashU a match for anyone, but if you’re calling McKenna a reach, then WUSTL certainly is a reach as well (unless you have a hook?)</p>

5

<p>Kiplinger’s College Lists have Need and Non-need based aid information: How much the school gives, to what percent of students. I made a list of the ones out East my friend should look into. One useful thing they include: Average amount of debt the student is in after the 4 years of being at that school!</p>

6

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>I’m into IR too- have you considered American? It’s less selective than your other schools and has a great international program, plus a fantastic location. Also, I don’t know if this would be a match or a safety for you but also try Tufts, they’re well known for being strong in IR.</p>

8

<p>Did you specify a major? Try looking into Chapman University for excellent merit-aid.</p>

9

<p>I don’t really think I have a hook, but I’m Hispanic if that helps.</p>

10

<p>You never know, there’s only one way to find out, is by applying.</p>