My mom says I need to narrow down my college list! Please help me!

College Search & Selection
#1

<p>Hi guys! My parents want me to spend as little as possible on application fees. I plan on majoring in International Relations and minoring in Middle Eastern studies.</p>

<p>I love all of these schools, but I'm not sure if I can afford to apply to all of them. Please let me know if my list is too reach-heavy. I'm looking for colleges that meet 100% of my demonstrated financial aid. This also doesn't include the state schools that I'm applying to. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Here it is:
Brown (applying ED)
USC
Georgetown
Mount Holyoke
Tufts
Barnard
Claremont McKenna
Emory
Vassar</p>

#2

<p>It is unimaginably short-sighted for a student who needs significant FA to cut back their applications because of fees. If you need good FA you should cast a wide net. Apply for fee waivers if you need to. A hundred dollars in application costs can potentially yield tens of thousands in savings down the road.</p>

#3

<p>With acceptance rates at the top schools so low, I think that you are actually applying to too FEW schools, not too many.</p>

<p>Now is not the time to worry about application fees.</p>

<p>Skip a few dinners at Chili's, and that is a couple application fees right there.</p>

#4

<p>you might want to apply to some top midwestern schools, such as Northwestern or Michigan, if they have IR.</p>

#5

<p>You have no safeties. The less selective a school is, the more likely you are to get merit aid. I know you are asking about need-based aid, but the amount you'll get can be unpredictable.</p>

#6

<p>^OP stated that this list excludes the state schools to which she is applying, which I'm assuming are her safeties.</p>

#7

<p>Seattle_mom: I'm also applying to the University of Arkansas, Missouri State, Mizzou and the University of Central Missouri. Those are my safeties. :) I don't know if Mount Holyoke College could be considered a safety.</p>

<p>I know American offers merit aid. :) You're right that it can be unpredictable.</p>

#8

<p>Cowboycliche22: Yes, you're correct. I put my safeties in the post below yours.</p>

#9

<p>Floridadad55: I was considering UChicago, but I took it off my list because I didn't absolutely love it. I might apply to Grinnell.</p>

#10

<p>Consolation: That's good advice. Do you have any other college suggestions?</p>

#11

<p>OP, I agree with Consolation ... if you need FA casting a wider net makes a lot more sense than narrowing your choices. My suggestion is ask your parents how much they can spend on applications and visits (applications, taking SATs, SAT IIs, and APs, and sending scores) and see how far that will take you on your list .. and then go out and take any work (McDonalds, mowing loans, tutor other kids, etc) and earn money to pay for the other applications ... the additional amount needed to apply is really not that much. Another suggestion would be to talk to an older sibling, close cousin, favorite Aunt/Uncle to see if they will loan you money for the applications.</p>

#12

<p>I'm also applying to the University of Arkansas, Missouri State, Mizzou and the University of Central Missouri. Those are my safeties.</p>

<p>these are your safeties if you know for sure that you have all costs covered. Do you?</p>

<p>What are your stats? That will tell us more about your list, and how many schools you need to apply to.</p>

<p>Have you determined your estimated family contribution? If so, is the amount ok with your parents?</p>

#13

<p>3togo: I do need to find a job. Thanks for the advice! It makes sense.</p>

#14

<p>Mom2collegekids: I'm going to take the ACT in October and the SAT in January (or whenever it's offered).</p>

<p>My UW GPA is 3.9. My W is/will be 4.4. My junior year schedule is: marching/concert band, varsity contest debate, Spanish 2, trig, honors chemistry, honors English and AP US history.</p>

<p>I'm band and debate (obviously) and 4-H. I've won some awards for debate and quite a few for 4-H.</p>

<p>I'll be in NHS next year. I'm in heritage club, Spanish club, key club and I'm in the process of founding a politics/current events club.</p>

<p>I'm trying to organize a day to plant trees in my local park. My hometown's park was completely destroyed. I have been an assistant kindergarten Sunday school teacher for the past four years. I've done some other small things. I'm also going to start volunteering regularly at a shelter. I'm also going to raise awareness at school about the famine in Africa and hope that we raise some money.</p>

<p>I will attend 4-H state congress and Girls State next summer.</p>

<p>Sorry that this is so long and drawn out. I'm trying to provide as much detail that I can think of.</p>

#15

<p>Mom2collegekids: I think our EFC is about 7,000 dollars per year. I'm almost certain that I'll get a full ride at Central Missouri and Arkansas. I'm not sure about Mizzou or MO state. I think it's a bit too early to tell.</p>

#16

<p>*I'm almost certain that I'll get a full ride at Central Missouri and Arkansas. *</p>

<p>What are the req'ts for a full ride to Arkansas?</p>

#17

<p>Actually, I'm not sure. The FA site didn't say. They did list some programs that offer up to $4,500 per year. That's a start, but it would barely cover tuition. Is there a reason why a public college wouldn't offer full-ride scholarships?</p>

#18

<p>grinnell is free to apply to:) that is, if you do it online..</p>

#19

<p>Hannahj65: It is? That's awesome! Thanks for the tip! :)</p>

#20

<p>are you a junior, or a senior? I'm a rising senior now and I know from my own personal experience that the type of colleges that appealed to me last year no longer interest me. For a lot of people, junior year is like a wake up call, so I would just wait a while before you start stressing out about everything:)</p>