<p>rocket6louise - I don’t think you have much to worry about - with your gpa/ACT, you should be fine since you aren’t applying to big reach schools. </p>
<p>vp - an understandable misunderstanding…lol. Unlike rocket6louise, my D has a number of uber-reaches on her list, so I’m glad her number of apps aren’t limited. I do, however, think that part of the reason the admissions decisions have become so crazy is that kids are applying to way more schools than in the past.</p>
<p>teenage_cliche, now I have college-fair-envy. 
That’s one fine collection of schools to pull together on short notice.</p>
<p>rocket louise - with an ACT score like that your are sure to get merit aid at some schools.</p>
<p>where are you going to apply?? and if you would be happy with community college, then you might as well apply at schools where your ACT score will get you $$$.</p>
<p>Wow, I just heard the entire Ft. Worth school district with some 80,000 students has been closed for a week due to one 12 year old student’s unconfirmed case of swine flu.</p>
<p>Isn’t Ft. Worth rather spread out, and they closed the whole district and not just one school? Who’s going to pay the extra fee for the extended day for all the AP exams that won’t be going on in all those HS in the area? Yikes!</p>
<p>We have a rather unique set up for part of our district of 5,000 students The Office of Child Development (pre-school) an elementary school, the middle school , high school and continuation HS are are located adjacent to one another. So, if just one of them in the cluster had to be shut, I’d expect all those schools would. That would just leave the adult school and four elementary schools open. So in our district’s case, one school now might cause a total closure. But in Ft. Worth, aren’t some of these schools going to be tens of miles away from the school the infected student attends?</p>
<p>Maine has announced that if there is a confirmed case in any school, that school will close plus any others that are serviced by the same buses. So most schools in our small district would be affected.</p>
<p>Texas has cancelled ALL academic and athletic competitions through at least May 8. I feel for the kids - I know for my junior, the outdoor track season is very important since college coaches will use the times to evaluate the prospects.</p>
<p>rocket6louise, I just checked some of your previous posts. Could you please forgive a wants-to-be-helpful-Mom?</p>
<p>You mentioned in previous posts that your parents expect you to pay your own application fees and all of your own college costs. I <em>highly</em> recommend you check out [QuestBridge</a> Home Page](<a href=“http://www.questbridge.org/]QuestBridge”>http://www.questbridge.org/) to see if you would be eligible for the program based upon your family’s financial situation. Through it you are able to apply free to the partner schools although depending upon your family’s financial situation you may have to pay for submitting the CSS Profile. Some of the Questbridge partner schools are ones you’ve evidently been interested in. I see a parent has already recommended you check out the program.</p>
<p>Secondly, you can get some application fee waivers through your guidance counselor. These waivers can be granted either on family income or special circumstances. See [College</a> Application Fee Waivers](<a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/fee-waivers]College”>College Application Process – Counselors | College Board) for info.</p>
<p>Third, while you did great on the ACT, I don’t see any mention of SAT subject tests. Some schools require them, including many of the QB partner schools. I would sign up for the June subject tests and take them again in October if necessary. Again, you may be eligible for fee waivers for these. See [Fee</a> Waivers Reductions](<a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/waivers]Fee”>K–12 Educators: SAT Fee Waivers – SAT Suite | College Board) </p>
<p>Fourth, you’ve mentioned an interest in neuroscience and technical theater. Based upon what I’ve read here on CC, Brown immediately comes to mind as great place for you to apply. If your family is low-income I think it could be an option. Others here probably have more insight into good fits for you. </p>
<p>I really, really think given your strong profile it is worthwhile for you to apply to those uber-reach schools which give fantastic financial aid.</p>
<p>Parents, what do you think? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/699864-will-i-regret-someday.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/699864-will-i-regret-someday.html</a></p>
<p>rocket6louise:</p>
<p>Based on the info thread that 2blue directed us to, I think you’ll find it worth your time, effort and money to apply to a couple of those uber reach schools. Remember the old saying, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Also, I suspect writing the essays for these uber reaches will get you in fine tune to filling out the applications for the rest on your list.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Keilexandra, I disagree with your statement that you have to apply to more (10+) schools. It’s not how many schools you apply to, it’s WHICH schools. If you apply to schools where your stats are near or above the 75th percentile, you’re more likely to get merit aid. If you apply to schools where you are an exact match, you’re not likely to see big scholarship offers.</p>
<p>rocket6louise - I completely agree with 2 blue. Please look into Questbridge, application fee waivers and test fee waivers. It can’t hurt, and may help. Don’t be afraid of falling in love with a school just because you applied. My D is a little afraid of that as well, but she’s not letting that stop her from applying. You don’t want to live with regrets. Sure you may not get into your uber-reach school, but you may - but only if you apply.</p>
<p>Lafalum - exactly what I was thinking!</p>
<p>Good thoughts …</p>
<p>A recent Eagle Scout had as his project to install motion sensor operated hand sanitizer dispensers at all the schools in the district, particularly in the school cafeterias. Given the recent news about the swine flu, this now looks like a great project.</p>
<p>However … the dispensers have to be operational. I strolled through the HS cafeteria last week and watched three girls clustered around the dispenser, trying to make it work. No dice. Perhaps the less high tech model would have been a better idea.</p>
<p>I bought some travel sized hand sanitizers containers while at the druge store recently. And my S (probably truthfully) admits that if I gave him one for his backpack, he’d forget to use it. Being on the water polo/swim team, he’s a water baby in the afternoon, but it’s the rest of the time that’s concerning. Also, not sure of that locker room, either.</p>
<p>2Blue
thank you sooo much for the encouragement…
my family is not super low income, but we are considered relatively low…i think our income is under 70k…so prob too high for questbridge…</p>
<p>given that this is my financial situation, can i still apply for fee waivers? i don’t want to take advantage of the system because i do work and can afford a few (ie 4 to 5) application fees</p>
<p>as far as SAT II’s go, i’m still undecided whether or not to take them…my current list really doesn’t require them…</p>
<p>thanks for being nebby 2blue…
i appreciate all the information</p>
<p>Here’s info from the QB FAQ:</p>
<p>"Some of the factors we use to assess financial need include:</p>
<pre><code> *Annual household income: Most National College Match scholarship recipients have come from households earning less than $60,000 annually. If you come from a household earning more than this amount but still feel that you have faced economic hardship, there is room on the application to explain your situation.
*Additional information about household circumstances such as:
oNumber of people in the household.
oThe cost of living in your area.
oOther financial commitments, such as medical bills or support payments to family members outside the United States.
</code></pre>
<p>For previous award recipients’ income statistics, please view the information on the Awardee Overview page."</p>
<p>Here’s the link so you (and your parents?) can take a look: [National</a> College Match - Selection Criteria](<a href=“http://www.questbridge.org/cmp/criteria.html]National”>http://www.questbridge.org/cmp/criteria.html)</p>
<p>Assuming no unusual financial assets, your family’s income would qualify you for a either a very low family contribution or none at all at schools like Harvard, Yale, Stanford and Princeton. See:
[Harvard</a> College Admissions Office: Prospective Students](<a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/financial_aid/hfai/index.html]Harvard”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/financial_aid/hfai/index.html)
[Yale</a> Cuts Costs for Families and Students | Financial Aid | Freshmen | Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.yale.edu/admit/freshmen/financial_aid/index.html]Yale”>http://www.yale.edu/admit/freshmen/financial_aid/index.html)
[How</a> Aid Works : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/how/index.html]How”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/how/index.html)
[Princeton</a> University | Who Qualifies for Aid?](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/admission/financialaid/how_it_works/who_qualifies/]Princeton”>http://www.princeton.edu/admission/financialaid/how_it_works/who_qualifies/)</p>
<p>Sit down and run your family’s numbers through these Yale and Pton’s FA calculators to see the results.
[Yale</a> University Financial Aid > Financial Aid Calculator](<a href=“Welcome | Student Financial and Administrative Services”>Welcome | Student Financial and Administrative Services)
[Princeton</a> University | Princeton Financial Aid Estimator](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/admission/financialaid/estimator/]Princeton”>http://www.princeton.edu/admission/financialaid/estimator/)</p>
<p>My son’s best FA packages were from HYP. Your stats and activities sound like they would put you in the range for any of these schools. You seem like a very good writer who could make her personality come alive in essays. Given who you are, your need to pay your own way through school, and your family’s income, I strongly encourage you to take those SAT subject tests and apply to these. They most likely will be more affordable than the schools you are currently applying to. I’d keep the current schools by all means, but the payoff if you’re admitted to one of the high endowment schools is huge. It just seems penny wise and pound foolish not to try. </p>
<p>So far as the test fee waivers, you could talk with your guidance counselor and see what he or she thinks. Do run through the two FA calculators, though, to see the results if you should be admitted. I think you will find taking the subject tests to be worthwhile.</p>
<p>Regarding # of colleges to apply to: our HS tells the kids to plan to apply to 5-8 schools as do the gifted consultants. I haven’t heard of a limit on rec’s or transcripts though. DD’s list is now down to 9; I’ve told her that I think that will be fine and she shouldn’t worry about cutting any more since she is casting a somewhat wide net for merit aid. And since the school that is currently her #1 pick is also her safety (both academically and financially) I don’t think she needs to sweat it.</p>
<p>The large local college fair is this Sunday; DD’s printing out her labels this afternoon. 8 out of 9 of the colleges she is planning on applying to will have reps there. But get this; I just went to check out the fair website and this is what they have posted:</p>
<p><strong><em>Please Be Advised</em></strong>
The National Association for College Admission Counseling is concerned about the current flu epidemic that is affecting the nation. Our last National College Fair will take place this weekend (May 3) in Nashville, Tennessee. We have contacted the facility to ensure that they have measures in place to protect the health and well being of all in attendance. Please rest assured that all precautions are being taken with your best interest in mind. The most up to date information about Swine Flu can be found on the CDC website.</p>
<p>Wow. There are 2 suspected cases in TN right now, so I wonder if we’ll be seeing closures here soon. SATs are Saturday, AP’s are coming etc. Oy vey.</p>
<p>Lafalum - It’s not so much getting merit aid but getting ENOUGH merit aid. I may be reading too much into rocketlouise’s question, but it sounded like her parents wouldn’t contribute much, so she would need significant aid. Even if you apply to all academic safeties, four schools will not guarantee merit of, say, full-tuition (which would leave ~10k left to pay).</p>
<p>Keilexandra…
how many do you suggest then?
do you really improve your odds with 10 as opposed to 4…
i mean, if they are similar types of schools, aren’t your chances at one very similar to chances at another…???</p>
<p>i’m still trying to learn about the whole application process…our high school def doesn’t do it like CC</p>
<p>10+ was just a number I pulled out my head; you don’t NEED 10 apps, but I believe that you definitely need more than 4. Depends on how much aid you are seeking–if you only need 10k merit, you’re more likely to get that than 30k merit (~full tuition). Similar schools will practice similar admissions, but in merit aid decisions, they can vary widely. One girl got into Harvard but wasn’t even invited to Rochester’s full-tuition scholarship competition.</p>
<p>RobD:</p>
<p>I hear you re: possible closures impacting Saturday SAT and AP’s over the next few weeks. We’re keeping fingers crossed here, since CA borders Mexico and there are lots of visits home to family. I suppose border cities are even more concerned, since some families there cross the border on a daily basis to do their work. According to the CB web site, ALL SAT testing centers in Mexico are TBD until further notice. I feel for those Mexican students who’ve been studying hard. I’ve seen some of them over the past few months on tours of CA campuses.</p>
<p>^^okay…
i thought maybe ten was like a legit number
alot of kids from our high school apply to two or three…some only one!!!
here’s the thiing with my safety though…they have automatic scholarships…though that, i would get 10k/year and if i agree to debate with them(which i will) i will get another 10k/year…tuition is only 22k…so i should be able to cover the rest through work and grants and outside scholarships…</p>
<p>that might help account for the small number…that and i really can’t see myself applying to even 6 or 7 schools…it just seems like too many…i doubt i would give their app my all if it was that many</p>
<p>If your safety is a financial safety and you would be happy there, then you don’t need to apply more broadly. If, however, you’d like to attend a school “better” (a better fit) than your safety, my previous advice stands.</p>
<p>Teenage_cliche, are you at SIA?</p>