Hello. I am a rising senior, and I am in need of guidance since my guidance counselor doesn’t know much about cases such as mine.
I guess I should start with my testing.
SAT- 2230 (M 760, CR 680, W 790)
SAT II- Math II 790, US History 760, taking Physics in Oct
AP- US History 4, AP Calc AB 5
PSAT 219
Senior classes
AP English Lit
AP Spanish
AP Statistics
AP US Government
AP Physics
String Orchestra
Extracurricular Highlights
Student Council President
Reading Olympics Team Founder/Captain
Girl Up! Chapter Founder/President
Varsity Sports- Tennis, Bowling, Track
District Orchestra, County Orchestra, Church Orchestra, School Orchestra (1st chair violin), Mucial Pit Orchestra
Second Place Singing Competition
Student Government Steering Committee
Widener High School Leadership Award Winner
HOBY Alum
Awana Club Leader
Special Olympics Coach
NHS Member
Governor’s School for Engineering and Technology 2015
Kyrgyzstan Humanitarian Mission Trip 2 weeks I’m 2014
Habitats for Humanity Week in 2013
Korean Traditional Dance
Youth Group Student Leader
Other Clubs and such that I am in…
I am an Asian who wants to major in Civil Engineering (I know it’s a little stereotypical) and International Relations.
Class Rank: 6/244
GPA weighted out of 100: 100.6
I think that’s all? I’m not sure if QuestBridge is a household name here, but all of my reach schools will be done through this program.
I’m in need of safety schools that I could afford since my parents make $22,000 a year. Thanks.
The first place to start is your in-state state colleges.
And what do you mean “cases like mine”? Do you mean that you have low SES and most of your classmates have much more money? That actually could be an advantage for you, as many middle class students get cut out of financial aid and parents’ debts make it impossible for them to attend the college of their choice.
Start with Erin’s Dad’s link. Yes, those are places that flat-out guarantee admission and specific aid packages. Some are true full rides. Pay close attention to the application dates. Good thing that you are applying through Questbridge. That means you will have all your essays and whatnot organized early on. Most on the automatic full tuition list are rolling admission so you should be able to have at least one acceptance with merit package very quickly.
For more places that are reasonably safe and probably affordable, check through the rest of the threads linked here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html#latest
Cross-check the full tuition and probable big scholarship lists with the list of ABET accredited Civil Engineering programs and you will be good to go. http://main.abet.org/aps/Accreditedprogramsearch.aspx
Good luck with everything!
The student is this article was not in the exact same situation as you, but it highlights making smart financial choices for your education. I’m sure you will have lots of opportunity wherever you end up! 
http://www.theroot.com/articles/news/2015/05/college_bound_student_turns_down_all_8_ivy_league_schools_for_univ_of_alabama.html
Good luck, and aloha!
what state are you in? check to see if your score is at or above National Merit Finalist cut off score for you state.
If it is, you can get automatic full tuition scholarships at many U’s listed on the yola link.
And if your PSAT score qualifies you -then be SURE your guidance counselor gives you the National Merit packet in Sept. You need to write an essay and SHE needs to fill out some forms and recommendation letter and send them in .
you should also check out the Posse foundation- and asked to be nominated if there is Posse chapter in your area.
https://www.possefoundation.org/
"Every year, Posse works closely with its network of high schools and community-based organizations to recruit Posse Scholars. Each Posse Scholar wins a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to attend one of Posse’s partner colleges or universities.
Requirements
To be eligible, a high school senior MUST:
Be nominated by their high school or a community-based organization.
Be in the first term of their senior year in high school. Depending on the Posse city, nominations are often taken between the spring and early August before the new school year begins.
Demonstrate leadership within their high school, community or family.
Demonstrate academic potential.
The Posse Scholarship is neither a minority nor a need-based scholarship and is open to students of all backgrounds. "
If you make National Merit, see http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/ .
Otherwise (or in addition), see http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/ . Note: your unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale is most commonly used.
Look also at your in-state public universities, as they may have sufficient need-based aid or merit scholarships for in-state students.
In addition to your Questbridge reach schools, look also at competitive scholarships for non-safety schools. For example, Rutgers’ top scholarship is approximately a full ride for NJ residents (but only approximately full tuition for non-NJ residents). More at http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1461983-competitive-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html .
Wow. Awesome link!!! Thank you.
I’m in PA. I am over the cut-off from last year with a 219. THANK YOU FOR THE POSSE RECOMMENDATION!!
You are most welcome!!
Since you are over last years PSAT # there will be MANY colleges where you can get full tuition scholarships!
So keep this website
http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/ .
bookmarked on your computer!
And good luck with Posse!!
Just a holistic piece of advice, in case it helps! You’ll definitely want to illustrate in your essay, subtly and effectively, that you come from a low income situation/background. I found this piece from the NYT super helpful, re: seeing how other students did it: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/05/20/your-money/college-essays-on-money.html?_r=1.
In terms of outside scholarships, are you looking at the Coca Cola Foundation scholarship or the Gates Millennium? I think you’d be a strong candidate for both.
@proudterrier Thank you for the article!
And yes, absolutely yes I am applying to both the Coca Cola and Gates scholarships. Would you happen to have any advise for those applications?
Hahah one of those NYT essays is mine. Now I’m helping my brother on his college search.
I highly recommend Temple University. I applied to Temple, and it sounds like a great fit. You’re eligible for their full tuition scholarship, which includes two $4,000 stipends for studying abroad or research.