Please help me weigh my chances

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Although getting into some of these schools will be a big reach, I am also greatly concerned with receiving enough financial aid to be able to attend. The schools I have in mind are:

-Baylor University (top choice)
-Rice University
-Vanderbilt University
-Texas A & M
-University of Texas Austin or San Antonio
-Southern Methodist University
-University of Chicago
-Case Western

Background: [I plan to major in biological sciences and am thinking about going pre-med. I am currently a senior at an academically competitive school in Texas.]

About Me:
-Family Income: less than $20,000 (primarily raised by single mother, divorced)
-Female, Asian (Vietnamese)

Academics:
GPA: 4.22 (weighted)
Class Rank: N/A (estimate: I’m in the top 10% of my class)

SAT: 1370 (I hope to raise my score to 1400+)

I’ve never gotten below an A in any of my classes throughout high school, and by the end of senior year, I will have taken 8 honors and/or AP classes in all.

AP Exam Scores:
AP English Language and Composition > 4
AP Biology > 4

Senior Courses: AP English Literature, AP Government & Economics, AP Physics

Activities:
-Volunteer work with charity organizations > food banks, churches, homeless shelters, schools (9-12)–mostly serving/distributing food
-Member of National Art Honors Society (10-12)
-Member of Pre-Med Club (9)
-Member of Concert for Uganda Committee (10-12) [used to raise funds for underprivileged students]
-Member of National Honor Society (11-12)
-Vice President of National Honor Society (12)
-Vice President of Class (12)
-Summer Internship with Pediatrician (12)
-Graphic Designs for Class T-Shirts and Posters/T-Shirts for Fundraising School Events (9-12)
-Additional merit awards (maybe numbering to about 15 in total) for high academic achievement in numerous courses (9-12)
-Attended TAPPS (11)–academic event

Letters of Recommendation:
Pre-Calc Teacher
AP Biology Teacher

As of now, I’m worried that I’m not going to be able to go to a college of my choice (specifically Baylor) due to financial reasons. I also realize my stats, particularly my SAT scores, are not competitive enough for some of the schools I’ve listed. Any advice/suggestions/comments are appreciated.

2

You will definitely get into Baylor and get some Merit scholarship, but it may not have as good a need-based financial aid package there as some others on your list (which will probably be virtually free if you get in). Remember however that your father’s income will still matter for financial aid calculation even though you don’t live with him, and it doesn’t look like you have listed it here, so take that into account be realistic. Be proactive and get good data about your parents’ income and assets, and you can go online to most schools and find out virtually exactly what they will offer you in need-based aid. Knowing that will clarify your choices and reduce a lot of stress in the coming months.

Since Baylor is your first choice, you can definitely help yourself by raising your SAT/ACT score. Their merit is very transparently tied to these scores, and you can actually re-take the tests and submit your best scores right up until June of 2018 to get the best deal. I would also suggest that you apply to Invitation to Excellence for the fall and follow up with the admissions department if you don’t get invited to it. This will open up additional merit-based scholarships to you.