<p>So I need to finalize my college list and my parents want me to apply to about 5 IVY leagues but I am trying to convince them to only apply to two. I think my GPA is too low, and I go to a very competitive magnet school where people are applying to similar schools, and there are minorities with the same/ better numbers as me. I applied to University of Chicago, University of MD College Park(instate) University of Pittsburgh and University of Michigan and Boston College. Therefore I think I have a good set of matches/safeties excluding chicago. The reaches I know I am going to apply to for sure are Williams, Amherst, and Wellesley. Also, I have a 0 EFC so I can only apply to schools that meet full need. I am considering Smith and Wustl. I have heard good things about WUSTL’s financial aid but I don’t know anything about Smith’s. I have looked on their website but they are a little vague in terms of financial aid. Also, I am retaking the SAT in December for hopefully a 2250 plus so maybe that would help my chances.</p>
<p>You should stick with the reaches you have. Maybe consider Barnard instead of Smith. No matter what your SAT score turns out to be, your gpa will be the toughest hurdle to overcome.</p>
<p>You have tons of colleges (and lots of reaches), but I wasn’t sure what you’re looking for: small (Williams?) large (UMich?), public (UMD) or private (WUSTL), east coast or mid? Any particular academic interests that factor into decision? With a 0 EFC, do you have your in-state? You should also include some financial safeties?</p>
<p>A jump from 2100 to 2250 is a big one. A jump would certainly help your chances, but just focus on doing your best.</p>
<p>Also, given your comment here, I want to emphasize that it’s not just the school’s name that is important.
I know that being a minority student is a hook, but that’s not always necessarily enough for these super top schools. Hopefully you also have amazing ECs, recs, and essay too.</p>
<p>ETA: I agree that the gpa may be your biggest hinderance, especially this year.</p>
<p>Yes I live in Maryland so UMD College Park is my ultimate financial safety. And Boston College is not a safety but hopefully if I get in they will give me adequate financial aid. I am interested in political science. I prefer smaller schools but I think that University of Michigan, BC, and MD could fulfill my needs despite their large sizes.</p>
<p>I didn’t apply through Questbridge because I did not see that much of an advantage. It seems as though it is harder to get matched to a school through Questbrige than if you apply to the school regular decision. Also, I do not need the fee waiver advantage that Questbridge provides because my counselor has given me fee waivers. Also, I felt as though my applications would not have been strong if I submitted them Sept 30.</p>
<p>I know that, but Pittsburgh has a few diversity scholarships so I am hoping to clinch one of those. Looking at previous threads I seem to have a shot. Michigan may be harder to get money from but they do have a few scholarships. For example I saw a thread in which a student received a merit scholarship which took need into account in addition to the need based aid Michigan gave her which pretty much covered the gap.</p>
<p>Hopefully the GPA is unweighted. There is a very good thread from last year for kids with your stats that will give you an idea of how their applications and acceptances turned out. There are parents that have a pretty good idea of how valuable the minority status will be with your applications and if it’s a boost or not so hopefully a few will see this post and chime in.</p>
<p>"Then WHY did you apply to UMich and UPitt? They won’t give you the aid you need. "
What?
Yes, they do. Pitt gives a lot of aid. I am pretty high income and had around your profile and Pitt gave me a FULL RIDE ( I am instate though)
Definitely apply to Pitt. It can’t hurt.</p>
<p>Go ahead and apply to the colleges your parents would like you to also, if they are willing to pay for the app fees (or if the app fees are waived). Do not let your gpa keep you from applying to schools. A 3.59 is not that bad and there are a lot of schools out there that prde themselves on the “holistic admissions” thing. Just apply and them don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>WPI offers a full-tuition scholie based on need and urm status- chavez scholie. So does Vandy. (seperate app for Vandy no need for seperate app for WPI).</p>
<p>Colby meets full-need and offers preferential packaging on their aid for urms. As does Amherst, Swat, Emory, Georgie Tech, Wake Forest, St. Louis Uni, Gustavus Aldophus, Fordham, Holy Cross and Northwestern.</p>
<p>As far as the ivies, all meet need with a 0 EFC. You don’t need Questbridge with the fee waivers you already have. If your GC runs out of the SAT authorized fee waivers have her use the NACAC ones, and if you are a Ventures scholar (which you should be) their participating schools will also fee waiver you. </p>
<p>Depending on your ECs, location and urm status their are plenty of more schools you can add to that list.</p>
<p>Kat
mom w/5 kiddos who applied to above schools and got in with FA packages to compare including the ivies</p>