Prospective Madness

Colleges & Universities Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>Hello. I am a HS junior caught in the ‘prospective madness’ oft-seen during spring time college visits, interviews, etc.</p>

<p>Okay. Originally, my plan was to apply to all the little Ivies majoring in entrepreneurship (CMU, NYU, Babson, Bentley, etc.) with a 3.5ish GPA and 2290 SAT (mostly writing and CR points), reasonable EC’s and lots (150+) community service hours, and strong math (AP CALCULUS BC - STRAIGHT A’s), not to mention being a black male from impoverished background. I felt this was the adequate path.</p>

<p>However, I was just notified that my PSAT scores will probably fall within National Achievement Finalist spectrum. I did my hmwk, and sure enough, past individuals with the same PSAT score as mine were named Finalists. If I am chosen as a Finalist, Black colleges will begin throwing LOTS of money(a.k.a. full scholarships) my way, calling my home, cell,etc. and flying me out to luxury events. HBCU’s like to do this, they want to snatch all the students of color before predominately-white schools get them.</p>

<p>The problem is that during my college search, I have never considered financial issues. I figured I would apply to my dream schools first, then worry about finances. I don’t want to attend an HBCU, but $100,000+ ain’t bad(sic)
I’d like to attend CMU-Tepper or some of the other schools if I am accepted, but will they be able to match the HBCU’s?</p>

<p>I hate HBCU’s. I think they are arrogant, sub-par, and diversity-adverse, but if my dream schools will not give me some real money, I may give in. </p>

<p>I’d like to save money for grad school, but the money-throwing contest will probably be very problematic in maintaining a clear mind through all this. Any help would be much appreciated, Thanks.</p>

2

<p>I don’t know if they will match the offers, but if you tell them you’re getting other good offers it will definitely help.</p>

3

<p>CMU usually competes with offers from other PRIVATE schools they consider to be their peers only…a pretty short list of schools.</p>

4

<p>CMU will compete with more than their peers. Here is their listed peers:</p>

<p>California Institute of Technology</p>

<p>Cornell University</p>

<p>Duke University </p>

<p>Emory University </p>

<p>Georgia Institute of Technology</p>

<p>Massachusetts Institute of Technology</p>

<p>Northwestern University </p>

<p>Princeton University </p>

<p>Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute</p>

<p>Rice University</p>

<p>Stanford University</p>

<p>University of Pennsylvania</p>

<p>Washington University in St. Louis</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/ira/peer_institutions.htm[/url]”>http://www.cmu.edu/ira/peer_institutions.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>However, they will compete with other schools not on that list.</p>

5

<p>If they want you, they will offer. Do more research on their merit admittance. It is a very clear statement but you will have to look for the statement.</p>

6

<p>check out these schools:</p>

<p>Amherst
Trinity College, CT
Wesleyan University
Haverford
Carleton</p>

<p>These are among the about 75 schools which meet 100% of your demonstrated which may mean that your EFC may be $0 and your loan reduction to about $4000 for your entire 4 years, if your family is impoverished.<br>
Look at the book: “The Hidden Ivies: Thirty Colleges of Excellence” by Howard Greene & Matthew Greene $15;
ISBN: 0-06-095362-4
<a href=“http://www.harpercollins.com%5B/url%5D”>www.harpercollins.com</a>
These are the true little Ivies with the huge endowments to help you
Additionally, most of these schools will let you use outside scholarships to completely eliminate your self help: loans, work-study and student contribution from self help.</p>

7

<p>More Info for Low Income Students:</p>

<p>Dartmouth</p>

<p><a href=“Home | Dartmouth Admissions”>Home | Dartmouth Admissions;

<p>Brown- Sidney Frank endowed scholarship fund:</p>

<p><a href=“http://financialaid.brown.edu/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=19[/url]”>http://financialaid.brown.edu/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=19&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Columbia - OPUS, HEOP (higher education opportunity program) NOP(national opportunity program)</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/asp/programs/[/url]”>http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/asp/programs/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Cornell- HEOP</p>

<p>Stanford, Williams,Amherst and Princeton which are also part of the questbridge program.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.questbridge.org/[/url]”>http://www.questbridge.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

<p>CMU will compete with schools NOT ON THAT LIST but it is NOT GUARANTEED that you will get full aid or even any (if the school is not deemed worthy).</p>

9

<p>Eh…I don’t know what it’s like for a “black male from impoverished background”, but I seriously got very little money from colleges, and I was a national merit finalist…but you probably know more about HBCUs (I’m a white girl…), and you’re coming from a different situation. What I can say is that CMU very well might match random colleges not on their peer list, as they did for me. </p>

<p>As far as the “apply to the dream schools and worry about $$ later”…I tried that, and I didn’t get as much money as I was expecting…I was a bit dissapointed in the end, so I’d recommend if you think you will get a lot of money from a couple of places to make sure to apply and hope for the best.</p>

10

<p>CMUGal,
May I ask which institution’s offer was matched for you? Thanks!</p>