Stats: 3.97 UW(no weighted gpa)
35 ACT(36M, 35E, 35R, 34S)
Taking 9 AP’s and 6 DE classes
Intend to major in Finance/Business/Econ with a optional minor in earth/climate science or business sustainability if the school offers it
ECs:
Internationally Recognized Typist–not being too specific but I participate in tournaments(recreational and competitive) with wpm of 180+
Freelancer/Entrepreneur as a typist – collected $10,000+ over four years on Fiverr(main issue is that I deleted my Fiverr acc and don’t have my statements so I can’t verify?? worried about this…)
Started an ecommerce business(for fun mostly–> sustainable dropshipping niche), made almost 5k in 2 years–have proof
Deca President–massively increased participation in DECA and we made it to states several times and qualified to ICDC
ITF Taekwondo Third Degree–did taekwondo for ~10 years and tutor 5 hrs per week and train 3 hrs per week at dojang
FBLA Officer
Officer at a prominent climate nonprofit
Youth leader at a religious nonprofit focused on giving back to the community through climate initiatives
Captain of Varsity Debate (went to a good few tournaments per year and qualled for TOC 2x)
STEAM officer → tutored kids at local middle schools on how to make a schoolwide magazine, helped them with research, etc
Assuming my LORS and essays are decent, which schools do I have a shot at? BTW I’m thinking of shotgunning–need advice on this and which schools to possibly shotgun. Also if AO’s have suspicions about freelancing and audit how do I give them proof? Thanks in advance!
Your a competitive typist? This could be a very interesting essay.
Also it doesn’t work like this. You list schools you can afford and like and check the common data sets to make sure you are eligible and we give opinions. Otherwise you will just get random college suggestions. How about we do something more logical. What are your state schools? It’s always a great place and usually the most affordable to start with.
I’m In California(UC’s and CSU’s) and my parents make around 250k a year so I can afford any school. I plan to write some of my supps about typing actually lol
I am not as familiar with the California schools as others that will come on. Did you visit any schools and which did you like?
Your parents income has nothing to do with the question if they can afford the schools you want to go to especially being from California. Did you have a concrete conversation with your parents on how much a year they can afford? Many parents started things like 529 accounts etc to save for college. Knowing this upfront is important. Many schools came be $75,000 per year.
I did particularly like USC, Berkeley, and LA but haven’t visited any OOS schools.
I’m confused: how does income not have anything to do with affording college? if they are making 250K a year for more than a decade they would be able to afford it?
Anyways, I have had a talk about my parents about scholarships, colleges etc. They said they would pay for it but I would later have to pay the money back if possible so money is not too much of a factor–> my sister is currently at Harvey Mudd.
Well, you mentioned USC. That’s $100K/year. That would leave your parents with $150K. Are they paying anything for your sister’s education? Even if that’s only, let’s say, $25K (and obviously could be more), then they are down to $125K. Do they have a mortgage? Car payments? Insurance payments? Other bills? Do they like to eat three times a day?
Obviously, we have no idea about your family’s expenses, but $250K/year in California with two kids in college is not really that much money, and private colleges could easily be a strain on that budget.
But if your parents have already indicated that they can afford it, then great.
I do believe that my parents have previously set aside money specifically for college. My parents are also known for being heavy savers. I’m aware 250k is not too much money but it’s not like we live in the Bay area which is notoriously expensive lol.
In short, I don’t think money will be the biggest factor in considering college apps. It’s more like which college gives the best job opportunities, networking, campus life, etc.
Have you asked them that directly? $250k before tax in a high cost of living state does not necessarily mean they can afford the $100k a year that some schools are now bumping up against.
Edit: seen other responses. Still, make sure they are ok with “anything”.
NYU stern has one of its business concentrations in sustainable business, so that might interest you. Of course it’s highly selective, and one of those approaching $100k a year.
Just talked to parents. They are fine with paying off for college but need repayment later, which I am fine with as business has a high ROI.
My problem with NYU is that I have heard it has poor campus life but it is definitely one of the best business schools out there(higher priority) and I might applying ED I / ED II. Would that be a good idea?
Thank you so much for your input. I would prefer a medium sized to a large student body, any type of environment and weather, and preferably a urban/suburban college town. Having sports and Greek life would definitely be a plus but by no means necessary. Most of all I would like to have a good campus life with lots to do in and out of campus and great networking, internship, and job opportunities.
“High ROI” well… yes eventually, maybe, depending on which path you take.
You shouldn’t ED anywhere unless it’s your top school, and you can’t know that until you’ve visited. Not sure what you mean by “campus life”, NYU doesn’t have a campus separate from the city and no big football etc if that’s what you mean. The student body has a lot of other ways to hang out and have fun. You’d get more of a sense of that if you visit. Internship opportunities are numerous, of course. But the finances could be a deal breaker for you depending on exactly what your parents mean by paying them back. Stern is already $95k this year, you will have dropped over $400k by the end of it if you’re full pay.
If you’re interested in any California public school, and would like thoughts on your chances there, please calculate your UC unweighted, weighted, and weighted capped GPAs: GPA Calculator for the University of California – RogerHub
If jobs and internships were up to the applicant, then why do top schools have significantly better placement at IB, consulting, etc compared to less prominent schools? I thought that to be successful in finance going to a target school is important. Isn’t it significantly harder to land top jobs if you didn’t go to a target(which, in general are very expensive)? I talked with my parents again and after nagging, they will pay full tuition if I go to the UC’s and CSU’s. They even said they would pay full if I went to Stanford because it isn’t too far and I could visit often.
Full tuition at UCs and CSUs as a CA resident is way less than a private. Examples cost of attendance at Cal is $48k this year and at Cal Poly SLO $35k (both living in dorms). If that’s what they mean then that’s the kind of budget you should be aiming for, not the approximately double it will cost at a private.
Even at these schools, few land those jobs - but yes it’s easier.
But it’s still up to the student - and students from other schools land these jobs too. My colleague’s son goes to UTK and is interviewing with BCG.
Bottom line - you cannot afford these schools if you need to pay back mom and dad. Imagine if you owed them several thousand dollars a month.
That’s why knowing your true budget is critical.
But yes, many companies will hire from certain schools more than others. I didn’t know your ultimate career goals - but for example, you might look at something like IBIS at Arizona State - because it’s much more affordable - if you’re able to get in. Also, just because it’s been a hot field doesn’t necessarily mean it will be in 4 years. Look at CS - it was on fire - now, not at all.
First - get with your folks - what are they paying without payback - because you’d be better off working in a grocery store for $15 an hour than having $300K+ in debt.
Budget is always first and foremost - and they’ll pay anything but I have to pay them back - doesn’t fly for you to do anything.
However, starting your career with varying levels of debt up to $400k to your parents can make a significant difference in what career options and life choices are available to you.
Even physicians often struggle with that level of debt from medical school, and they make much higher income than most business majors.