So my DN (darling niece) has her applications into a handful of “okay, but do you really want to go there colleges,” and completely out of reach (think Amherst and any private school leaving students in massive debt and no job prospects and no one has heard of it). Nothing in the middle. Her grades are awful. I am recommending 3 to 6 last minute colleges she agreed to apply to 1 or 2 additional colleges that are matches (bribery works well).
She is an african-american kid with a 3.0 UW GPA with 4 APs, 2110 and in-state MD. She does volunteer work, dances and tutors part-time. She likes schools like Syracuse/Wake Forest (sports, Greek life, strong alum). She would like to stay around NY to NC, although likely open to New England (her reach college that is more than likely no is Wellesley).
It’s really a shame about the grades given the SATs… Any recommendations?
Did she go to a difficult school or has some reason grades aren’t up to par. I would have her pick a few super white schools. Does she need aid then? Why debt? I think you are right to throw a few extra ones in the mix, after all you can always turn them down if you don’t need them in the end. Howard would give a full tuition and room I think, but it is first come first serve. Also a few other HCBU. If she likes Wellesley, Mt Holyoke is a bit easier. I don’t think schools no one has ever heard of is a problem. After all, most LAC fall into that. Most employers will know of them, employers that recruit at colleges are aware of the landscape of those.
Award: Full Ride
Requirements: 3.5 GPA, 32 ACT or 1400 SAT (CR+M)
Award: Full Tuition+Room
Requirements: 3.25 GPA, 29 ACT or 1300 SAT (CR+M)
Award: Full Tuition
Requirements: 3.0 GPA, 26 ACT or 1170 SAT (CR+M)
Grants, Scholarships & Fellowships - Howard University
NOTE: First-come, first-served award
What about Univ of Richmond? Elon? Too small. Still it is hard to find a match for a 3.0. What is her percentile rank?
How much will her parents pay per year? Does she have a high EFC?
What is her home state?
What about the Colleges that Change Lives? Your DN sounds like she is smart but has lacked focus. A school that is nurturing rather than hyper competetive might be a good choice.
A school that is a little far afield but that is affordable is Truman State. My neice (Hispanic from Texas) loved her time there.
If she’s open to LACs (and with Amherst it sounds like she is). consider St. Mary’s College of MD, the instate LAC. Pretty campus on the Chesapeake. No Greek life (which is true of most LACs), and the sports are ‘do it’ rather than ‘watch it’ (also true of most LACs). But a student with a 3.0 GPA and a SAT of 2110 sounds like a kid with a lot of potential if she can get the academic fire burning. And a LAC where she can get lots of faculty mentoring and attention might be just the ticket.
A ‘reach’ school might not even be a good idea: some kids just do so much better when they are the ‘big fish’ in a smaller pond - the extra attention really boosts their self-confidence and self-esteem. I’ve seen the reserve happen all too often: A really bright kid with top grades and test scores goes to a school where they are now ‘middle of the pack’ and they suddenly don’t feel special any more - they feel, well, middle of the pack. And they end up not achieving what they might have. You know your niece, so you will have more perspective on what is likely to motivate her.
Another mid-sized option popular in our area to consider: Elon in NC (But I have no idea about the financial aid provided so this may not be realistic financially.)
One school you should definitely consider is UNC Wilmington. Great mid-sized university. Very strong academics all-around. It’s a highly versatile school; they want you to spread your wings but not go TOO crazy. Highly ranked on lists of coastal universities as well as the value of its degree (http://www.twcnews.com/nc/coastal/news/2015/07/8/uncw-recognized-on-national-list-for-best-value.html). Superb location 5 miles from the beach…there’s even a Beach Blast at the beginning of the school year!! Incredibly laid-back campus with very chill students and a beautifully mellow vibe. Plus, they consider lopsided students like your niece ALL THE TIME - I would know. It’s just a bit better than Elon, and has a preferable atmosphere.
Oh, and LOTS of Marylanders, New Jerseyans, New Yorkers, etc as out of staters. The majority of OOSers come from those three states, as well as MA and PA. Your niece would fit right in.
Thank you all so much (lots of food for though particularly with Elon, Richmond, Howard and UNCW). To answer a few questions:
Unfortunately, she's the bottom quarter of her class and started high school in MoCo, MDand now in another comparable school as her MoCo HS (just not as flashy). So, yes, competitive school.
As far as lower grades: mother came out of remission for breast cancer (particularly aggressive for AA women). So, she has an explanation for second half of sophomore year through junior year... However, grades were just as lackluster freshman year. So I don't know how compelling.
Her parents are able to pay full tuition, whether they will or not is another story. I know they are actively pursuing outside scholarship opportunities to help defray the costs, particularly with the private colleges. I think push come to shove everyone is willing to chip in for DN to go to college.
I second Elon and UNC-Wilmington, as well as trying for Agnes Scott and Spelman (if she likes Wellesley). Have her look into SUNY Albany, SUNY New Paltz, West Chester University, Temple, St Mary’s Maryland, Appalachian State.
Lots of good suggestions. Wanted to third Temple-D was very impressed with it and has applied. Many excellent EC’s to keep busy and great merit money.
Many of the HBCU’s, even the top 10, have lower thresholds for acceptance than PWI’s of the same caliber. Spelman is an excellent school, but I’d also look at Hampton and Claflin, if she wants to go a bit farther south (it’s in SC). Both are in the top 10 of the US News HBCU rankings, are on the small side and have strong freshman support, for a student who might struggle a bit to find their niche. Your niece’s SATs would be in the stratosphere at both, but her grades would be fine. She’d still qualify for some merit money. Both are on D’s list. An organization she worked with on a college tour and advising highly recommends both for bright students.
I think with her strong SAT she would get a good look from Bucknell. Big Greek scene there, Div 1 sports and they are trying to increase diversity.
How about Loyola MD? She may get some merit there
Of the Division 1 athletic colleges where she might get admitted but receive meager financial aid, take a look at…
Ohio University (less than 6hr drive from Washington DC)
North Carolina A&T University
U of Tennessee-Knoxville
U of Dayton, OH
Marist College, NY
Among LACs to consider I would include…
Belmont Abbey College, NC
Wesleyan College, GA
Ohio Wesleyan University
Look at Allegheny College in western Pennsylvania. 200 years old, has been coed since 1870, and has an active greek life even though it is a relatively small LAC (2100). They have a lot of emphasis on helping the freshmen in particular gain the speaking and writing skills they will need to succeed, so that will help her make up anything she lacks academically so she can better meet her obvious potential. It has a great alumni network.
And yes, definitely look at Agnes Scott and at Spelman if women’s colleges interest her. But do not rule out Mount Holyoke or Smith, two other seven sisters colleges. Both are wonderful schools, well endowed and with an amazing alumnae network. MHC and Smith are in the “five college consortium” so the young women often will participate in the social as well as academic life at Amherst, UMass, and Hampshire. Both are rigorous, but MHC is a bit less competitive these days than Smith or Wellesley or Bryn Mawr and they might jump at those high SAT scores because those show great promise.
