semi-tryhard white guy applying to some very good schools, some decent ones (admission/aid chances?)

[chmcnm]

@collegemom3717

So your budget is c~$30K/year for tuition, room and board: $25 from your parents & $5-7 that you can borrow. You can probably earn another $3-5K over the summer after senior year to cover first year spending money, but be aware that If you are going a polisci direction you will want to get summer internships, and they are typically badly paid or stipended.

So, CC: where should a go-getter, highflier student with a 4.0UW / 34 ACT / 1520 SAT / likely NMF look for a non-southern, preferably urban college that will come in under $35K/year?!

And is better than your in-state options (South Carolina)?

NMF is the wildcard. That could open doors. I’m not sure which schools offer significant merit to winners any more. USC (Cali) and Fordham used to but not sure any more. I’m sure Google would work.

Maybe Arizona or Alabama schools? Kentucky? Temple. You might qualify for in-state tuition at Florida State.

Loyola of Chicago? Made my son’s short list. Nice campus plus Chicago. The Jesuits are the liberal Catholics.