i have a 3.356 uw gpa, 3.605 w gpa → i had a dip sophomore year from family stuff
i retook the sat in december and my score prediction is a high 1400 or low 1500 (currently 1410)
im looking for potential reaches
schools that ive applied so far (in-state pa)
fordham (deferred)
psu (accepted but 2+2)
upitt (accepted)
those were really last minute applications (shortening a previous essay, slight typos, etc.)
im currently working on improving my essay
main ecs:
community org intern
business camp
senator intern
rec basketball ref (same community org)
ylp program
cs club
ecs that i could add for school im applying for rd:
retail job
social media manager for non-profit
Pennsylvania state universities are among the most expensive in the country for in state residents. So, the first thing I’d recommend is to look for lower up front costs.
New York offers some of the lowest costs for out of state students at their state universities. The best Finance major in the SUNY system is at Geneseo, a top public liberal arts college. The out of state cost of tuition, room, and board + fees at Geneseo is $34,500, which is cheaper than the in state cost at either Penn State or Pitt. BUT Geneseo has a scholarship program only for out of state students, which provides up to $8000, based on your gpa, ECs, and other factors. No way to know exactly what you would get from this program, but if we ballpark your award at $5000, your cost at SUNY Geneseo would be under $30,000 even before there was any consideration for financial aid based on family income. This is an excellent program and one heck of a deal financially.
I’m not really one to make suggestions but when I was back in high school, students with your stats would talk about applying to Indiana University. Don’t really know much about them other than they have a good business school. I did some poking around for you, and it looks like the deadline to be directly admitted to business/finance has passed, but you can still get in to the business school after taking the intro business classes when you enroll. Also, since you are out of state, it might be quite expensive.
Some schools will give you need based financial aid (based on income.) Some schools will give you merit aid.
It looks like Pitt is $43K or so for in-state residents, are you admitted to Dietrich, or the business school? That COA could be difficult for a family with under $100K income to pay each year. Which PSU campus are you admitted to for the 2+2 program? Work with your parents to see how much they can pay each year, you don’t have to share that here. Run the net price calculator at all the schools on your list to get cost estimates.
SUNY Geneseo is a good idea, IU won’t be affordable…it’s over $60k for OOS students and won’t give you any financial aid. Even though NYC is expensive, you could consider CUNY Baruch, especially if you have any interest in living in NYC during or after college.
Did you get get into Pitt’s business school or Dietrich? If you got into the business school that’s a fantastic opportunity. Especially with your GPA. Small, direct admit and well-regarded.
If it’s affordable that would be your best option. If not, you could go the community college route and transfer. Look at CCAC transfer requirements. You could also look at PASSHE schools.
What are you looking for in a school? Urban? Large? Small?
The thing with schools that meet full need is that they generally have low admission rates, and I don’t think your GPA is going to be competitive at those schools. Then layering in that you need financial aid, it’s even tougher, at least at the schools that meet full need and are need aware.
Lehigh is a school where you could put in an app, but it’s a reach. Other potential ones you could try: Case Western, Franklin and Marshall. Again, both reaches but could be worth an app. You have to demonstrate interest at all these schools. If you want to apply to them, add them to your common app today, sign up for their mailing lists, and do virtual admissions sessions. Good luck.
Economics is not Finance but if you’re flexible you could try Lafayette or Holy Cross. Their acceptance rates are a little higher. Pair it with math and a good internship it could work. Whatever you do, avoid loans if you can. Good luck.
I feel like I’m always pushing the Jesuits but many have excellent business schools and good merit aid. A few to consider would be Creighton, Gonzaga, Loyola Chicago, Fairfield, Seattle University, Marquette.
I don’t really know, but in op’s last post they specifically asked only for reaches that meet full need. OP doesn’t have to share financial info, but all we know is income is less than $100K and Pitt at full COA will be tough even at $100K income.
Below are some schools that I considered for you or have been mentioned. They don’t necessarily say they meet full need, but I pulled the net prices on College Navigator for families earning between $75-110k. Thus, there are schools that say they meet full need that are more expensive than schools that don’t say that. I would not base your decision on whether they say they meet full need but rather on what it will actually end up costing your family.
Wake Forest: $19,759
Northeastern: $20,109
U. of Miami (FL): $26,355
Franklin and Marshall: $28,353
Illinois Wesleyan: $28,757
Lake Forest: $28,799
Lehigh: $30,179
Syracuse: $31,776
Pitt: $31,931
Case Western: $33,489
Providence: $33,480
George Washington: $33,540
Villanova: $34,285
Bentley: $35,581
Fairfield: $39,355
Fordham: $41,753
Lake Forest is one I think you have a pretty decent chance of acceptance into, and I’ve heard good things about the finance program there. I also learned that Illinois Wesleyan has finance students manage $3M of its endowment which it uses to help fund student scholarships (source). Both of those look as though they might come in as less than Pitt for you, though there is travel cost to take into account. Providence is a school that has been mentioned as punching above its weight in the finance world, too. If, after investigating those schools, they are of interest I think they could be worthwhile applications.
Exactly…so OP needs to run the NPCs with their parents. OP should note that these numbers are averages, and for many of these schools the aid package is merit only or a combo of need and merit…meaning OP’s GPA will be a factor there. Lake Forest and Ill Wesleyan are great suggestions, and the most likely admits on this list. All OP can do is run the NPC, put in an app, and see if the school is affordable, assuming acceptance.