One school I would look into is Southern Illinois - Carbondale. Illinois is a trans-friendly state and Carbondale is a blue bubble (surrounded by red). It has a surprisingly high number of students who go on to earn a doctorate in various academic fields. The tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students, and you should qualify for the University Excellence scholarship ($5500/year) which would make you eligible to compete for their full ride scholarship, the Chancellor’s.
And I think @tamagotchi’s recommendation of U. of New Mexico is a great one for you.
And since UNM was mentioned, I’ll also say that it’s a really good place for looking at language contact, even as an undergrad. I don’t know if that’s an interest of yours, but I mention it because it is for many people coming from multilingual backgrounds (quite reasonably), and so if so, hey.
I was told by a colleague who is a Linguistics professor that one doesn’t necessarily need to major in Linguistics to go to graduate school in this field, as long as you take some foundational courses, languages, have a related major and show potential for research. A linguistics minor or concentration can be sufficient. My younger daughter, also interested in Linguistics, ended up choosing a college that only has a minor/concentration because of other factors. Hopefully this can broaden your options.
This is true, but a student keenly interested in linguistics will still want to go to a school with robust offerings in the area, whether or not there is a major. Personally, I developed an interest in linguistics as a freshman in college (at a LAC), and this was a big reason why I transferred out of the LAC to a larger university… because by first semester sophomore year, I had already taken all the linguistics courses that they had.
English: Honors English g11, will take AP lit and lang (if my school can provide it in time) in g12
Language other than English: Thai and English Native, Japanese at N4 (intermediate level), studied Chinese for a few years but never took a proficiency test (conversational level)
Other academic courses: Psychology in g11 ??v
Awards
Presented as a youth delegate at a UN conference
Extracurriculars
MUN and Journalism leadership teams
Tutor for middle school children, teaching both english, math, and essay writing over multiple summers
Working on research with a professor on Language and code-switching within signs and advertisements and how it’s different depending on the income of an area
Essays/LORs/Other
I will be getting a really strong letter of recommendation by the aforementioned professor who’s somewhat well known in Linguistics (having published multiple papers), I have worked with him for about a year or so
Schools
I was really looking into Rice University I appreciate the need-based aid part and really love how undergrad focused it seems and how close-knit people are, I really want to do research and from my limited googling I think Rice would be an okay choice, comments appreciated!! Is there any other universities that fit me?
Rice is in Texas, which has some anti-trans bills and restrictions against gender affirming care and accommodations for transgenders. I would look very carefully at the state legislation before deciding to apply to school there. A 1340 SAT is unlikely to be competitive for Rice anyways.
There are many schools that provide financial aid to international students. You said “low budget”. Can your family afford anything for college?
Besides generous financial aid, what else are you looking for in a school?
Could you please list all of the courses you have taken and will take in high school.
For college admission purposes and financial aid, you are a U.S. citizen…you are not an international student.
How much can your parents contribute annually for your undergraduate college costs.
University of Massachusetts is located in a state friendly to you…and has one of the best linguistics programs in this country. I do not know if it will meet your family budget (because we don’t know your family budget).
The most merit that UMass Amherst (which is an excellent choice for a trans ling-obsessed student) is likely to offer would be their max OOS merit award, which brings the per year cost down to under 45K. Don’t know if they would meet fin need for this student - they might, considering that his parents are low income (although the school will take into account their assets, too). It absolutely should be on their list, to apply, and early action. Student will have an answer by mid December.
A truly stellar SAT or ACT could bring this student into range for private schools which meet full need. But it’s getting late for that, for early action or early decision applications.
OP, you should see if the ACT is available in your country, and try the free online test. I have heard that for non-native speakers of English, the ACT is easier than the SAT. It is definitely possible to prep for the ACT to improve one’s scores.
Congrats on a fine record. Unfortunately, you need to apply to schools that meet need and your 1340 isn’t going to get you there (unless you have a state of residence).
Did you apply through Questtbridge? That might have been a best bet.
Other than that, here’s a list of colleges that meet need - I don’t know that you can get in to any (some are need aware so may hold needing a full ride against you). Outside scholarships aren’t realistic.
Schools you might look at - given you are trans:
Amherst
Brown
Haverford (Bryn Mawr - if qualify by gender)
Lafayette
Macalester
Occidental (Minor)
Reed
Rochester
I thought of Bates or Holy Cross for ED (big lift) but don’t see either having linguistics.
I feel for you. If you get a 1450, it might enhance your chances at a few. Come back with a next score.
It might be you come back, stay with a relative, go to Junior College, maybe get a part time job and try and establish residency somewhere.
With the family income, it’s going to be tough regardless. Sorry to say that.
One other thought - UNCC has linguistics. I mention them because they offer the Levine scholarship. East Carolina offers the Brinkley Lane - These are full rides. There may be others. If you are ok with - campus will likely be fine but the states may have other laws - these (and there will be more) are competitive full rides but the competition is a lot less. I wouldn’t expect you could get one but far less top kids are likely applying. We just saw someone headed to UMD that opted for East Carolina instead - their list was UMD and James Madison - it wasn’t Harvard and Yale, etc. - so programs like those two and there might be others out may also be something to look at. Honestly, with your income, it’s - who will take me and support me above anything else, if you want a college application. Berea doesn’t have linguistics but would be another to look at for aid purposes.
i did look into this and thought since houston is a blue city it might be alright ill have to look more into it though
low budget being really low under maybe 15k usd per term which is why im defined relying on scholarships and financial aid
id really appreciate the chance to do research as an undergrad its something i find really engaging and a nice path to go fown, a closer community would also be nice like i mentioned in the post!!
i’m still in grade 11 so i would have another year before actually applying to unis, and im working on my SATs. 45k is a bit of a stretch i would need way more help to bring the price down
At most schools, one can research. There is often far more research than kids.
It’s a personal choice but I think too much is made of state laws - unless you need access to things precluded by state laws. Often time, that’s for minors. But you might check each state where you go to decide what you are comfortable with.
But it’s not like there’s not trans kids in red states - there’s thousands enjoying their daily life, with no issues.
So that’s something you have to decide.
Oberlin has a minor in linguistics.
You probably, at a full price school (with auto merit) can’t get below $23 or $25K. Maybe you make up the rest in loans, etc. These are schools like C Michigan (which goes up the last two years) or Alabama (if you get a 1420 - had a 5 on the Campus Pride but the state is hostile). Schools is places that are in the middle of nowhere - like the Dakotas, might be low 20s. W Carolina is low 20s.
But other than cost, it’s who has what you want to study? And for linguistics, it’s less and less - the kind of major being cut/downsized for funding issues..
I just read 11th grade - so I would highly recommend for you that you apply via Questbridge. You might apply for their scholars program this year. But to colleges through Questbridge. It’s designed for students like yourself (low financial qualification).