What schools are within my reach?

College Search & Lists
1

hello!

I don’t have much guidance 1) my counselors wants me to join the air force because he did that and 2) my parents are making me shoot for ivy (they have no idea how hard it is and how average I am compared to ivy applicants) so I really need help narrowing my focus and getting my head out of the clouds!

My parents are willing to help me pay but ONLY if I get into a really good school where it would be “worth it.” I would like a school that offers financial aid/merit scholarship programs or anything like that. My parents have about $20,000 saved up for me, but would help me pay monthly if I needed it, and hopefully I will get some scholarships too. My problem with price is I don’t know how much is too much, like is $40,000 too much or what? Or is $20,000 too much for me? Me and my parents don’t know really how that works.

Stats:
I am asian
Class Rank: 1/450
SAT: 2130 (720M/690CR/720W) I know, I know, I took this on a whim and hopefully I can break 2200 my second go around after some studying
SAT II: N/A
GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.8 weighted (it’s capped at 4.8 at my school)
APs: Lang (5), US History (5), Macro (5), Micro (5), Physics (did not take test), World History (4) - senior year: taking AP Calc AB, Gov, Psych, Bio, and Lit
Possibly Relevant (non-AP) Coursework: PLTW Engineering Program at my school

Extracurriculars:

  • Founded/President of a Fine Arts Club (3 years) that focuses on fundraising for art programs in local middle schools, advocating for the arts in school (big part of my life)
  • Key Club (4 years) Vice President, District Graphics Department, Regional Technologies Editor, Leadership Team - Distinguished Award for work at a regional level (?) Mentored different school clubs that reached Distinguished status (Key Club is a big part of my life too haha)
  • Senior Editor for Yearbook and publications (1 year) (My work allowed me to skip to senior editor)
  • Historian for Choreography Club (4 years)
  • Film Makers club (4 years)
  • Painted a mural for my middle school, hopefully I will be doing a mural for my high school too later this year
  • Worked at a medical office for 2 years
  • LOTS of volunteering through Key Club, my local elementary school, and at the library during the summer
  • A community outreach internship for a website this fall (this is not set in stone so idk)
  • I like to make themes for blogs, taught myself html and stuff and my themes have thousands of downloads idk if that is interesting for an EC

Awards:
nothing too big :confused:

  • AIA Design Finalist (not a big thing, local architectural competition)
  • Distinguished regional awards for Key Club
  • AP Scholar
  • National Merit Commended Scholar
  • A few video/art scholarship contests nothing too crazy

I do want to get into a selective school. Somewhere close to a city, and something campus orientated with a lot of clubs and diversity. I want a school with very smart and unique people that can inspire me and help me grow. I’d also like a school with maybe an internship placement program or something like that. I have no idea what I want to major in, I was thinking biomedical engineering but nothing on my application relates to that so I’m not sure anymore… I obviously have an interest in art but only as a hobby and it is very important to me to graduate with a degree that will help me make a lot of money to support my family.

Not as important to me: A study abroad program.

I know my safety school through: UNR (I would definitely get in, its beautiful, has a lot of what I’m looking for, and I would basically be going for free because I’m in-state and because of merit scholarships) My only problem with it is I feel like I’ve worked very hard throughout high school and I want to get into a more selective and prestigious school if I can.

I have started to look into some schools but as of now its so overwhelming and I’m basically going off name recognition which isn’t a great way to look. Help me please!

2

If you have no idea what to major in, I’d recommend LACs. Private LACs are also pretty generous with financial aid if you get in. One of the most well known are Williams, Swarthmore, Five Colleges (in MA), Claremont Colleges, etc ( I personally love collegiates. So many choices in there).

If you like biomedical engineering, University of Washington is not bad. Its near Seattle which is an awesome city (I’m from the area so totally biased). The tuition isn’t too high especially regarding the quality of education. It might not be as selective as you want, but its a good start. Northwestern and Johns Hopkins also has good programs if you’re into research. Theyre pretty selective but with your stats I’d say you have good shot.

Happy searching!

3

Where do you live?

4

The OP lives in Nevada since UNR is in-state.

A little contrary to what @hiimjoe posted (OK a lot contrary) UW is a very good school but offers very little aid for OOS students so that would cost in the area of $45K/year. https://admit.washington.edu/Paying/Cost#freshmen-transfer Some LACs do offer good financial aid, but if your family CAN afford to pay for an expensive school (but just choose not to) then you won’t get much FA - it’s based on need. You would be a lock for some full tuition scholarships on this site: http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/ I think Alabama would be one (or close to full tuition based on your stats).

5

@BatesParents2019 I live in Nevada! In Las Vegas, to be specific.

6

@“Erin’s Dad” Thank you that’s an awesome resource! I will look into it :slight_smile:

7

The University of Washington awards a merit scholarship to OOS U.S. students called the “Purple and Gold Scholarship.” All OOS U.S. students are automatically considered for the scholarship, and you would be a likely recipient based on your stats. According to the UW website, “For autumn 2015, scholarship amounts range from $3,000 to $7,500 per year ($12,000 to $30,000 over four years) and were awarded to about one half of U.S. students who are not residents of Washington State.” The range of awards seems to fluctuate year by year. In 2014, I believe the high end was $9,000 per year. I do not know what the range will be in 2016. If you apply to UW, I recommend that you apply to the Honors Program as well (http://depts.washington.edu/uwhonors/apply/freshman/faq/). Good luck!

8

Take a look at University of Washington St. Louis, which has competitive full ride scholarships you can apply for, including several specifically for those majoring in the sciences. You might be a strong candidate.

Other elites/semi-elite schools that are known for merit aid: USC, Mizzou, BU, Tulane, University of Miami… there are more but those are off the top of my head. All of the merit aid at these schools is pretty competitive/can be a crapshoot (ie: one person might get a full tuition offer from them, another half, another nothing), but all would at least be worth a shot. You might also qualify for the Gates Millennium scholars program, which if you are selected as a finalist, basically pays the difference for whatever school you get into. Worth checking out. You should also apply for the Coca Cola Foundation scholarship as it is heavily service oriented, and you have a lot of volunteer work on your resume. It’s a one-time 20K grant award.

And I would suggest University of Alabama as an alternate safety for you, since you’d qualify for their automatic tuition scholarship. Would give you an alternative to UNR to have up your sleeve. And don’t sell yourself short, re: Ivies. I would pick 1-2 that you feel are a personality fit and give it a go (your interests shout Brown or Harvard to me). While your intended major doesn’t really match your resume, as a humanities-heavy resume, I find it pretty impressive. You have some interesting, niche interests that would make for some great essays, IMO. (also I think designing themes that have thousands of downloads is relevant! That’s very cool!)

9

@proudterrier hey I just wanted to update you. I took your advice and applied to Brown, and I got in! I also got into Duke, Notre Dame, and Stanford. I will be attending Stanford this fall :slight_smile: thank you so much for the help!

10

OMG! Congratulations! What was your final SAT score?

11

Hey, I recognize you from reddit! Congratulations on your acceptances! The one essay you shared was amazing and your stats are great, so it isn’t surprising. Lol, I hope I can have an admissions season half as good as yours.

12

Congratulations! Glad that things worked out for you.

13

It was not too great haha! 2160 (720/720/720) I basically scored the same as the first time I took it. Thank you! @HiToWaMom

14

Oh my gosh that’s so crazy! I don’t think I was anything special but I’m thankful someone saw something in me :’) good luck on your applications, I believe you! If you ever feel doubtful or down, just remember that we’ve all been there and you’ll survive. The next few months for you will be absolutely hell (full of self doubt, insecurities, and anxiety, if I recall) but it gets better, haha. @HowBoutCollege

15

@tylerss Congrats! And I think I know you from reddit! I use a completely different handle over there, though much of the advice is the same :slight_smile: If you’re the poster I’m thinking of, I remember your post when you got into Stanford!