<p>Hey all, i’m new here and thought i’d start with this question that’s been the major point to where i go to college. Anyway, i’m in HS, next year is my senior year and i will graduate 2011. I am in mostly all AP classes and even some college/HS concurrent credit classes.</p>
<p>So-</p>
<p>by the time i graduate, i will have 13 credit hours of 300 level math courses at UCCS, almost a math minor, also scored a 4 on my calc BC AP test.</p>
<p>i’m in the top 10% ranking 35/365 in my class and my gpa is 4.1 weighted and 3.54 u/w (though i’ve been told my school only submits weighted)</p>
<p>i took the ACT and i’m expecting a 28-30 on it this time.</p>
<p>The question is, how much or if anything will colleges “want” me? Does all of this math i have under my belt give me an edge for full rides over other applicants? I’m just curious as to whether i need to apply for all of the full rides at the universities i’m interested at or if ill just start getting offers or what not because of how far i’m advanced in math as it is now.</p>
<p>Thanks all,
Fred.</p>
<p>Some schools may “want” you, but most schools won’t care. Your stats are good, but unless you also qualify for need-based aid, they probably are just not outstanding enough for “full rides.” (Be sure to check out some of the old CC threads to find out just what a “full ride” actually means.) However, you certainly might be eligible for some merit scholarships – in addition to any need-based aid you might qualify for – at some lower tier schools.</p>
<p>Obviously, you will have to apply for admission to any of the universities you are interested in; schools are not going to be actively recruiting you. Check with each school to see if they also require separate applications for scholarships because many do. You also need to know that most of the top schools do not offer any merit aid at all; all aid is need-based.</p>
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<p>Part of whether all the extra, college-level math will matter at all depends on what you plan on majoring in. If your intended major is math-intense, then it <em>might</em> be a slight edge over other applicants—but perhaps only compared to those with similar SAT/ACT scores. And your current ACT score seems a bit low for many “full rides.”</p>
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<p>You’ll have to apply for any scholarship (including full ride) that you’re interested in getting. There’s no such thing as a college simply offering a full ride (or even major aid) to a student who has not gone through the appropriate application process for merit/need-based award money at the college.</p>
<p>You probably will receive numerous invitations to <em>apply</em> to schools that indicate you <em>may</em> be qualified for merit aid. Don’t assume getting such an invitation implies that the college expects or wants to give you major money, however.</p>
<p>Does all of this math i have under my belt give me an edge for full rides over other applicants? I’m just curious as to whether i need to apply for all of the full rides at the universities i’m interested at or if ill just start getting offers or what not because of how far i’m advanced in math as it is now.</p>
<p>I don’t think you’ll get a free ride based on your math. </p>
<p>There aren’t many colleges that offer free rides to students who either aren’t NMFs or don’t have super high stats. If you want/need a full-ride or “near full ride” or “free tuition,” then you will likely need to increase your scores to an ACT 32 or above. There might be some 3rd or 4th tier schools that might give you good merit (maybe not a free ride) with lower stats.</p>