<p>Thanks for the somewhat helpful advice! @BrownParent</p>
<p>Lovin’ you, @BrownParent. </p>
<p>OP, some of us have been through the college questions many times, in many ways. Some of us deal with hopefuls regularly, including in real life. We nearly always tell them, honestly, that what one “wants” is not the magic key. Nor is one’s own satisfaction with their records. </p>
<p>The competition for these top colleges is freaking fierce. Imagine 30-40,000 applicants, vying for 2000 slots, about half of whom had 4.0 or near enough, unweighted. That includes URMs and poor white kids at lousy high schools. As the list is culled, these kids have rigor in their hs courses, community impact, pre-major experiences, sometimes jobs, and much more. The best researched the colleges, know what they offer, can express their match in terms that meet adcoms’ needs. These kids are already empowered, have taken on some solid challenges and shown leadership in their thinking, choices and follow-through. Not just joined more or gotten some title.</p>
<p>It is your choice to repeat posts, yes. And it is your right to dream. But it’s not going to get you the quality of support and advice you need.</p>
<p>Anyone else getting deja vu? </p>
<p>@testfayeb: ^^ Please listen to the above advice, as lookingforward works in a well known Admissions Office, possibly in one of the schools on your list.</p>
<p>@testfayeb - I would also add, mostly for emphasis, that you are way premature in asking this question. I mean sure, in one sense there is no harm in asking (although the question as asked is meaningless, more on that in a sec). But keep your focus on everything but this, to be honest. Let’s just say, for the sake of argument, you actually get into all three of these schools. Hypothetical Congrats! Now you have a full month or so to come onto CC and ask really specific questions about each, research them on the internet and view other opinions, videos, etc., look at their faculties, class and other academic offerings that are in your area of interest, so on and so forth. And that would all be with a whole new outlook from you because it now has a basis in reality, which will fire up some critical decision making neurons that just don’t happen when it is only a wish.</p>
<p>Which then leads to why the question is meaningless as asked, because three different people doing that same research for these three schools might each pick a different one, and of course each would be picking the “best” school. Personally, I wish you would take a broader outlook about schools than prestige. I know you are applying to a lot of other schools that are not so prestigious (using that term as a substitute for exceedingly selective), but it really doesn’t sound like you are giving them serious consideration, but instead would consider any of them as disappointing outcomes you would have to settle for if you don’t get into an HYP. That would be a shame, because as everyone here is trying to tell you, there are incredibly great schools with amazing experiences to be had that are well within your reach. I hope you will really give that some thought.</p>
<p>BTW people, is it really that annoying that she keeps posting her chance thread on a thread she started anyway? So you just skip over it, big deal. I know there is a statement in the terms of service about not doing repetitive posts, but these are not standalone posts only saying “look at me chance thread”, but are instead just tagged on to a post she was making as a response anyway. There are more important things to worry about.</p>
<p>@lookingforward thanks for the advice and comment! </p>
<p>@gibby okay thank you I will.</p>
<p>@fallenchemist that is very true. I am trying my best to pick the right schools for me. I do not have my test scores yet and I feel like people are judging me just because of my low SAT II scores. I said I would retake them in the fall, so I am just going to try my best to raise my scores. I am being a little annoying but I just want to get as much advice as I can get. I am being realistic like I have considered applying to VCU and Ohio State etc. so I might not sound as enthusiastic about applying to those schools but I am 
</p>
<p>As a contingency plan to QB, be aware that for financial aid, states tend to take care of their own. OOS colleges are not generally generous with need based aid to out of state students. Large state universities like Ohio State also tend to put weight on test scores. OOS tution is also much higher, and any need based aid might not go far with them. </p>
<p>Your public state schools are likely to be some of your most affordable options. This in area where you can do your research. Look at all your options and read the scholarship sections. Some colleges award scholarships to residents of certain counties and students with financial need.</p>
<p>Look at all of them- really. VCU is one of them, and I don’t know about their financial aid. I did a quick search and came across one I didn’t know about. UVA at Wise. It’s probably not a popular location, and most of the programs are new, but looking at the financial aid section, it looks like there are financial aid funds from the state of Virginia and Federal funds that might make this a good option. It might also be academically promising as programs are being developed. Make the financial information part of your research. </p>
<p>Please note that I am not underestimating you. Reach for the stars and I hope you land there. Those stars though are pretty selective. Put a large cushion under you. </p>
<p>You want a great education and for the most part, what you put into it will mean the most no matter where you go. By May of your senior year, you will have all your acceptances and financial packages to look at. You can spread them out on a table at home and compare them, come back here and ask questions and search the archives. I’m not suggesting you give up your dream schools as they all are very good with financial need, but keep in mind when you choose other schools that no “safety” is really one if the cost is out of reach. </p>
<p>@Pennylane2011 yeah I completely agree with you! I will make sure to do my research this summer. </p>
<p>@tesfayeB -
That’s very good to hear. I think you have the right idea to have a laser like focus on doing as well as you possibly can on your standardized tests. If you can pull off a couple of good performances there, the outlook changes quite a lot. As many have said, these discussions on CC and all the advice become a lot more meaningful once you have that information. Until then it really is just so much “fluff”, although not useless fluff.</p>
<p>Yes this is very true! I will make sure to study hard for those standardized tests 
I also will make sure not to stress over my grades and tests. I just want to show people that I am trying although I might not have the highest GPA. @fallenchemist</p>
<p>@tesfayeB - The main thing is you will have numerous excellent possibilities, I have no doubt. When your resume starts to “gel”, you can only do the best you can with what it is. Stressing would be completely useless and counterproductive, which you seem to have already grasped nicely.</p>
<p>I posted this on your chance thread as well.</p>
<p>Please read about the Academic Index: <a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/academic_index.htm”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/academic_index.htm</a>
About one half of your Academic Index (AI) score at an ivy league school will come from your SAT (or ACT) and Subject Test Scores.</p>
<p>Currently your 450ish SAT Subject Test scores in US history, Math 1, and Spanish, is your achilles heel. Input your SAT Subject tests of 450 into the AI with a projected 650 on each section of the SAT, select the top 10% decile and your AI is 177.</p>
<p>Now read this article: <a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/before-athletic-recruiting-in-the-ivy-league-some-math.html”>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/sports/before-athletic-recruiting-in-the-ivy-league-some-math.html</a>
</p>
<p>If a recruited athlete cannot be admitted with a score below 176, they also cannot accept a URM with below 176. Just running the numbers – and holistic colleges do more than that – you’re currently projected to be on the very outside edge of admissibility at an Ivy League school.</p>
<p>
Admission to selective colleges have many subjective factors, but an Academic Index at the low end of the scale tells an Admission Director that you might struggle with the work load on their campus. Colleges never want to set a student up for failure by admitting someone who is on the edge. Therefore, if you truly want to be admitted to an ivy league school, you must do more than “make sure” you study. May I suggest that you stay off of College Confidential for the next 3 months and spend the time cracking those books. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>@gibby thank you for telling me the harsh truth.</p>
<p>Some of your chances at UVa depend on where you live in VA. The competition from the top hs in Northern VA makes it difficult to predict anything for Charlottesville, for anyone- especially for NVa kids. My godsons got shut out with super grades and high scores. But VA is one state very intent on serving its population as best it can. It would be smart to look at Wise. </p>
<p>Also look at the VA Guaranteed Transfer program, a little gem. In-state kids with two years with a minimum gpa at a variety of VA feeder colleges and you can transfer to UVA. (But you have to look this up, learn the conditions.)</p>
<p>And, I think someone said, you have to run the Net Price Calculators for colleges.</p>
<p>@lookingforward okay thanks for your help! I live in Northern VA so the competition is very high.</p>
<p>My nieces, who live in Northern Virginia, attended William & Mary. W&M does not require SAT Subject Tests.</p>
<p>Yes I am applying there! They sent me a email to apply and contact me about visiting @gibby</p>
<p>So, one of my godsons is at W&M. Watch out for financial aid. And this is a good example of Gibby’s prior comments (this thread or the other) about looking at the stats of kids who successfully applied and matriculated:
For the SAT, our middle 50% is 1270-1460 on critical reading and math; 25% of our latest freshman class scored above 1450 and 25% scored below 1260.</p>
<p>What we often cover on CC is that that bottom quartile can be unique cases- a faculty kid, a special legacy, athletes, maybe an adult with considerable experience just starting college- the list is long and usually particular.</p>
<p>@lookingforward are you apart of the admissions team at W&M?</p>