Heyo! Working on my junior year research project about college application process and its cost, and trying to find out which colleges are the most expensive to apply to. I understand that some schools have expensive application fees. Has anyone compiled a list of these schools or have any idea about where I can find such information?
Hello there! It's amazing that you're looking into the cost perspective of the college application process, because it can certainly add up. While I don't have a numerical ranking of the highest application fees, there are some schools that are famous (or maybe infamous!) for them.
For example, Duke University features one of the highest application fees, at $95. Other universities with higher fees usually range around $85 per application, and these include Dartmouth University and Columbia University. Boston University, Cornell University, and Villanova University also have $80 application fees.
Do note that most colleges offer fee waivers for students who demonstrate financial need. These waivers can generally be requested during the application process and sometimes require supporting documents. For example, if you're eligible for an SAT fee waiver, you may receive up to four college application fee waivers as well.
Remember, the cost of applying to college goes beyond just the application fee—it also includes the costs of sending SAT or ACT scores, AP scores, and potentially hiring college consultants or essay editors.
I hope this helps, and best of luck with your research project.
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