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@unior
46 answers, 137 votes
 • 3 years ago •
Admissions Advice
[edited]

Can you be assured of scholarships before you confirm your admission to a college?
Answered

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cheapcollege
finance
financialaid
full-ride
money
Scholarship
0
7
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2 answers

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Accepted Answer
@CameronBameron
2,265 answers, 8,646 votes
 • 3 years ago

Honestly, you are truly such a good student and can get 1500+ SAT or 35+ ACT scores to submit, I wouldn't be applying to any of those schools except the Univ. of Richmond. Why? Most of the admits have lower stats than you and you might find yourself in a diversity, inclusion, and equity desert with very few people like you there.

If I were your college consultant I would apply to these schools instead.

HARD REACH SCHOOLS (Up to 6 to 8 of these)

Columbia University in the City of NY

Harvard College in MA

Stanford University in CA

Dartmouth College in NH

Duke University in NC

Princeton in NJ

Yale in CT

MIT in MA

Northwestern in IL

UChicago in IL

REACH SCHOOLS (About 3 or 4 of these)

Amherst College in MA

Wesleyan University in CT

Williams College in MA

Swarthmore College in PA

Pomona College in CA

TARGET/HARD TARGET SCHOOLS (About 3 or 4 of these)

Skidmore College in NY

Colgate University in NY

Davidson College in NC

Vassar College in NY

U of Richmond in VA

Hamilton College in NY

Reed College in OR

Middlebury College in VT

Connecticut College in CT

SAFETY (1 or 2 of these)

Berea College in KY

Whitman College in WA

Trinity College in CT

Each of these schools has a high reputation for teaching excellence and can be a great launching pad for applying to graduate programs if you decide to continue with your education in a specialized area like medicine, business, law, or STEM.

You can find more detailed information on their respective websites and many of them have youtube videos for virtual campus tours and some even have videos for financial aid as well.

Good luck

2
[🎤 AUTHOR]@unior3 years ago

Hello Cameron. This was really helpful. Thank you so much. The reason I'm applying to low score universities is because I'm not sure if my EC are really good and I cannot afford to not get admitted in a college (and I cannot do so without a scholarship). Nevertheless, this answer has been really helpful for me. Thank you!

@CameronBameron3 years ago

If you are an international student, Tops colleges don't expect you to have the same ECs as Americans. I really don't think you need to hedge yourself like that. Plus those schools on your list will never give financial aid as those on my list. While the competition is fierce, just apply to more schools. I hope you don't waste any time with those lower-tier schools.

[🎤 AUTHOR]@unior3 years ago

Wow. I never knew that colleges don't expect same EC as Americans. I come from an economically disadvantaged area and had family obligations too (caretaker of my grandfather for 2 years). I'll try to include all of that. I'll apply to those colleges from your list and not apply to those low tier colleges. Thanks a ton!

@CameronBameron3 years ago

When you write your essays/add'l information section, make sure you explain clearly how inspite of your family obligations and coming from a poor background you continue to excel academically. That is the most important message to convey. Colleges do not expect someone like you to have ECs like team captain of the sailing team, or star lacrosse player, or someone that has an internship at a Stanford University. While you are competing with those people, you will be judged on your own merit.

1
@ShaquilleOatmeal
expert
334 answers, 655 votes
 • 3 years ago

You will know what they are offering for aid after the school has made a decision on if you are accepted or not but before you have to decide if you want to attend the school or not. Essentially it goes 1) school makes a decision (accepted or not) 2) school sends aid package if you were admitted 3) you decide which school to attend by May 1st.

And as @CameronBameron mentioned, the schools on their list will most likely be much more generous with their aid if you are accepted.

1
[🎤 AUTHOR]@unior3 years ago

This explains so much. Thank you!

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