Which schools are forgiving of GPA blip with major life challenge?

[Anonymous]

Kid dealt with all kinds of trauma early in HS. Truly destabilizing. Grades reflected. Retook 1 class, but still has a couple Cs on transcript from that year. Other years are As with an occasional B. Good test scores, ECs, some awards (not national).

What top colleges might be most inclined to look past that year once they read the explanation?

Needs a full ride (fgli), so looking at schools with best need based aid. What are best bets for seeing an amazing student despite an ok GPA?

[Anonymous]

Many schools will focus on the upward trend. UCs and Emory don't look much on freshman year grades. You are fine, just develop a solid list with your kid.

[Anonymous]

In a similar position. Our college counselor suggested SLACs have a more holistic application review process, and any college that makes you input your grades into the common app (vs reviewing the transcript) would probably screen DC out via software/AI because of a sub-optimal 9th-grade GPA, including 1 C.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In a similar position. Our college counselor suggested SLACs have a more holistic application review process, and any college that makes you input your grades into the common app (vs reviewing the transcript) would probably screen DC out via software/AI because of a sub-optimal 9th-grade GPA, including 1 C.

Good to know. This was 10th.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a school with a 70-95% acceptance rate is what you should shoot for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a school with a 70-95% acceptance rate is what you should shoot for.

This…and even better if SAT is high for aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a school with a 70-95% acceptance rate is what you should shoot for.

What school in this bracket will offer a full ride?

[Anonymous]

A full ride is a huge ask even with a stellar GPA. Does the student qualify for a Pell grant, work study, or other need-based aid?

[Anonymous]

Full rides are very hard to get.

A school that meets full need might be a little easier, but that list has a lot of highly rejective schools. Even if they understand the trauma issues, and only look at sophomore grades and up, it's still going to be a lottery.

Look at this list, and pay attention to the acceptance rates. Berea, Rochester, Holy Cross, and Bryn Mawr jump out at me as great schools with more realistic acceptance rates.

https://blog.collegevine.com/schools-that-meet-100-percent-financial-need

I would also look at small schools where her stats will be on the high end, and she may get a lot of merit.

But, having said all that, a state school, or community college to state school might be a really good choice, both in terms of price and because often state schools have large alumni networks.

[Anonymous]

Your kid will not get a full ride anywhere with a GPA like that, OP. If you're truly financially needy, your kid could get help, but a lot of it will be in the form of loans.

Maybe community college then transfer to State U? Or a lower-ranked state college instead of the flagship?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A full ride is a huge ask even with a stellar GPA. Does the student qualify for a Pell grant, work study, or other need-based aid?

Yes, student qualifies for Pell. Single parent, very low income.

I realize full ride is hard to get, and I am specifically asking about highly rejective schools because they have the deep pockets to make that offer (though, if there are others, would love to know more). Really trying to overturn every stone to find a potential full ride for this amazing kid. I know the schools that meet full need. I am just looking for anecdotal or observational insight on any of these schools that might look carefully at this situation and see that that year had to do with circumstances beyond the student's control.

TIA for any insights.

[Anonymous]

Your best bet would be in state tuition and live at home to reduce costs. Pell grant plus loans.

[Anonymous]

Why does it have to be a “top school”?

[Anonymous]

Depending on where you live look into Posse and wherever you are look into Questbridge. If accepted she is more likely to be admitted even if she doesn't match.

Also if student is going into senior year apply to as many fly ins as possible.

Are you apply only to full need, no loan schools or are you willing to consider full need loan schools.

These schools are a mix, maybe look at Grinnell and St. Olaf.

Since there is a large need beware of schools that are meet full need but are need aware.

Have a back-up plan, CC and transfer to state school or re-apply to full need school if student has 4.0 and other achievements in CC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A full ride is a huge ask even with a stellar GPA. Does the student qualify for a Pell grant, work study, or other need-based aid?

Yes, student qualifies for Pell. Single parent, very low income.

I realize full ride is hard to get, and I am specifically asking about highly rejective schools because they have the deep pockets to make that offer (though, if there are others, would love to know more). Really trying to overturn every stone to find a potential full ride for this amazing kid. I know the schools that meet full need. I am just looking for anecdotal or observational insight on any of these schools that might look carefully at this situation and see that that year had to do with circumstances beyond the student's control.

TIA for any insights.

If you work with a College Access Program, you might get an extra look.
CAP's typically work with very low income students and help find schools where they will get a full (or close to) full ride.
I would look at the colleges that use the Coalition App. This application is similar to the common app - BUT the colleges that use it have a commitment to making college more accessible to historically underrepresented students (this includes lower income).

I am sorry I do not have more specifics to help you regarding aid. My DS had a challenge his freshman year in HS (COVID). The only grade he got that year was a "B" for PE. Every other class was a "P". He got accepted to all the schools he applied to - but most were in the 30-75 range.