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

[Anonymous]

If you aren't very low income, community college or another lower ranking school.

[Anonymous]

Full rides are very hard to get.

This. My DH got a full ride at the LAC where our kid is now and they basically don’t do it anymore. Kid did get $25K in merit aid though. Ranked towards the bottom of the top 100 SLACs, so probably not “top” enough for what you’re thinking.

[Anonymous]

Wash U has recently put a lot of focus on increasing the # of Pell students.
I would have your child reach out to admissions. Attend virtual events and ask if they have any fly in programs.
Very few people posting on DCUM are Pell eligible so this is not the best resource. Someone will chime in and say Wash U will never consider that profile.

[Anonymous]

Look into the Jesuit schools (beyond Georgetown and BC). They prioritize making college affordable and accessible, and generally give a holistic review to applications.

Play around with their net price calculators, and reach out to financial aid offices if you have questions. They really are there to help.

I understand your thinking in targeting highly selective/rejective schools, but understand they have a huge applicant population from which to choose. It may help to also look a tier or three down, to schools that would be delighted to receive an application from a student like yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Thanks. Grinnell on the list already. Will check out St. Olaf. Looking at full need w/ loan as well, but assuming those may not offer as much. Def looking at Questbridge. Posse is tuition only, so not sure that will be enough. Def looking at in state options as well.

To another PP, doesn't need to be a top school, though I think this kid could handle any program. Just think those have the best aid, but looking for anywhere that might give great aid. Know about Berea but don't think it will be the right fit. But, welcome other suggestions along those lines too.

Thanks, All.

[Anonymous]

Typically you get more aid at schools where you are on the higher side of their SAT/GPA ranges. You may have a lot more luck with aid at lower tier schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

Two Cs?

No top colleges.

Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wash U has recently put a lot of focus on increasing the # of Pell students.
I would have your child reach out to admissions. Attend virtual events and ask if they have any fly in programs.
Very few people posting on DCUM are Pell eligible so this is not the best resource. Someone will chime in and say Wash U will never consider that profile.

Thanks for this. Yeah, I know posting here was a long shot, and I am making use of other resources for sure. Just hoping for some anecdotal supplement from a lurking counselor or word of mouth. This student has already beat tremendous odds and needs every bit of help they can get. Appreciate your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look into the Jesuit schools (beyond Georgetown and BC). They prioritize making college affordable and accessible, and generally give a holistic review to applications.

Play around with their net price calculators, and reach out to financial aid offices if you have questions. They really are there to help.

I understand your thinking in targeting highly selective/rejective schools, but understand they have a huge applicant population from which to choose. It may help to also look a tier or three down, to schools that would be delighted to receive an application from a student like yours.

Yes, thank you. Looking at various published net figures and will do npc. I have some of the lower tier LACs on the list, but any recs for those known to be generous to Pell eligible?

[Anonymous]

Try posting on College Confidential, you’ll get a lot of advice some good and a long list of colleges to look at. What are the test scores and what do they want to study?

[Anonymous]

Wellesley would be a high reach, but potentially worth the application.

[Anonymous]

Look into Questbridge

https://blog.collegevine.com/which-colleges-award-automatic-scholarships-based-on-sat-scores

https://compedu.stanford.edu/karel-reader/docs/python/en/intro.html

Note that many scholarships are based on weighted GPA, not unweighted

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Two Cs?

No top colleges.

Sorry.

This would only be true if OP was as rich as the average DCUM parent. FGLIs get more slack.

OP, ask in college confidential and /r/aplyingtocollege. What is their weighted GPA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wash U has recently put a lot of focus on increasing the # of Pell students.
I would have your child reach out to admissions. Attend virtual events and ask if they have any fly in programs.
Very few people posting on DCUM are Pell eligible so this is not the best resource. Someone will chime in and say Wash U will never consider that profile.

As FGLI the kid can have much lower stats and still get in.

[Anonymous]

Sadly, Pell grants are a drop in the bucket unless your kid goes to community college where the price is low. Do that for two years and then transfer.