Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^and if this is a DD instead of a DS, definitely consider a women's college like Wellesley for a reach. Women's colleges have fewer applicants than comparable co-ed schools, so chances of admission are higher. I assume you will be full pay? If so, that definitely works to your advantage at need aware schools (which most are outside the top schools).

How do schools know you are "full pay" thus give you a bump in admissions? You can always fudge the first year and apply to FA the second year onward....

Please note that at some schools, if you don't apply for financial aid freshman year, you can't apply in later years unless you can demonstrate unusual hardship. Since the CSS asks for previous years' tax info, some schools are concerned that parents spend freshman year hiding their money and then apply for FA sophomore year. This isn't the norm, but be aware that it's a possibility and something you should ask about.

The college application asks if you will be applying for FA. It's not binding (you can say no and then decide to apply), but saying no suggests the strong possibility that you will be full pay.

We will be full pay. Unless schools give $ for ACT scores. Clearly, the grades won't be getting any merit money.

Anonymous wrote:^^and if this is a DD instead of a DS, definitely consider a women's college like Wellesley for a reach. Women's colleges have fewer applicants than comparable co-ed schools, so chances of admission are higher. I assume you will be full pay? If so, that definitely works to your advantage at need aware schools (which most are outside the top schools).

How do schools know you are "full pay" thus give you a bump in admissions? You can always fudge the first year and apply to FA the second year onward....

We shall see.

^ well, that improves the likelihood of merit aid and having a choice of safeties, and a chance at reach schools too.

yes, apply to schools all over the spectrum of selectivity.

My DC is currently a senior, has almost identical SAT, I&II and is also from elite private. DC applied to a number of the schools mentioned here regular decision - and for the record Northeastern is viewed as a big reach for DC even with top 1% scores due to 3.1 GPA, but both Wake and Colgate are both in the running according to college counselor and offer a more personalized admittance process (Interviews, lots of correspondence with DC, etc.). To give you a sense of competition DC was deferred at both JMU and Tulane early action. We were told that both Early Decision and Early Action are difficult for candidates such as DC because they will want to see senior grades. Apply to many schools and hope that your DC will spark an admissions committee's interest through essays and profile. Be proactive - visit the schools and if there is a clear favorite let them know your DC is interested. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:Art schools?

huh? not sure if this was a sarcastic remark or are all of you that jaded that you think OP's son is destined only for ART college? that is seriously messed up thinking.

Anonymous wrote:she has no idea about a major. probably not English or foreign languages, but everything else is on the table.

If she's interested in science she should definitely look at Northeastern University in Boston. It has strong science programs with lots of potential for research for an undergraduate, not to mention their amazing co-op program that will give your student a leg up on her resume. My DC is a 2nd year student and absolutely loves it. Also, it's in the heart of Boston (but with an actual campus) so how could it be bad!