Anonymous wrote:OP, you sound like an amazing aunt.

A few ideas:
1) Read the book “The Years That Matter Most” by Paul Tough. It’s really a good book and there is an example there of a black kid who happened to be mentored by someone who got him access to an amazing SAT tutor (here in DC) and it changed his life. It also talked about the challenges that 1st gen college students have when they go to college and what helps them be successful.
2) See if you can connect with an empathetic high school college admissions counselor at a private school in FL. With their smaller populations, they might be more aware of programs that might fit. For example, when my kid and I toured Tulane someone asked about a program they have for Louisiana residents. We aren’t Louisiana resident but if I remember correctly there is a strong financial aid and admissions program for URM who are Louisiana residents. I wonder if Eckerd or Rollins have similar programs in FL
3) If your niece is disciplined the Khan Academy SAT prep stuff can be good - just not many teens are disciplined enough to stick with it
4) With her family income she will be eligible for a lot of financial aid wherever she goes.
5) if she is adventurous, there are free State Department and other government programs. Sometimes 1st generation college kids have a hard time adjusting to a new “world.” If she can demonstrate she can thrive in similar environments, it might make schools feel like she’s high on the “will stay and graduate” scale. Things like the State Sept Youth Language Program (overseas), Star-Talk language programs, Governor's School (if FL has it - her grades may not be high enough). Or other non- government programs that have good financial aid options (like Middlebury Language Institute). Try to find some residential program for the summer between her jr and sr year.

Good luck! Come back and keep us posted!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A low-income African American junior with a rigorous transcript and 3.4, correct?

Have her try both the SAT and ACT (available free online; have her time it properly) to see which is a better fit for her and then prep only for that one. Have her take the test whenever it becomes available and potentially plan on a second take in the fall of senior year.

Look at Questbridge. Also look at schools that claim to meet full financial need (google lists). Then for each school of interest, use their Net Price Calculator to see an estimate that applies to your finances and that college specifically. See if the price would work. As mentioned above, include travel costs as necessary, though some colleges are more generous than others on that front, if they are more organized about how they help low income students along the way.

If this is a senior, obviously ignore my testing comment, but time would be very short.

Nope she’s in her Sophomore year so hopefully I’m helping her in time!

I’ve already ordered both ACT/SAT books and a career book to help her narrow down what she think it might look like, and she has siblings so I’m hoping they take a peek.

But honestly I feel like it isn’t enough, both parents never graduated high school. So I’m thinking of hiring a SAT or ACT tutor to make sure she knows how to properly prep. But this might be over kill?

Thanks Everyone!

Has she taken the PSATs yet? If so, she can plug the results into Khan Academy and get a lot of practice that way. Even if she doesn't have any test results, Khan Academy is a great resource. Questbridge is an option but it is incredibly competitive and she may not be interested in any of their partner schools. In my opinion, the best thing you can help her do is minimize the amount of money she will need to borrow, even if this means going to a top tier school. I highly recommend the book "Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be" by Frank Bruni. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TS7YDZ4/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 The premise is that you can get a good education anywhere - its about what you do when you get there. She should attend the school that fits her best and then she will make the best of it!

Best of luck to you and her. Sounds like she has some real strengths and grit to be doing as well as she is given her family situation. We didn't face the same financial challenges that you are helping her overcome and still the college application process was stressful. Come back and ask questions as you have them. Some people can be jerks here but others are very helpful and genuinely want to see all kids succeed.

Anonymous wrote:Are you able to sit down with her and help her prep for the SAT/ACT or provide support from afar? My child gained 170 points on the SAT using SAT practice tests and taking all the practice exams with pencil/paper since this is the same as test conditions (as opposed to practicing on the computer). She then spent a lot of time re-doing the questions she got wrong over and over under she understood those concepts. This was a good way to focus her study time and make it more productive. It's great that you are able to support her through this process. Best wishes to her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A low-income African American junior with a rigorous transcript and 3.4, correct?

Have her try both the SAT and ACT (available free online; have her time it properly) to see which is a better fit for her and then prep only for that one. Have her take the test whenever it becomes available and potentially plan on a second take in the fall of senior year.

Look at Questbridge. Also look at schools that claim to meet full financial need (google lists). Then for each school of interest, use their Net Price Calculator to see an estimate that applies to your finances and that college specifically. See if the price would work. As mentioned above, include travel costs as necessary, though some colleges are more generous than others on that front, if they are more organized about how they help low income students along the way.

If this is a senior, obviously ignore my testing comment, but time would be very short.

Nope she’s in her Sophomore year so hopefully I’m helping her in time!

I’ve already ordered both ACT/SAT books and a career book to help her narrow down what she think it might look like, and she has siblings so I’m hoping they take a peek.

But honestly I feel like it isn’t enough, both parents never graduated high school. So I’m thinking of hiring a SAT or ACT tutor to make sure she knows how to properly prep. But this might be over kill?

Thanks Everyone!

Anonymous wrote:A low-income African American junior with a rigorous transcript and 3.4, correct?

Have her try both the SAT and ACT (available free online; have her time it properly) to see which is a better fit for her and then prep only for that one. Have her take the test whenever it becomes available and potentially plan on a second take in the fall of senior year.

Look at Questbridge. Also look at schools that claim to meet full financial need (google lists). Then for each school of interest, use their Net Price Calculator to see an estimate that applies to your finances and that college specifically. See if the price would work. As mentioned above, include travel costs as necessary, though some colleges are more generous than others on that front, if they are more organized about how they help low income students along the way.

If this is a senior, obviously ignore my testing comment, but time would be very short.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Muhlenberg
Ithaca College

Look for schools with high endowments and meets nearly full need.

Less competitive NESCAC, Colgate, Bucknell.

Agree look into Questbridge.

I would highly doubt a 3.4 GPA will get her into Colgate and Bucknell... am I missing something?

Yes. Colleges love kids with great potential from less than ideal circumstances.

And first gen and URMs...


I thought they reserved those few low spots for athletes and legacies.