<p>Hi, CC. I'm a junior in an average high school in Maryland. I'm taking honors classes, working hard, and have worked my GPA up to 3.32. I predict that by the end of my senior year, I'll have a 3.4, or if I do better than expected, a 3.5.
I took the PSAT back in October 2010. CR: 520. WR: 630. M: 700. I have yet to take the SAT, so I am predicting somewhere between 1800 and 1950(I got 1850 on PSAT in total).
My only AP this year was AP Language and Composition. Next year, I'm taking AP Statistics, AP Psychology, and maybe AP Physics. I'm taking Calculus with Applications now, and I plan on taking Calculus 101 in college, for those who are wondering(my parents are forbidding me to use AP credits for college because she says I have no business skipping courses; I need all of the help I can get, for I am autistic).
I write scripts in our Comedy Club at school, I ran cross country at the varsity level since freshman year, and I'm a boy scout. I may become an Eagle, which is only attained by 2% of scouts. I play the French horn in my school's symphonic band, mellophone in our marching band, and plan on being the drum major(the guy who conducts the band) next year.</p>
<p>I've used the college matchup function, but I get either super-expensive private schools(Boston University, Santa Clara University, etc.) or low-key four year colleges with <3.0 averages. I'm hoping and praying to get into the University of Maryland-College Park(it's a tough school, but it's in-state. According to Family Connection, the average GPA of UMD-acceptees from my school is 3.46, so I'm not far below the mark. The average SAT from my school is 1727, which I'm well above.). In case I don't, what are some other schools that could be good for me? I plan on majoring in education-I want to teach math to students. I love teaching-it's so satisfying. </p>
<p>And please-I know I'm well below the average for people on this website. I've seen some seriously diatribe-happy students that are arrogant and rude. Please do not send asinine replies such as "3.3? U SUK A*S GO TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE." I just want help. That's all.</p>
<p>You sound like a hard worker and colleges definitely look more than just your grades. By the way you seem very passionate about teaching and that could be a great essay topic to write about on an application — it’s easy and fun to write about what you actually care about. There are many, many options for you.</p>
<p>Here are some schools you might want to consider. I put these on the list because I know several people in my little brother’s grade who had similar statistics as you and got into these:</p>
<p>University of Washington
UMass Amherst
University of Oregon (I heard this place is good for education, and I know many teachers who have gotten their degree from here)
Rutgers U.</p>
<p>Also, if you consider asking for financial aid, then your range of options become so much greater; here are some schools that may be in your GPA/SAT range that are quite expensive:
Lewis & Clark College
Boston U., like you mentioned.
Brandeis…</p>
<p>There are so many more!</p>
<p>Is there any specific area you want to stay in? </p>
<p>And in the end, it’s not about where you go, it’s what you make of it. Good luck. Guess what. I had a 4.0 in high school, over 2000 in SATs, and got rejected by every institution I applied to. Don’t restrict yourself with the colleges you are going to apply to with your SATs and GPA, ok? : )</p>
<p>Weird. As soon as I read the title I thought University of Maryland College Park. That is currently where I go. I got in (in-state) with a 3.4 GPA and a 2070 SAT into Scholars. And I had friends from my crappy public high school with lower GPAs/SAT scores that got in, just not into a program.</p>
<p>Based on my experience, I’d say your good. I actually only got a 4.0 Senior year, the year that didn’t matter haha. Keep your hopes high for UMDCP</p>
<p>Well, for safety’s sake, I gotta mention Towson, Frostburg, and Salisbury. Don’t worry. I’m NOT saying that’s the best you can do. I’m only saying that you need to have safety schools. These are good safeties because they match your stats and won’t cost a lot of money. (Think about student loans on a teacher’s salary.)</p>
<p>Others you might want to look at include Slippery Rock, Shippensburg, York College of Pa, and East Carolina. </p>
<p>I think you have a shot at UMCP, but be aware you might end up in Freshman Connections. I know our HS Family Connection does not seperate Fall vs. Spring admits.
[Office</a> Of Extended Studies - University of Maryland](<a href=“http://www.summer.umd.edu/index.php?slab=freshmen-connection]Office”>http://www.summer.umd.edu/index.php?slab=freshmen-connection)
Also, take a good look at Towson, they have an active Autistic Adult group and has become much more popular in the last few years.
You might want to also look at James Madison and Mary Washington.</p>
<p>U Maryland–Baltimore County should be a good safety. And definitely consider U Delaware–it’s smaller than UMCP with a great campus. My son looked at both and preferred Delaware. Also, I’d second looking at UMass Amherst if you want to go further away from home. The out of state tuition is pretty reasonable ($32K) and they want to attract more OOS students. My son will be going there this fall, but it’s instate for us.</p>
<p>* I predict that by the end of my senior year, I’ll have a 3.4, or if I do better than expected, a 3.5.
*</p>
<p>Well, unless you apply to colleges after you graduate, your current GPA is what is really going to matter. </p>
<p>I’ve used the college matchup function, but I get either super-expensive private schools(Boston University, Santa Clara University, etc.) or low-key four year colleges with <3.0 averages. I’m hoping and praying to get into the University of Maryland-College Park(it’s a tough school, but it’s in-state.</p>
<p>Well, before everyone suggests a bunch of other pricey schools (including out of state publics) …How much will your parents pay each year? If you don’t know, ask them. The amount that your parents will pay will largely determine where you should apply and where you’ll likely attend school.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids: I have an older brother who is graduating this year. He’s going to our community college(Montgomery College) for two years and is planning to attend the Art Institute of Washington once he’s out of MC. He’s an artsy guy and is interested in film, gaming, and computer science. Having two kids in college can get REALLY pricey. I would perfer places with low tuition, which is why I’m praying so hard for UMDCP-in state tuition rules! I also would perfer to stay closer to home anyway. Thanks for replying!</p>
<p>*Having two kids in college can get REALLY pricey. I would perfer places with low tuition, which is why I’m praying so hard for UMDCP-in state tuition rules! *</p>
<p>You still need to know how much your parents will pay. Even if you go to UM-CP, that isn’t going to be free. For an instate student…</p>
<p>This is for the past school year…each year the costs go up.</p>
<p>In-state tuition and fees: $8,416<br>
Room and board: $9,599 </p>
<h2>Books and supplies: $1,076 </h2>
<p>Basic costs…about…$21k per year.</p>
<p>If your parents are fine with paying $21k per year, then you have this school as a safety. However, many people find that they can’t even afford their instate flagship school. </p>
<p>Estimated personal expenses: $2,268<br>
Transportation expense: $756</p>
<p>I’ve discussed it with my parents. It won’t be free nor cheap, but $20-25K for a university like UMD is, in their opinion, quite reasonable. I’m aware that it’s always expensive to go to nearly any college in the U.S… All I’m hoping for is to get the smallest tuition possible while still getting a high-quality education. I believe I’d be happiest at UMD; where tuition is best compared to other high-tier schools I’m considering(Imagine how high the tuition would be if you consider room, board, supplies, and personal expenses at UMASS, U. of Delaware, WVU, etc. since they’re out of state). There also are opportunities for various scholarships, and financial aid is also a possibility. Again, thank you for you input!</p>
<p>I second St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Check it out, at least. It is a beautiful school that looks and feels like a private liberal arts college. For someone on the autism spectrum, it might be a healthier environment than UMCP. </p>
<p>I’d avoid out of state public universities. Why pay 50% more? The only schools that will offer significantly better academics than UMCP or SMCM would be much more selective for OOS students. Go with in-state publics for safety and match schools. For match-reach schools with a realistic chance of decent aid, consider the Colleges That Change Lives list ([Colleges</a> That Change Lives | Changing Lives, One Student at a Time](<a href=“http://www.ctcl.org/]Colleges”>http://www.ctcl.org/)). Examples: Earlham College, Ursinus, Muhlenberg. I’d probably recommend SMCM over any of these unless costs are close after aid.</p>
Good luck!</p>