<p>Hey, I'm new here and I want to know where I should apply with my stats.
My GPA is 3.9 and my SAT is 550 CR, 580 Math, 570 Writing, and my ACT is 26. That was from my second time taking the SAT. So far I'm ranked 1st in my class. I just took general chemistry 1 at Villanova and got a B+ in the class and an A in the lab. General chemistry 2 starts next week. I took the AP American history and AP English exam, but I don't have my scores yet. I'm feeling a 3 or 4 for the both of them though, hopefully a 4.</p>
<p>For clubs, I'm on the soccer and track team. I'm pretty much a shoe in for soccer captain since there's going to be 2 seniors this season. Just last year, I ran a full marathon. And I work in a pizzeria. For volunteering, I check up on my elderly neighbors, especially now since it's hot, mow their lawns, and shovel their snow. Sometimes I do odd job for them and other neighbors. I'm not sure how this stuff demonstrates my intelligence, but whatever.</p>
<p>So far, I've got my mind set on applying to Villanova. the campus is lovely, the neighborhood is great, my chem teacher was excellent and very helpful. But the thing is my SAT isn't quite near it. I can't find anything on their ACT scores. And the kids there felt pretty high class to me, I'm from Philly so i'm not high class at all.</p>
<p>I'm looking to be a general science major, and maybe a french and english minor. So where else should I apply? I was at my dentist the other day and he told me about his time at Penn State. And my counselor said I'm definitely good enough for Penn State. A lot of my teachers went to Temple, Lasalle or St. joes, and told me about their experience there although some of it might be kinda old lol. I visited Temple yesterday and it was awesome, definitely more compact and taller than Villanova, and I got a free buffet lunch! I'm hoping to visit more around the area, but I don't know much about colleges, and I don't see any of of my teachers aside form my coach until September so can yous give me any suggestions to look at?</p>
<p>Also, if you can afford it, get an SAT tutor. It may seem like a lot of money, but if it gets you into your dream school, it could be worth it. My friend raised her SAT from a 2100 to a 2260 with a tutor and then later went on to get a 36 on the ACT and she attributes this mostly to the tutor.</p>
<p>@wildflowerwaltz Purdue!? I can’t betray Penn State
A company tried to get us to sign up for SAT lesson for a few hundred dollars. I’m pretty sure tutors would cost way more, so definitely not feeling it. And I can’t study for SAT, gotta study for calc!
I read in your message that you were Asian? Does being Asian help? Because I’m Asian too…chinese</p>
<p>@redroses I haven’t had trouble in class since 8th grade. Straight A’s Almost had an A in gen chem 1, hopefully, I’ll get it in 2</p>
<p>Villanova, visited
Temple, visited
Penn State
West Chester
Community College
Drexel
La Salle
St. Joe’s</p>
<p>I’m looking to live on campus and be a little but away from home so I’m most likely not going to Drexel or Temple. Can I have some more suggestions because I only have time to visit schools in the summer, and I won’t be seeing my counselor until school starts. Thank you!</p>
<p>And also, i looked up these schools in the rankings, and only found Penn State and Drexel, so does this mean the other schools aren’t good enough for the rankings?</p>
<p>And so you think schools would over look my SAT scores if I did well in a few college courses, got 4’s and above on my AP exams, and have a high GPA and rank? I want to get into a decent school so i can have a good paying job when I graduate. I’m taking AP calculus my senior year, and hopefully organic chemistry 1 and 2 at 'nova gain if I pass gen chem 2. Thanks again!</p>
<p>You may want to add an LAC (Liberal Arts College) to your list since Pennsylvania offers a lot of options. Franklin & Marshall in Lancaster has a strong science program and is SAT optional. I would think that might be a possible match. If you visit, you can also see both Gettysburg and Dickinson since they are within an hour of each other.</p>
<p>Forget about the stupid US News rankings. People on here take them too seriously. They’re heavily flawed and easily manipulated. Dont base your college decision on what some magazine says.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions!!
I’ve really liked what College of the Holy Cross has to offer. It appears to give a very good education and it’s SAT optional. Can someone tell me stuff about this place like it’s academics?</p>
<p>How about this?
I go to community college for two years and transfer to West Chester University? CC is only $3000 a year and West Chester is only $6000 a year. If I get financial aid for this, it would be even cheaper. </p>
<p>My neighbor who has a similar income to me goes to Penn State and he’s going to be graduating with around $20,000 debt so he’s going to pay or has paid about $25,000 for his whole education. I’m pretty sure I would have to pay just as much so my question is is it worth it to pay more for four years of college, or pay for CC + 2 years?</p>
<p>Your scores and grades will put you in the running for lots of colleges, but you need to figure out your finances. How much can or will your parents spend? Find out your EFC on sites like fafsa4caster. Unless you’re a full paying customer finances usually impact your choice just as much as your credentials. Do your financial homework</p>
<p>Being Asian only helps at some of the less diverse schools. For top universities (like the Ivies) it hurts a little and you have to set yourself apart from the typical piano/violin/math/science students unless you’re truly exceptional at the aforementioned things.</p>
<p>I’m not worried about the money. I would be perfectly happy going to Penn State and paying 25,000, if I can’t afford anything else. A lot of kids from my grade school go to psu, and some of them are very much worse off financially than I am.
When I get the chance, I’m going to write in for a few scholarships too. If I am totally desperate, I can get my old contracting job back. no more free food!! :(</p>
<p>Do you have to play an instrument along with being good at school to get into an ivy? or is it just talent? There’s one in my city that would give me a full ride (pretty sure!) if I get in. again, there are kids from my grade school who are better off than me that go there for nearly nothing (i remember they mentioned a few thousands a year) because they were poor…and they’re not poor at all!</p>
<p>And I was just talking to my friend and he says he wants to head up boston for a road trip. i think i might be able get him to go to Holy Cross so I can visit. I know there’s boston college and boston university, and other major colleges. so now, which colleges in boston gives free buffet food to their visitors? and is it legal to sleep in your car? he has a van, will be 18 next week, and the windows are slightly tinted.</p>
<p>Yes, but are your parents perfectly happy paying 25K for PSU? Since that’s likely to be your cheapest decent option, perhaps you should clear that with them before you proceed. Holy Cross is probably closer to 50K and your stats probably aren’t good enough for much merit aid. That’s about a 100K difference over 4 years. Something you may want to consider early in the process.</p>
<p>I plan on paying the tuition myself. I’m only going to ask my parents for money only if I absolutely need it. I’ve saved up a good portion, and coming up with the other portion in 5 years shouldn’t be a problem at all.</p>
<p>I just polished up my applications for Penn State and Villanova. Wish me luck! And I’m feeling good about the ACT score. I’m going to submit them in the coming weeks. I’m so eager.</p>
Almost had an A in gen chem 1, hopefully, I’ll get it in 2</p>
:(</p>