<p>So I'm applying to UT-Austin, UMD, UNC-Chapel Hill, Syracuse, Northwestern, USC, and UCLA/UCB.</p>
<p>MD resident
3.9 GPA UW (3.86 taking frosh year out)/4.54 (4.4ish) W
800 V, 680 M, 770 W
Tough courseload, 9 APs by graduation</p>
<p>ECs are varied: horseback riding, sax, running; depth & time commitment but no awards</p>
<p>I want to go to a big school with a strong communications/journalism department. Is this a good list? Is there something I should add/take off? It feels so weird having a final list, I just want some opinions...my parents are clueless.</p>
<p>Try Ohio U in athens ohio... it's has the #1 journalism in the US and it would be SUPER safe for you. Also the honors college is very very well thought of.</p>
<p>the UCs are a sweet deal if you're in-state, but I can't see why anyone would go out-of-state. For what you'll pay to attend a UC you could go to a good private school that has smaller classes, personal attention from profs, housing on/near campus, closer ties to alums, and that focuses on educating undergrads instead of grad students.</p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, the tradeoff in cost is well worth it for CA residents, but I scratch my head wondering why anyone from outside CA would pay full freight (estimated costs of $42/year according to UCLA) to go there. And don't think they'll help out with financial aid, either; its tight enough for CA residents and there isn't enough to fund out-of-state students.</p>
<p>What privates would you suggest? I felt that UCLA and UCB were good "fits" due to size & proximity to metropolitan areas. However if there is a smaller school with a decent communications major and sound overall academics I am /definitely/ up for suggestions...</p>
<p>UMissouri and Ohio State...do they really have good academics?</p>
<p>Maybe I have the wrong idea. I visited a "small" school (less than 10,000 undergrad) and felt all claustrophobic. Also the campus just seemed too dead...I really like the activity and energy of a huge school. Of course I'm willing to make exceptions for schools like Northwestern that are a perfect fit otherwise...</p>