I am a rising junior and am starting to research schools but am conflicted because I am not that competitive of an applicant.My parents have not been very helpful because all they suggest are selective liberal arts colleges that they and their friends went to.I have taken all average classes so far and have gotten a 3.88 gpa.The classes were really easy for me but the honors classes were way too hard so I really didn’t know what to do.I got a 1760 on the psat in the fall.This upcoming year I am taking all normal classes except for AP Gov. and AP Econ.I live in the New England region and go to a very well known public high school which sends many kids to selective colleges.(17 out of around 260 went to ivy league colleges).I would like to go to a relatively small to medium sized college.I think maximum amount of people I would like is 12,000.I don’t really have a preference to where it is located and am willing to travel across the country.I don’t really care about the weather,I don’t mind the heat or the cold.I want to major in business but I don’t think I would like going to only a business school.I am not too big on sports right now but I think I would appreciate them more in college.My parents want me to go to a well-known college which I doubt is going to happen considering I am not that smart,but I am willing to try.I think they think that just because they and the rest of my family did it I can do it but I can’t.Any suggestions of colleges in my range that would please my parents?
A 3.8 GPA is good, though without knowing your SATs it’s hard to gauge where you might be a fit. Another issue is financial: will your parents pay upwards $60,000 per year? If so, rest assured that there are many very good schools where you will be admitted. Maybe not Harvard or University of Chicago or Amherst… but still good schools.
As the poster above mentioned, it is important to know the financial parameters – how much can your parents afford, and what are they willing to pay? (And those are two different issues.) Once you start identifying possible schools, be sure that you do the Net Price Calculators for the schools to determine what your family’s expected financial contribution will be.
Not knowing anything about your family’s finances, I will throw out a couple of suggestions as a basis for further research by you: Elon University in North Carolina; Butler University in Indiana; Bradley University in Illinois; and Bentley University in Massachusetts. These are good “regional” schools that offer business-related majors.
If going to a “well-known” college becomes more of an issue for you or your parents, then consider paying for a good test preparation course or service prior to taking the SAT and ACT.
At such a school shouldn’t your GC be well informed about good options for you?
Someone once said “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” and I think there’s a lot of truth in that. What you are saying is part of what’s called the “fixed mindset” studied by Dweck at Stanford. See, for example, https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve?language=en
Exhorting you to change your beliefs isn’t going to work, I know. Your parents have tried and failed, there’s no reason for you to believe a complete stranger posting here. The only person that can change your mind is you after you look at the evidence, assuming you believe it.
However should you someday decide that people can achieve more if they’re willing to work for it, there are a number of resources you can turn to that explain what to do. One book I’d recommend is the recent book “Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning” which is written by some of the leading researchers in the field but with the help of a 3rd author wrote a book that is both informative and practical. And at that “very well known public high school” I think you’ll find that teachers are very receptive to helping kids who decide they want to step up their game.
My parents would not qualify for financial aid and I assume due to our lifestyle that money will not be a consideration in choosing a college.I have researched Elon and it seems really nice,is there any others similar to that one in that area?I think it would be good to go to a different part of the country and experience life there.
How about Lake Forest, near Chicago?
Consider Bryant University. The avg stats are lower than yours, you could probably consider it as a safety. All business, I believe. I have a friend who goes there and likes it a lot.
Really do talk to your parents about the college budget. The costs can be $60K+/year which is not a small number.
I have thought about Bryant but it is way too close to where I live now(like 20 minutes away).I am 100% positive that they can pay for any college for me and my three siblings but the most important thing is finding a college that I can succeed at.
How are your extra curriculars? They are often a large factor in admissions which can surpass academics for many schools. Even if your EC’s aren’t top notch, it’s not too late for people in our grade (I’m the class of 2017 too lol) to join some clubs and do some more volunteer work.
My extracurriculars are pretty average but I am going to try to work on them and I volunteered a lot this summer but will try to get more involved throughout the school year.
I appreciate the suggestions above and will do more research into them.Another thing I am looking for in a college is for it to be non religion affiliated and I know there are many colleges that are religious and I am Jewish and would not feel comfortable with taking required theology courses.
^ Some religiously affiliated schools require taking theology courses; and some don’t. You should look at course requirements for each school in which you are interested.
If you like Elon, take a look at College of Charleston and University of Richmond. And you may find a few matches and safeties here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/931514-colleges-for-the-jewish-b-student.html
College of Charleston seems really nice but my only concern is how well-known it is,I know that it is AACSB accredited but on a national level because I don’t plan on living in South Carolina.The University of Richmond seems like such a nice school but it would be a reach for me to get into.
You’d be surprised at the number of students we hear from whose parents certainly seem to earn enough to be able to afford to pay ~$60k/year (~$240k/child) but who refuse to spend that much. I’d follow the advice of Erin’s Dad and ask them directly for a concrete number so you know what you have to work with.
I am totally sure that my dad can pay for everything I don’t need to ask.I come from a very wealthy family,my dad went to an expensive college and med school and graduated with no loans.I know that I have a large college savings account,money isn’t a factor the only factor is if it is a good college or not.
If you go on College of Charleston’s website , it will give you a lot of information regarding it’s previous classes and where students have come from. I think you’ll be surprised at the number of different states their students have come from . I can’t speak about national recognition , but is fairly well known on the East Coast. USC Columbia also has a good business program.