<p>RE: Monterrey Bay - They have the most unique curriculum in the Cal State system, I love how they really focus on pulling things together for kids into career-oriented programs. Also, at just 3500 students it is one of the smallest Cal State schools. I haven't visited, but have talked to one student there who is very happy. I think it's a great option.</p>
<p>Mom2Inca, Don't judge her chances at UCSB strictly by numbers. The UC comp review process takes so many things into consideration that numbers alone don't always indicate chances. I'd suggest you read up on the UC comp review process at <a href="http://www.ucop.edu/admissions%5B/url%5D">www.ucop.edu/admissions</a> After you get to the site, and have read the info. for students, look for the "counselor" section. Then look under presentations -- they have a presentation there from last summer's counselor program that discusses UCSB in particular. There is also some great information in those presentations about the comp review process and writing essays. There is another site I can point you to that specifically deals with how to write the UC essays. If you email me at <a href="mailto:CZLAW@aol.com">CZLAW@aol.com</a> I can send it to you (I'm not on my office computer this morning so don't have the link).</p>
<p>Mom60, In particular, look at Whittier and U of the Pacific. U of Redlands and Chapman would be somewhat reachier, but possible. In the PNW, check out Pacific U and Linfield College. In Arizona, I have heard very good things about Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. It is a public school, but smaller than ASU or U of Az. and reports I have are that it is a pretty nuturing place. </p>
<p>If you're willing to consider Catholic schools, Dominican, USF and St. Mary's would be good possibilities. OF the three, I like Dominican the best, although that's a personal preference after visiting. Another Catholic school that really impressed both my daughter and I was the U of Portland. It's the only Catholic school my daughter seriously considered applying to (but since they don't have an art major, it didn't make the final cut). Seattle U is another nice choice for someone with "B" grades --- although Catholic, I believe only 50% or so of the students there are actually Catholic.</p>
<p>Carolyn, I tried the link to the UC comp review process but it's not working. </p>
<p>TheDad, my D says that if you are anything like the tanned, shirtless surf-board carrying young men she saw cruising through Isla Vista on their beach cruisers last month, there's no problem. ;)</p>
<p>Northern Arizona in Flagstaff is the first school my son was accepted to; 3.0 GPA and you are automatically offered admittance. He has also been offered admittance to Arizona State, Colorado State, and Colorado Boulder. We are awaiting decisions for Whittier, St. Mary's of California, and Chapman (his reach school). There are plenty of schools for B students.</p>
<p>Carolyn -- I had to laugh. I visited the counselor page, and you know a process is complicated when something called a "Quick Guide for Counselors" turns out to be a PDF file that is 81 pages long!</p>
<p>PeruvianMom, when I interned & worked on the East coast after college, questions like "Do you have a surfboard" or "How many orgies in Malibu did you go to?" were not uncommon. </p>
<p>I'm an indifferent swimmer, don't surf, and my skin has two settings: Moby Dick White and Sunburned Red. I was something of a geek before geeks became popular. Pre-Bill Gates and all of that. However, SB was social enough that geeks like me could, umm, have one heck of a time...yeah, that's what I meant to say. Though I was though something of a marvel for getting out of UCSB without ever having tried marijuana...I was petrified of losing my security clearance.</p>
<p>mom60, no, we are Texas residents. Because of the top ten percent rule here, and we are at a competitive, large public high school, it is easier for him to get admittance out of state! With an unweighted GPA of 3.2, he is barely in the top half of his class.</p>
<p>It is strange reading a post that you participated in a year ago. Anyway- just wanted to add that if your B Student is having a tough time with the SAT's, do not overlook taking the ACT. My d had the most awful time with the SAT. She took it only once as her score was really dismal. The format of this testjust zapped all her energy . The ACT didn't seem to bother my kid as much as the SAT and she scored an equivalent of 140 points higher than the SAT. All the applications are in and we're in the waiting mode- but my d has already been accepted to Towson- SUNY Oneonta and U of Tampa. I do not think she would have gotten into those schools if we had to rely on her SAT score.</p>
<p>Carolyn - Sorry I took awhile getting back to your question . I posted today a reply in PARENT'S FORUM to a Mom whose daughter is considering Hiram . The schedule - the Hiram Plan - is different but each one of my daughter's freinds have done abroad ( she is planning China in May ) because of the convenient three weeks schedule . My D did take a heavy duty European history three - weeks and she said she was not ready for all the reading in it but she prevailed marvelously . It gave her a lot of confidence , and believe me , the Freshmen seminar in English really helped her a lot . There seems to be helping hand everywhere . No cutthroat competition ; She had Seniors helping her papers advice in the coffeehouse , library , ect . People there want the students to succeed and find their niche . </p>
<p>The small size does not bother her ( we are from a major NY city ) nor some of her other freinds from big cities ( LA , NYC , SF, Cleveland ) . We don't mind the drive because it's a pretty drive and she does not have a car but many students do have cars and Hiram is a village where Profs. live with their families , it has a public school for their children , P.O. , village store , a gift shop , a B & B . The next town is 1 1/2 miles ( she has walked this ) with all the other amenities but there is always someone to drive her . She has has dinners at profs. homes and the advisors in her dept . seem very indepth . </p>
<p>I was really impressed when she was a new transfer and the Dean of students ( who also lives on campus in the village ) called us at home to make sure our D has a ride to campus from the Greyhound station on a Sunday . So the ruralness does work it's kinks out one way or another which would be the only downfall we had with the campus .</p>
<p>But impressively , my D worked at the graduation for last year's class and when I heard about the grad school acceptances of the graduates , that sealed our best hope in the place for her . </p>
<p>And here's the best part ! Our "C " student has grown into a serious "A" student there !</p>
<p>For the B student, with average SAT's, I want to second the U New Hampshire recommendation. This is a quality state school, with several very respected programs (eg, Engineering which I am familiar with), attractive campus. My gS is there with a 3.0 in a non-strong hs and non-strong program and a 970. He is thriving. U Maine is another option, where these kids seem to thrive and is a good alternative, especially, for those who are outdoors-y types.</p>
<p>The only first-hand knowledge I have re B-school UNH admissions was a pretty strong candidate from here (oos, but next door). He was 90uw/111w. 720m/580v/23ACT. He did consider it his safety and went to Babson.</p>
<p>gS was admitted to Engineering (also considered pretty competitive) even with his stats as above. He was in-state and, if you didn't follow his story last year, had maybe some points in "pulling himself up by bootstraps" although nothing super-dramatic, and having had a gap year, although nothing planned and definitely nothing dramatic (grocery store clerk) during that time.</p>
<p>UNH is used as a safety by very many of the strong candidates here, in many fields, and is applied to as a first choice by many of the "B student" types.</p>
<p>Actually, I did follow the inspirational story of your gS and I am very happy to hear that he is thriving at UNH. It is such a wonderful story! I think your retelling it, gives hope to many less than stellar hs students.</p>
<p>I have friends at Quinnipiac who LOVE the school. I also know people at sacred heart who seems to like it. Two of my friends go to UNH and also love it. all seem great!</p>
<p>In high school I had a B average (solid B, exactly, UW) and an 1120 SAT and was accepted to both Pitt and Indiana University (in Bloomington...not IUP). I was rejected Penn State - Main (accepted to branches).</p>
<p>However, at Pitt I felt as if I were the only one who had the type of high school stats I had...all of my friends were AP/Honors 4.0+ weighted 1250-1300+ SAT... </p>
<p>IU has been becoming more competitive, as has Pitt in the past few years, however, they are still quite attainable for the B student with slightly above the traditional average (not CC average) SATs.</p>
<p>The Pa State schools have been becoming more competitive as well. C+ students are going to have a rougher time in the coming years to get into them, especially the more sought after ones (i.e. West Chester, Millersville, Slippery Rock. etc.) but is a good option for B students who want an excellent education for a career in education or liberal arts/business fields (not quite as strong in the sciences traditionally).</p>
<p>Ophiolite- Interesting point you make. My d got into Towson and U of Albany (which I gotta admit was a pleasant surprise). She is a B+ student but also has no AP/Honors classes. I do feel that many of the students at these schools were in a more competitve classroom environment and had higher SAT/ACT score. I am curious whether you felt comfortable at Pitt or was there a bit of insecurity knowing that most of the other students had "higher stats" than you? My d also has other SUNY acceptances to Oneonta (which all of a sudden seems to be getting her interest) and Brockport which may be a better academic match. She also applied to West Chester but hasn't heard from them yet and I think she is ruling out Temple in which she was already been accepted into. At this stage, she is calling the shots. She has to be happy with the school choice not me. Financially all the schools are ok as they are either public Univ. or tuition isn't outrageous (U of Tampa). And basically I can find good (and bad) of the remaining schools in contention. So it will be interesting to see what her final decision is going to be. And it's true in NY too, the Suny's are also becoming more competitive. We had d apply to 1 community college (Delhi) just to have an absolute safety. Best advice to B students--Take both the ACT and SAT (unless you are truly satisfied with your test results) and GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN EARLY FOR ROLLING ADMISSION SCHOOLS.</p>
<p>At the beginning, primarily my first semester, I felt intimidated. I went into my classes thinking I was 'less intelligent' or what-not and was very worried about the Calc I class I placed into (I was pretty much the only freshman in it without HS Calc). However, I went into the class knowing I'd have to work extra-hard to make up the difference and made sure to ask my instructor I would be alright in the class. She told me I'd be fine if I made sure I was dilligent with practice sets, which I was, and received an A+ on the first exam (only forgot to carry a negative sign on one problem) and an A for the class. The others who had high school Calc ended up not doing very well for the most part because they thought they knew everything from high school and didn't attend classes. </p>
<p>After this experience and an amazing first semester (better than all of my honor/AP friends), I became much more comfortable. I actually think it was better for me because I knew I needed to work harder to succeed in college and those who glided through high school thought they could glide through college. </p>
<p>I went into college thinking I'd be a 5-year student, get the bachelor degree and get out of school forever. However, I graduated in 4 years and am now in my second year of a MS program applying for PhD programs...A positive attitude coming into college and wanting to absorb all the material you possibly can goes a long way!</p>
<p>If your D goes in with a positive attitude ready to learn and wanting to absorb knowledge as I was, she will be successful wherever she ends up attending.</p>
<p>Edit: I also wanted to second the advice to take both the SAT and the ACT for borderline students! I did so, and though I didn't get a high score (I didn't know how to prepare for the ACT), it's worth to see which is more geared to your brain :)</p>