She goes to a private prep school, B average. SAT 1220. Interested in U Miami, Tulane, Clemson, Texas, Arizona, Maryland. Thoughts?
How competitive is the private school? Extra circulars? Has she done anything interesting?
It’s a good, competitive admissions school but not top tier. She’s played sports and done activities but nothing notable. She did a college summer program in her anticipated major at American University and should have a good essay as a strong point.
Intended major? If it’s STEM, Maryland and UT will be reaches. (I’m not familiar with the other schools enough to comment).
Psychology, especially forensic psychology. Her summer program was in Forensic Science.
Since your D is in a private prep school I would start by talking to the guidance counselor who should know the history of college admissions to those colleges from her HS. Naviance is a great tool as well. You can also Google the class profile and common data set for each school on your list.
Arizona is a match
Miami is possible
The rest are reaches
She should try to increase her SAT score if she can
I think it’s definitely possible for some of the state schools, U Miami probably and it’s also important to note that for the state schools, it’s harder to get into if you come from out of state. Tulane is kind of a reach, she isn’t a unique applicant nor does she show leadership or a clear common theme. Colleges like to see that you are headed in one specific area like personally I did a pre-college program in law, I have interned for lawyers, I have written articles about law, I am an officer for multiple law-related clubs and so forth. I have made it very clear that I have the intent to go into law which is what they like to see. My advice is to make sure she is showing direction and leadership in the area that she is passionate about.
Thank you all. She has a counselor and they just had a college fair but unfortunately it was mostly New England liberal arts colleges. There aren’t great stats for the schools she’s interested in.
Arizona is a match, but the rest are far reaches if you are OOS and don’t have a good class rank. Miami is private, so if she has good extracurriculars or a hook anything is possible.
@kent19mom My DD2018 has a 4.81wgpa/3.6uw, rank 80/586, ACT 28 (which is SAT equivalent 1320), co-captain of varsity sport, good ECs, good essays, good LOR, same potential major as your DD. Was waitlisted at Clemson and offered alternative admission at UT. Clemson seemed to want ACT 29 and up this year.
Arizona is probably a match
U Miami is a low reach
All the others are reaches.
She might want to consider University of New Mexico, if she’s considering Arizona (ASU or U of A?) and Texas. She is right on the cusp for in state tuition under the Amigo scholarship (3.0 average, 1240 SAT) and qualifies for the LUE (1.5 x in state tuition). Total costs would be less than 20K annually for Amigo and about 24K for LUE. UNM has a well regarded honors program.
https://scholarship.unm.edu/scholarships/non-resident.html
TX and MD (assuming out of state) would be reaches. Maybe check out UT-Dallas too?
For forensics, she might want to check out U of New Haven, WVU or Arcadia University ¶, which would likely be matches for her stats. She might be eligible for merit scholarships at WVU and Arcadia.
Good luck!