Chances and advice on LAC's

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>In the past few weeks I've had English teachers drilling "You won't get into college without a 4.0, perfect SAT and three hundred EC's into my head." Now, while I know this is not remotely true I'm starting to get worried about the future.</p>

<p>I'm looking for a LAC, and although I realize none/few(?) have strong communications/journalism programs I would like to pursue that afterwards in grad school. My first choice is Carleton (I've actually already visited the campus and stayed overnight) and following that is Swarthmore, Haverford, Beloit, Wesleyan, Lawrence, Colorado College and Knox in no particular order plus a few others I've looked up. I visited Grinnell and Macalaster but didn't really like what I saw, although I'm rethinking that decision about Grinnell (I was turned off when my host started smoking pot, haha, and even though I don't really have a problem with that it just gave me the wrong impression).</p>

<p>I get worried that I don't have enough EC's though. Take a look:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.83 in a rigorous IB curriculum; one C in an extremely difficult Bio class and a few B's in mathematics, history and sciences (all my worst subjects!)
Class rank: currently about 34/500. I'm not sure exactly the number, but it's in the top 7%
ACT: 31 (English: 35 Math: 27 Reading: 33 Science: 30)
PSAT: 211 (Verbal: 72 Math: 68 Writing: 75)
I'm retaking the ACT in a week and a half, and the SAT and the end of the year. I'm not sure what to do about SAT II's, because no one at my school has so much as mentioned them!
AP US History: 3 (I didn't really care or try, as the teachers didn't give us a choice whether to take them or not, I'm bad at history, and I was a dumb sophomore.)</p>

<p>EC's:</p>

<p>Journalism: I write for one of the top papers in our state. I have won several awards in editorial writing and design, including a "Superior" at the national convention (the highest rating you can win). I've been accepted (and am attending) the National High School Institute - Journalism Division at Northwestern for the summer. I will be editor-in-chief or co-editor next year. Next year I'll be interning at either the local paper or a local magazine through my school. Most of my school free time goes to the paper.</p>

<p>Drama: I'm pretty involved with the drama program, and am a Thespian. I've been in several shows, although I'm admittably not the best actress and am just in it for the fun. I traveled to New York with the drama program and will direct a few One Acts next year.</p>

<p>I'm in NHS, but I'll probably be kicked out because meetings always coincide with my Journalism class (I have to take it during lunch) and so the advisor of that is pretty angry with me. </p>

<p>Also in SNHS, and am the chair of some of the volunteer projects. I traveled to Mexico twice.</p>

<p>Joining clubs is difficult due to my Journalism class, as most meet during lunch.</p>

<p>I volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters, but I don't think that will keep on for much longer.</p>

<p>My recommendations will probably be excellent; my English teacher freshman year (who will also be my senior English teacher) works with admissions at Carleton -- part of the reason I want to go there! -- and my current English and Theory of Knowledge like me pretty well.</p>

<p>Three additional questions:</p>

<p>1) Are there any good liberal arts schools I'm overlooking which have programs, however small, in communications? I know Knox does -- are there any more? And what schools have the best papers? I noticed Grinnell had an excellent newspaper, where Carleton is kind of lacking. It isn't a huge factor in my search but it can't hurt to look.</p>

<p>2) Cost is a bit of a factor. My family is upper middle class and likely won't receive any need-based aid. Although they are willing to contribute $10,000-$20,000 / year to college, I think coercing them to spend more would be nearly impossible. I will be contributing some too, of course, but nothing immensely substantial, and my grandparents will likely contribute as well. What good LAC's are in the $25,000 TUITION range? Which ones also give out numerous merit-based scholarships?</p>

<p>3) Is there any chance I could get into Northwestern? It's always been my dream school in a corner of my mind, and I'll probably apply just to see if I could.</p>

2

<p>You should be able to get into Northwestern, and into any number of good liberal arts colleges. However, the added requirements of a good journalism program and merit aid will be hard to find. I would make list (long as possible, don't rule out anything at this point), and then go through and look for schools that appear on both lists. Some merit aid schools- BU, GWU, U Rochester, Rhodes, Ohio Wesleyan, Emory, Catholic U., Macalaster, Kalamazoo, Knox, Holy Cross, Flagler.</p>

3

<p>definitely check out American, Ithaca and Emerson. All have great journalism/communications programs.</p>

4

<p>look at Kenyon, OH. Great English and Drama Depts.</p>

5

<p>Kenyon has the best english program in the country.</p>

6

<p>Thank you guys very much -- I will definitely check out Kenyon. And the merit aid + journalism is not necessarily a decisive factor; it would just be nice to have a few colleges that fit that description on my final list. Any other ideas/recommendations. And how, specifically, are my chances at Carleton, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Beloit, and Colorado?</p>

7

<p>You are definitely knocking at the door of many of the LACs you'v mentioned. Their emphasis on writing and analytical skills will compensate for any lack of a formal communications major.</p>

8

<p>Jamie I am pretty sure you will get somewhere around 10 K or more merit scholarship from Knox. Also consider that they have department scholarships like writing and theater so it might add another 2-4K. Knox is generous and genuinely will work with your financial situation if you want to go there. Theater program there is outstanding and their motto- freedom to flourish is exactly that- it is amazing how many choices kids have there considering that it is small school.
Beloit is also might be bery good choice- they are suckers for great essays... ;)
very nice community of people. OTOH Beloit and Knox are different schools by spirit so it might be hard to like both of them.
Macalester is more like Beloit where student body is concerned and my eldest had tremendous experience there and still has very close ties to school/ she did sciences there, had very generous scholarship too/.
If money are concern you might not want to look at really reachy schools/ those top ranking/ since your chances for merit aid might not be as great.</p>

9

<p>Other LACs with journalism programs that you might like: Muhlenberg (PA), Gettsburg (PA), DePauw(Indiana), Southwestern (TX), Washington & Lee (VA), Goucher in Maryland. Earlham in Indiana also has a decent journalism program, but it would probably be more like Grinnell then the others I've mentioned. For an excellent English program, also check out Denison in Ohio, Albion in Mich, and Colby in Maine if it is not too far or you.</p>

10

<p>Check out Ohio Wesleyan. Their English and Comparative Lit programs are pretty big for an LAC and they have very strong faculty in this area.</p>

11

<p>university of richmond</p>

12

<p>Holy Cross-1 hour from Boston- solid English program with several famous alumni/authors. HC offers merit aid and will offer more in the next few years.</p>

13

<p>although kenyon has arguably the best english department in the nation, it is far from affordable, and is definitely out of the 25k price range you mentioned. I believe Kenyon is the second most expensive private college in the US (def. top 5) at about 34k in tuition alone. Its definitely worth checking out though.</p>

14

<p>So I just found out that price is not AS BIG of a factor as I thought it was; actually, right now I plan to apply to Carleton ED (with full understanding of the financial obligations that implies). I do like Kenyon a lot.</p>

<p>My ED chances should be higher, yes?</p>