<p>As of now I am planning on applying to 9 schools, mostly because I am hoping to get a merit scholarship that will cover almost all of my tuition. What do you think my chances are of getting in and perhaps getting money from:
1. USC
2. Northwestern
3. George Washington
4. American
5. Pepperdine
6. Syracuse
7. Boston U
8. Ithaca</p>
<p>I have taken all honors (10 total) and AP classes (4) whenever available throughout high school. (Attended competitive public high school-also participated in Drama Magnet program)</p>
<p>GPA: 4.13 (only AP classes weighted)
In top 5% of class (don't know my class rank specifically) out of 250 students
AP Biology: 5
AP US History: 5
Currently taking AP Literature and AP Calculus AB</p>
<p>SAT I: 1410 (700 Math, 710 Verbal)</p>
<p>EC:
3 years JV and V Softball
2 years V Golf
4 years in Drama Magnet and performed in many school plays - was a Governor's Honors Semi-Finalist in Drama
3 years in film club
2 years in National Honor Society
1 year volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters
2 years on school newspaper staff (1 year as In-Depth Editor) - won award at a summer Journalism week-long seminar as "Most Insightful Observationist"
2 years on student government</p>
<p>What do you think? Any ideas on California schools with Journalism programs that could be less expensive than private schools? Any ideas on schools with Journalism that I could be almost assured of a merit scholarship?</p>
<p>Medill (Northwestern) is the #1 program and would be a reach. Your SAT score is right around their average but your ECs are probably a bit weak for Medill as far as the journalism/writing related ones go. A strong essay can push you in. The bad news for you is Northwestern doesn't offer merit-based scholarships.</p>
<p>USC has a decent program (top 10-15) and your SAT is above their average. I've seen numerous others on CC boards saying they got merit-based schlarships from them. So definitely won't hurt to apply.</p>
<p>I am also applying to George Washington and Boston U and I know they both give significant merit scholarships, some even full or half tuition. I think those are definitely good places to think about, your SAT score is strong and your GPA also impressive.</p>
<p>I thought my SAT score was the weakest part of my application. It seems like so many schools require you to be in the top 5 percentile (USC) to even be considered for their top merit scholarships!</p>
<p>Yo i think u can stand a good chance at any of ur schools ur applying with NW being the hardest. Your class rank is very high. If theres any school thats a clear cut fav from that list, apply ED or EA there and u stand as good a shot as anyone for those schools. Gl and ty for ur post</p>
<p>I have heard Berkeley has a fantastic journalism program, you might want to look into that. Are you a Cali resident? If so, that would be a great option it seems.</p>
<p>I think you'd get into most, if not all of the schools you listed. But merit aid I'm not so sure about (that just means I'm not so knowledgable towards who gets how much). Boston Uni is the only one I know of specifically, they might give you some . . .if i'm not mistaken, they are generous to great students.
for University Scholarship:
Recipients' average high school GPA: 3.90
Average rank in class: top 4 percent
Average SAT I score: 1440 (ACT: 32)</p>