I am an incoming high school senior from colorado. I have a GPA of 3.95 and an ACT of 30. I am on student council, have played varsity lacrosse every year, participated in various clubs and work a part time job. I am looking to go to a school somewhere on the west coast that will challenge me but where I will still be able to succeed. I plan to earn a law degree in the future, but I am at a loss for where I want to apply! any help or input would be appreciated!
You need to tell us what YOU want. What do you want to major in? What size school do you want to go to? In a city, suburb, or the middle of nowhere? And - this is very important - how much can you afford?
Since you will be an out of state applicant, the first thing you need to do is ask your parents how much they are willing to pay for your college education. Many OOS public schools give little to no financial aid to a non-resident applicant, so if you are in need of FA, these schools can be eliminated from consideration.
Intended Major? Private or Pubic (if you can afford)? Small/Large? Urban/Suburban/Rural? Weather likes/dislikes?
Preferred states: Orgeon/Washington/California/Hawaii?
Check out the WUE schools: You get reduced tuition as an OOS applicant. Some majors are not available but there are many good West Coast options.
By West Coast, do you primarily mean CA? Anywhere in the Western United States? What are your financial parameters: do you need financial aid (and will you qualify for it), merit aid? Are you good enough at lacrosse to be recruited, do you think? Do you want to be in a large school? Small? City? Rural?
Generally, look at the Western University Exchange. Colorado is one of the member states. Basically, if you find a school in their database that needs the specific major you’re interested in (see which ones they’re recruiting for), and you get in, you pay the equivalent of in-state tuition, instead of out-of-state. Can really save you a lot of money.
Finances are not an issue I need to worry about, however I am not looking to shell out 60 thousand dollars for a school where I will not receive a quality education. Currently I plan on majoring in political science or a some type of government field. I am interested in a warm weather state with a mid sized student body (between 5 and 20 thousand). I have been recruited to play lacrosse at Chapman, Occidental, Redlands and Claremont McKenna but I would also like to look to expand my options beyond small D3 colleges where I would potentially play lacrosse.
I would cross of the California UC’s since have a larger student body than what you are looking for plus they will cost your around $55K/year and projected to go up in the next few years. However, if you are a recruited athlete, these costs may be moot. UCD/UCB/SDSU/Oregon all have D1 lacrosse teams.
Look at USC, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, and UCSB.
Cal has a good lax program. Counts for a lot to be an athlete and your grades/scores are good.
^^but at a cost of $55k a year.
That’s a high class problem to have. CMC is particularly fine, a well regarded LAC in a community of about 5,000 with the adjacent colleges. It is a good pick for your goals and interests. Many student pick CMC over UCs and even top east coast colleges.
Sounds like Claremont McKenna is actually perfect for you. It has a top rated PS/ Goverment program, is part of the Claremont Consortium, made up of 5 colleges located within the nice town north of LA. There are 5000 students total, and you’ll have the opportunity to cross register at other colleges like top rated Pomona and Harvey Mudd, live in sunny S Calif and play lacrosse as well.
Whats not to like?