<p>I am a New Jersey resident with a 3.2 unweighted gpa and a 1130 SAT score math and CR combined. I've taken the SAT's again but I have not received the results yet. So far I have applied to Rutgers New Brunswick, SUNY Stony Brook, and University of Connecticut. What are some suggestions as to where I should apply?</p>
<p>What I'm looking for:
-Public University
-I prefer the East Coast but the midwest is fine
-I'm not totally sure as to what I want to major in but im thinking Science related
-Size of the school and sports are not really an important factor
-Rural, Suburban, and Cities are all fine</p>
<p>EC's are nothing special. Member of International Club, Member of Key Club, Member of Academy of Science,Program Director of Social Studies Forum, and volunteer at a local hospital. I was thinking about Penn State but I thought I might not be able to get into the main campus.</p>
<p>First of all, can you write a heckuva an essay? That can help. Something compelling. If you have an average gpa but your grades improved the last two years, then highlight that fact. Also, how many AP classes did you take?</p>
<p>I recommend James Madison University. Its a GORGEOUS setting, decent sports, VERY friendly campus (I am up there a LOT!) and a respected college. I know some great kids who go there and they love it. If you do well there, then you can go to a great graduate school like UVa or George Washington etc.</p>
<p>University of Maryland is also a great school, but you are likely a reach being out of state there. Its very competitive. </p>
<p>But UConn is a good school as well. Make sure you pick a school that is best for YOU to do well and be happy. A school where you can THRIVE academically and NOT be distracted by parties and such. Because proving yourself is very important in college. I know kids at UNC Chapel Hill, top 5% kids with 2000+ SAT scores who are struggling because of their party habits and goofing off.
Some of them would have been better off at a small school where there are not so many distractions and more peer pressure to study more.</p>
<p>IF you are going out of state, then the tuition differential between private and public almost evaporates. So consider some other choices as well.</p>
<p>"IF you are going out of state, then the tuition differential between private and public almost evaporates. So consider some other choices as well."</p>
<p>Won't you get in-state tuition after the first year?</p>
<p>Ohio University in Athens is a great school that you can get into no problem. Campus is fantastic, people are great, and the academics are solid. From what I hear it is the perfect blend of rural/city life and that it is as much West Virginian as Ohioan. And no, I have no affiliation with the school.</p>
<p>coolkid, I hope you listen to world changer: it is a misapprehension to think you'll get in-state tuition after first year out-of-state. Assuming you are your parents' dependent, they would have to establish legal residence in the new state for this to happen. And as a full-time student, you will definitely be considered a dependent unless there are some very unusual circumstances.</p>
<p>Stonybrook, and Rutgers are good options for you. If you want something smaller, and want instate, look into Ramapo. Have you looked at the majors offered at Cook? I really don't know how Rutgers works as far as majors and colleges any longer.</p>
<p>My son goes to JMU. It will be a bit of a reach, but a realistic reach for you. The thing is that it will cost about 5k more to go to JMU as an OOS student, than Rutger's instate (for tuition and R&B). Stonybrook OOS costs about 1500 more than Rutger's instate. These are approximate #s that you can check for yourself. I think that UConn is quite a bit more money OOS, and I think that it is more of a reach bc you are from NJ (they get a lot of NJ applicants). You might look into some private schools, depending upon your family's efc. Just editing to say that the price differences can widen. Rutger's had an 8% increase in tuition, I believe, last year for instate students. JMU also increased tuiton. The difference in sticker price between instate and OOS widened more from last year to this year between Rutger's instate and JMU OOS (gap I think was 3500 last year, and it is $5000 this year).</p>
<p>Are you interested in marine biology? If so, look at URI, and UNC-Wilmington. I know NC is far, but there is an airport a few minutes from the school. I did not look up costs.</p>
<p>I think your grades and SAT's may be a bit low for Stony Brook- I think U of Albany and U of Buffalo may be somewhat easier to get into . But a 3.2 (85 average??) may keep you out of the running at the SUNY University Centers. You may want to check out the Suny colleges like Cortland, Oneonta, Brockport (etc), you may have a better shot at the SUNY colleges. My d is a soph at SUNY Cortland. I think SUNY does want more OOS kids, so you may have a better chance at these schools than a NY kid with those stats.
I'd second Temple too.
BTW- Suny OOS tuition is around $11,000-</p>