Hi! I am currently a high school senior and I just wanted to finalize my college list. What colleges would be a “safety” and “match” for me if I have a 3.5 UW (and unfortunately a downwards trend in junior year due to family) and a 1550 new SAT (750 CR / 800 M / 8 essay)? I am looking for colleges that would be a match solely on statistics. (I know colleges take ECs, essays, and LoR into consideration).
Thank you very much and have a lovely day! 
(I have already applied to some UC’s, Cal State schools, and UW)
What is your budget? Are you looking for need-based and/or merit aid? Do you want to stay in California/West coast?
Intended major? Which UC’s and Cal States did you apply?
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1550 new SAT (750 CR / 800 M
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Lol…you’re not an average student.
Are you looking for a financial safety or do you know FOR SURE that you have all costs covered for a couple of schools that you know will accept you???
In all honesty, your SAT score is 5x more impressive than your GPA. That is definitely going to be a major plus. I think depending on your EC’s, you could probably apply to Cal state Fullerton or Long Beach as safeties, or UCR, UCSB, UCSC, or UCM as safeties in CA schools. What are your EC’s? Also, almost all colleges ask for personal statements and if you’re weaker on writing, I think your best bet is the Cal States and UCR. Not sure about the others though. Good luck!
@Gumbymom I will need a lot of need-based aid so schools that meet 100% need are preferable. I would like merit aid but I do not think I will qualify for any 
Location: anywhere
Intended major: unsure but looking towards Aerospace engineer, physics, or computer science (and possibly English minor)
UC: Berkeley, LA, SB, SD, and Irvine
Cal: SLO, Pomona, SDSU, Fullerton
@mom2collegekids lol thanks for the encouragement…I am below average at my high school/:
I am looking for more out-of-state schools to apply to because I am not very sure what I want to do or where I want to go. I guess I just want more options and sense of security because I had a major downfall in my junior year that I am scared will get me rejected. (my circumstances did not involve death or medical issues of anyone). My mom wants to push towards more “prestigious” schools so that’s also a factor.
@fearforthefuture Thanks for the help! And LOL your username… ^:)^ it’s too true
Is your EFC $0? Regarding prestige, other than Stanford and Cal Tech for California schools, UCB and UCLA are pretty prestigious. If you need that much aid, how will you cover the costs of transportation from an OOS school? Many schools can be generous with financial aid, but they are not going to pay for incidentals such as personal expenses and transportation. Also the schools that will give you great FA, will also have an issue with your UW GPA so unless you have a compelling reason for your declining GPA Junior year, in-state schools might be your best option.
Hopefully some more knowledgeable posters with a better handle on FA, could chime in with some suggestions. Personally you cannot go wrong with any of the UC’s or Cal States on your list. Remember that the school you attend as an Undergrad will not define you.
What is your FAFSA EFC?
What is your household income?
Do you have a Non Custodial Parent?
My FAFSA EFC is $0 but the IM one is around $2k (kind of unsure what this means, but will research it later today)
@Gumbymom I will probably get a job second semester and during the summer to deal with personal expenses. Thank you very much for your optimism. I’m trying not to let the idea of prestige define me, and just really want to work hard in college to get into an awesome grad school or job
@mom2collegekids My total income is <$45k but my AGI is <$20k. I do not have a non custodial parent.
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My total income is <$45k but my AGI is <$20k. I do not have a non custodial parent.
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That seems like a big drop. Does one of your parents have a business?
Consider CTCL schools.
With your strong SAT scores, I am guessing that your weighted GPA is much higher. For many colleges, merit scholarships are awarded based on the highest GPA on the HS transcript. What is your weighted GPA?
What was your UC GPA?
“1550 SAT… Average student.”
How is this at all average???
@mom2collegekids
we get SSI due to my brother having autism.
@siliconvalleymom
My weighted gpa is 3.88 but my UC gpa is only 3.3/:
OP, you indicated aerospace engineering as an interest. At University of Alabama-Huntsville, your 3.88 weighted GPA and 1550 SAT will qualify you for automatic full tuition. The campus is near Redstone Arsenal, with many, many internship and co-op opportunities, and it is a well-respected campus in the aerospace field. They have additional scholarships you can apply for upon acceptance, and they will stack with your full tuition offer. The application is quick and easy, and the scholarship app isn’t even so bad. One application is used for all scholarships they offer! My D2 has visited and was very impressed with the program.
University of Alabama will also award full tuition to anyone with a 3.5 GPA or higher (weighted counts) and your SAT score. They have a good engineering program in general, if you don’t want to confine yourself to aerospace, and they offer an extra $2,500 per year to engineering majors who are awarded scholarships. There are many unique programs at UA. Again, the application is simple and quick to complete.
I’d strongly encourage you to apply to both. Good luck!
http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out-of-state.php
I will second NerdMom88. Your terrific (and definitely not average) scores with your 3.88 weighted GPA will qualify you for Alabama’s best scholarship for OOS students. You need to file your application by December 15.
@NerdMom88 @siliconvalleymom
Thank you for your help and suggestions! I will definitely consider applying to UA