Confused, average B, senior looking for a good college.

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm going to be a senior this upcoming school year and I'm panicking because I still don't have a complete college list since I'm lost and confused in finding colleges that will fit my stats. My SAT scores are low but I'm working on it. I don't feel confident in my college list because I think I'm not good enough. </p>

<p>Me:
-GPA: 3.2 UW
-SAT: 1590 (will def. retake in fall to raise my score up to 1800+), ACT: 23 (most likely not going to retake since I'm focusing on SATs)
-Ethnicity: Asian Female
-Location: Ohio in a suburb off of Columbus</p>

<h2>-School: Public HS</h2>

<p>Majors that I have in mind:
-Environmental Studies
-international business
(I'm still figuring it out..)</p>

<p>What I'm looking for in a college:
-Location: preferably a city but a suburb not too far from a city is okay.
-Size: Medium size 5,000-15,000 (not a big fan of small liberal arts colleges nor large state schools)
-Preferably private colleges/universities
-Preferably out of state
-Non-religious affiliated
-Good financial aid
-Good scholarship (my GPA is so low so idk if any colleges will offer me any..)
-No greek life or must be non active
-Not a fan of party/alcoholic schools
-Diversity (I'm from a suburb were 90% of the population are Caucasian. I would love to see diversity!)
-Safe, liberal environment
-Nice campus/dorms
-Good libraries
-Study abroad program (i would like to study abroad some time in my college career)</p>

<p>Are there any colleges at my level that have that "ivy" architecture look? I really like that classic-gothic look. </p>

<hr>

<p>My list so far...</p>

<p>Safe school:
-OSU</p>

<p>**Most public state schools in Ohio kind of suck.. They're known for parties and greek life which is what I hate the most.</p>

<p>Reach:
-USC
-Occidental</p>

<p>Match (i think):
-Clark University
-University of Puget Sound
-Denison University
-Itaca College
-Case western
-Butler University
-Drexal University
-James Madison University</p>

<p>I have some colleges on my list just b.c they're free apps. I mean it won't hurt if I give them a try... I'm still in the process of eliminating/researching further into the colleges on my list. I also need more safe schools (any suggestions?). I haven't really "fell in love" with any colleges on my list and I'm a little worried. I am still finding for a college that will offer scholarships for my GPA range. I will be open to any suggestions (doesn't really necessary have to find in my criteria) :)</p>

<p>Thank you guys for reading my long post. I will definitely appreciate the help! :)</p>

2

<p>mmm
you do realize that occidental (and possibily clark and puget sound) is a “small” liberal arts college with around 2000 students right?
I am not familiar with most of the schools on your list, but case western is definitely not know for ES/business.</p>

3

<p>The financial aid part will be the biggest issue. Without high stats it’s hard because the schools that meet need are mostly top ones and for merit aid you need to have high stats for the school.</p>

<p>Have you calculated your EFC and asked your parents what they can afford?</p>

4

<p>"My list so far…</p>

<p>Safe school:
-OSU</p>

<p>**Most public state schools in Ohio kind of suck… They’re known for parties and greek life which is what I hate the most."</p>

<p>I am sorry to inform you that your GPA, ACT/SAT scores are way below Ohio State’s incoming freshman average, therefore, I do have doubts that you will be admitted to Ohio State’s main campus in Columbus (perhaps you can try other regional campuses if not LACs)… FYI, there are well over 1,000 student organizations at tOSU, most do not involve partying and greek life (says ex-Ohio State ‘Asian’ student club(s) President). G’Luck! :)</p>

<h2>Profile of the admitted freshman class of 2010 </h2>

<p>College preparatory curriculum requirements exceeded: </p>

<p>•99% exceeded minimums in social sciences
•98% exceeded minimums in natural science
•94% exceeded minimums in math
•89% exceeded the minimum in a foreign language
What are the college prep requirements? </p>

<p>High school class rank: </p>

<p>•90% ranked in the top quarter of their graduating classes
•54% ranked in the top 10% of their graduating classes
Test scores:</p>

<p>•ACT composite score range, middle 50%: 26 – 30
(2009 national average = 21)
•SAT score range (Critical Reading and Math only), middle 50%: 1170 – 1430
(2009 national average = 1016)</p>

<p>Source: <a href=“http://undergrad.osu.edu/domesticfreshman.html[/url]”>http://undergrad.osu.edu/domesticfreshman.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>I don’t think OSU is a safe school either. Some of the matches might be reaches also. These schools don’t meet all of your requirements but they might be worth a look: Goucher (MD) and Drew (NJ). Both are SAT optional also. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>“-Good financial aid”</p>

<p>You need to sit down with your parents and run the EFC calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and at [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board) Once you find out what your EFC is likely to be, you and your parents need to talk about where exactly the money is going to come from. Can your family meet your EFC? If so, how much more than that are they willing to pay? If your family can’t meet your EFC, how much can you come up with each year? Until you know what your financial situation is like, there really isn’t much point in worrying about which colleges and universities should be on your list.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the replies everyone.</p>

<p>zala2022 - I do know that occidental is a small liberal arts college but there’s something about this school that caught my interest…</p>

<p>Sparkeye7 - thanks for your input. I plan on applying to OSU on rolling admissions so hopefully I will get in. I didn’t realize that my GPA was below OSU’s standards since previous seniors in my school got in with a 2.7. I guess OSU gets more competitive every year. I do know that OSU has so many things to do since it is a big school after all.</p>

<p>Redroses, happymomof1 - I haven’t exactly asked my parents yet since I don’t have an organized list. I am going to discuss with them this coming weekend.</p>

<p>The only thing that’s holding me back from trying LACs is the small size. I’m trying to find a decent LAC that has more than 1k students.</p>

<p>Most of you have doubts of OSU as my safety, so are there any colleges that I can confidently consider as a safety? Any colleges that might be a match?</p>

8

<p>Sparkeye7 - since you were (or are) a student at OSU I’m assuming that you know a little about their campuses. Which is the best (besides columbus): lima, mansfield, marion, newarkd, ATI wooster?</p>

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<p>Ohio State does not publish incoming freshman ave. GPA; however, it is generally believed to be in between 3.4~3.8 range for the mid-50% pending on ones ACT/SAT scores. Even though there are always exceptions, it is certainly not uncommon to see applicants with a 3.5 GPA and ACT of 28 to be rejected these days. </p>

<p>From our sub-forum here on CC: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ohio-state-university-columbus/811640-admissions-decisions.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ohio-state-university-columbus/811640-admissions-decisions.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I recieved my B.S. degree ~8 years ago and never attended nor visited other tOSU campuses besides Columbus. However, the word on the street is that Newark (largest student body) > Marion > Mansfield = Lima > ATI in terms of quality & experience. </p>

<p>Official Regional Campuses website:
[Regional</a> Campus](<a href=“http://undergrad.osu.edu/regionaladmissions.html]Regional”>http://undergrad.osu.edu/regionaladmissions.html)
Related article:
[OSU</a> regional campuses’ lower costs, small size draw students | The Columbus Dispatch](<a href=“http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/26/at-osu-but-not-columbus.html]OSU”>http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/26/at-osu-but-not-columbus.html)
Newark campus panorama:
<a href=“http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs297.snc3/28508_121370097886873_111222785568271_215749_4462939_n.jpg[/url]”>http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs297.snc3/28508_121370097886873_111222785568271_215749_4462939_n.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>FYI, there are also facebook groups that you may join regarding to these campuses if you need more insights. Such as this one:</p>

<p><a href=“Redirecting...”>Redirecting...;

<p>Lastly, your safety for Ohio public universities are schools Ohio University, BGSU, Toledo, Cincinnati, Dayton, Wright State, Youngstown…,etc. imho. You may also want to try Miami-Oxford U. as a possible match, even though it’s incoming freshman stats are only slightly lower than that of tOSU’s Columbus campus. </p>

<p>Apply early!! Best of Luck! :)</p>

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<p>To chime in with other posters, most of your matches are reaches and most will not offer much FA. And I will flat out disagree with you about OH state schools. They each have a sweet spot for which they are known. One example: Wright State has an excellent music theater program. Maybe look at U Dayton.

Most schools have some greek life but it’s up to you whether you participate.</p>

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<p>First: GET OFF OF CC. This place is really just a place for narcissists to argue about which Ivy is better or whine about getting into Vandy or Duke.</p>

<p>Second: Get Petersens or Barron’s Directory. There are over 2,000 colleges in those books and MANY of them will be delighted to accept you.</p>

<p>Life is not about getting into a prestigious highly ranked college. Its about YOU finding a perfect fit for your personality, strengths and helping you find yourself and become a productive adult and model citizen. </p>

<p>Stay away from USNWR and all that garbage. Stay away from prestige hounds here and at your school. Focus on YOU, YOUR STRENGTHS and what you really want in a college experience. </p>

<p>Private or public? I know a LOT of private colleges that will give you scholarship money for a gpa above 3.0. They are wonderful schools that are nurturing, warm, endearing and will help you develop into a great success in life! </p>

<p>From your existing list, Denison and JMU, Drexel, Butler, Ithaca are good choices. But look in the same regions as those schools in the Barrons or Petersen’s Directory and find LOTS of wonderful schools. </p>

<p>Make a list of 20 schools. Get it down to 12 for applying, by searching on the web and checking them out fully, or asking guidance counselors or teachers, friends and such. Just asking doesnt mean they know everything, but its a start. Look for yourself. </p>

<p>Some kids want a big state school with sports. Some kids want a small school that is warm and supportive which might be Division III in sports. There is no wrong answer. Only the answer that YOU find.</p>

<p>UPS in Tacoma, by the way is very prestigious and hard to get into. Not a problem trying, but just be warned its highly selective.</p>

<p>I am not a huge Ohio State fan. Just too darn big. But that is me and I am not you. </p>

<p>Good luck. (And get off of CC. Its not for people like you. It will only get you upset and angry and frustrated. ))</p>

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<p>^ “CC is not for people like you” sounds a little cruel, don’t you think?</p>

<p>I’m a B+ student also looking for colleges. Anyway I like your suggestion about getting a college directory. I’m finding it hard discover colleges that fit me because as a 1st gen american asian, I’ve only heard of the large schools. Hey viasarah I’m asian too! =p</p>

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<p>Thank GOD. Not another ****ing A+ 2400 SAT 36 ACT 1000 EC hours insane perfectionist student posting things like: OMG, I HAVE A 2390, HARVARD HATES ME!</p>

<p>Bless you!</p>

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<p>ghostbuster-thats rude. Im not exactly a smarty pants either but there’s TONS of things that I’ve learned on CC that I never would have known otherwise, so the OP should keep searching through forums.</p>

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<p>There are many colleges that will accept a B student just as there are schools for the C student.</p>

<p>OP I think you would get more suggestions if you let people know how much you parents can pay and then pick your top 2 or 3 requirements. Your “want list” is pretty daunting. I know of schools that would give you some merit money but they lack other things on your list. Knowing how much you can pay, how far away you can afford to travel from Ohio and then your top non-negotiable requirements would be helpful.</p>

<p>In case you weren’t aware there are some threads on the parent forum geared toward the 3.0-3.3 student. If you haven’t already check them out for ideas.</p>

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<p>upitt. might be a bit of a reach, but definitely what you’re looking for. indiana u might be a match.</p>

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<p>I’m a U of Dayton grad and unfortunately that school’s avg. incoming GPA is now closer to a reach school too. </p>

<p>Maybe at least keep your mind open a bit to looking at some OH schools. Hiram would be closer to your GPA and also look at Wittenberg (though think that schools gpa is rising too).</p>

<p>I live in VA now and actually my 10th grade daugther has about the same gpa as you. Take a prep if you are able to get that goal of an 1800 on SAT -it will definitely give you more options. She wants a small liberal arts too that leans very liberal. She’s looking at Goucher in MD, Gilford in NC, and her reach is Wooster in OH. All are very nice campuses. If you can get that SAT up, look at Earlham IN too.</p>

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<p>One more! Knox in IL, Think the architecture is what you are looking for :)</p>

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<p>student posted in August of last year…
assuming process is winding down, to the OP: where are you attending next year?</p>