Feedback on these colleges

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a mediocre junior student just from the Bay Area, SF, CA. I've made topics about my lists of intended colleges to go to and I find myself changing it on a timely basis. So far, I've learned that prestige is not everything - the first time I came to CC, I was looking at JHU, Emory, WashU, Cornell, Columbia, Tufts etc. Now I feel like it doesn't matter anymore.</p>

<p>At this point, I am looking at these colleges (with a gist of what I know):
Rice University - This is my dream school. Meet 100% need. Not only they have a kinesiology department, but houston is an appealing city with its diversity. I've also heard about the friendliness of its campus.
Northeastern University - I'm surely going to apply to this one because of Kinesiology, specifically Athletic Training, co-op rotations. I'd really love a hands-on experience in an urban location. Also have a swim club that I'm intending to join if I get admitted here.
Boston University - Even with no campus, I'm applying here because the university seems interesting. Besides, Boston is a great college town, and even if I consider other schools from this city, both BU and NEU just appeal and seems to fit me.
Elon University - One of the "Best Values" I've heard so far. I've heard of its strong music programs and its many exercise science & kinesiology opportunities.
UC Santa Cruz - Overall, I love the whole campus feel. I had a laid-back atmosphere from every visits I did. So far, I'm surely going to apply to this school.
Pomona College & Trinity College - Pomona is a financial reach. However, both meets 100% need. So far, I'm digging through on the information and impressions of other students about these 2 colleges. Of course, I'm going to take it as a grain of salt.
Occidental College - I'm considering this one because its one of the colleges that have a kinesiology department in california.</p>

<p>I'm going to take a summer program at Boston University, so I can visit both BU and NEU and maybe some other colleges around the area. Would obviously help in my college search process. I would also like to expose myself to Pomona college before spring break starts. I would love to see the feel of the campus.</p>

<p>Background:
I'm from a poor, very non-competitive suburban public school. I want to set my goals high enough so I can distinguish myself from my peers. I notice that most of my classmates seclude themselves to applying to UCs and CSUs and that's it. If they're not admitted, they might as well go to Community College around the area. But I don't want to follow my peers. I'd like new experiences and new opportunities to meet new people. Which is why most of these colleges on my list are unheard of from all of the student body. Even my GC hasn't heard of Pomona yet, and I feel like it really is a good school.</p>

<p>Anyways I know stats do not define a person but here it is:
Asian (Filipino) - I'm not sure if this is considered a URM.
I'm in a low income family < $30k
I'm currently a junior with a 3.88 W(?) GPA. I took the Jan 28 SAT and had no prep on it and I pretty much sucks at taking timed tests: so here's horrible scores: CR 480 M 590 V 540 -> 1510/2400. Ugh. Yeah hoping to get at least in the range of 1800-2000 on May/June SATs. I'm taking the most rigorous course at my highschool. Currently in 2 APs this year and minimum of 3 next year.</p>

<p>EC (to the present - 11th grade for now):
Student Government - Class VP (9th) and Pres (10th), ASB Secretary (11th)
Gate - 10,11
CSF - 10, 11
Swim Team - 10, 11 (team captain)
GSA - just started this year and I joined to support them - 11</p>

<p>Others:
- I'm a dance class this year which pretty much puts me in a Dance club and performed at "Mission Fusion" where I danced various dances and mixed and choreographed some pieces.
- Community Service is not consistent because of time problems. I did involve myself at volunteering in a hospital last summer. Community Services include oppirtunities for beach clean up, zoo clean up, take part on fundraising for library books.
- Went UC Berkeley's ATDP program and took a college prep course - Philosophy. Got an A on that.</p>

<p>So obviously I'm on the lower end (or even lower) on most of student's stats here in CC. But I know I don't need to lose hope because I have a chance. Yes I'm hoping to improve my SAT scores. So anyways, does anyone have any feedback on the colleges above. Comments and suggestions would be helpful as well.</p>

<p>Thank you,
Andrew</p>

2

<p>Pomona and Rice are huge reaches for you right now. Occidental is a reach. Boston U and Elon are reachy matches. Get those scores into the range you suggested, and your chances will improve considerably. Your ec's are a bit weak, but I think the dance team could be an excellent ec if you developed it well in your application. I think you've done very well considering the school you're coming from. </p>

<p>I would also check out Michigan, Ithaca, Baylor, and U Conn</p>

3

<p>if you can get over the 2000, id definitely consider Tufts, Columbia and the like.</p>

<p>make sure that on your app you put filipino instead of just asian</p>

4

<p>Rice and Occidental sound like great fits for you. I think being low income can be considered a "hook". I applied ED to Rice, so obviously it is my dream school too. It is perfect for me and very friendly. I liked Pomona a lot also, but it doesn't have kineisology, so if you are set on that major, I would go with Oxy instead. I would work on your SAT scores by buying College Board's 10 real SAT book. I think that is your biggest obstacle at this point. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Sorry bub, Filipinos aren't URM. They're one of the Asian populations with a higher college attainment rate.</p>

6

<p>"Oxy" is a hippie's paradise and the most pervasively liberal school I have been to. Apparently their science program is top-notch (my best friend is a math/physics major there) and though it is small, the school is well-rounded. It's a few minutes north of downtown LA. From what I have seen/heard, Oxy is up-and-coming - they're definitely on the rise.</p>

7

<p>since your SAT is pretty low, you might want to consider taking the ACT instead. And what is your unweighted GPA?</p>

8

<p>That's true squiggle.</p>

<p>Weeding, if you have any questions about improving your SAT, feel free to IM me. </p>

<p>Filipinos unite, right? :-p</p>

9

<p>weedingout:</p>

<p>UCSC: Match</p>

10

<p>What's your safety? With a 1510, you're in the dog house without a safety. I want you to consider somemore of the publics in California aswell, not us the UCs. You have fine selections, I could see you enjoying all of them. </p>

<p>I'll will be honsest though and say that in no way do I see Rice or Pomona happening, but it's good to try at atleast one dream school.</p>

<p>Also, which Trinity College are you looking at?</p>

11

<p>I never researched BU. What do you mean "even with no campus"? There <em>has</em> to be a campus!</p>

12

<p>Thank you everyone for your honest comments and suggestions. I'm currently in a process of considering other colleges (again! but hey, I'm having fun!) as well. Pretty much my low SAT scores is going to drag me down. I'm hoping to self study for the may/june SAT and probably have a friend or two to work with.</p>

<p>At this point, even if Rice and Pomona is out of my hand, it doesn't hurt to apply ^_^. But yes, i'd be nice if I get accepted to Rice. </p>

<p>I was really surprise at the amount of positives about Oxy. I heard about it in the past, but never really considered it until now. Thank you for the information everyone. I'll surely look into Oxy :). Oh yeah, austinj, pretty much BU has no campus feel, it is right along a street. But it has its positives.</p>

<p>Thank you cre8tive1 for your advice. I was surprise that you mention that since I was currently considering CSU Long Beach for at least a public school that is a match/safety. Since I'm surely going to apply to UC SC, I could add Davis and Irvine to the single UC application. The latter universities may contradict my criterias - location wise and academic interest wise, but I have respect for both Davis and Irvine. When I visited Davis, it was alright and I liked it.</p>

<ul>
<li>As far as california colleges go, Pitzer College and Chapman University may be a nice addition for an okay financial stability. </li>
<li>I'm considering Skidmore as well in NY, but I'm still getting more information about that. </li>
<li>There's Willamette U in Oregon I'd like to know about. Seems like a safety?</li>
</ul>

<p>As for your question, cre8tive1, I'm looking at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. I'm going to be honest to all of you, but I picked Trinity because it is part of Questbridge and would like to have a match/reachy school (some chance of admission at least) that would give me 100% financial need (or at almost). This also applies to pomona and rice, but the difference is, (obviously) Rice is my dream school, and for pomona - the college consortium. I guess you guys could probably say that I have Trinity College for the wrong reasons?</p>

<p>I appreciate everyone for you replies. It seems that at this point, I know which colleges that I would like to apply and the possible admission results. However, there are some that I'm still unsure about, particularly Pitzer (baggage? good FA though), Chapman & Willamette (both are religious affiliated?), Skidmore (might fit me?), Trinity (...not really sure my intentions on this one). Any comments are welcome.</p>

<p>Thank you so much everyone!</p>

13

<p>I'll probably let you guys know my UW GPA when I get a hold of it and thank you for letting me know about ACT. I almost forgot about that....</p>

14

<p>Occidental is NOT a hippie school. Lewis and Clark is a hippie school, Oberlin is a is a hippie school. I went to a politics class at Oxy and there were more obvious conservatives in that class than any politics class I went to at Scripps, University of Puget Sound or Whitman. I'm not saying it was conservative, but come on! It's a California college. Not only is California a mostly liberal state, but college students are historically the most liberal segment of the population. Furthermore, the more educated one is, the more likely it is that that person is liberal. Blame the educational system, say that it's smarter to be a liberal. Whatever. That is the way things are. By the way, I think Occidental seems like a reasonable school for you.</p>

15

<p>Well that, but the thing is Trinity College does not have Sports Medicine or Athletic Training in the least bit. I'd had this issue with my friend who is looking to study sports medicine in New England, if you want a top sports med program up here, you'd look at UConn, BU, and Northeastern...Trinity is a great school but it is not what you're looking for. Do you have anything in mind, any reason why you would want to go to Trinity besides Questbridge?</p>

<p>If that were the case, I would choose Bowdoin, which is atleast very strong in the physical sciences...but for physical sciences, especially anything approaching kiniseology, Trinity is not it.</p>

16

<p>and Bowdoin also doesn't require SATs...definitely check that out</p>

17

<p>You actually have a 1610, not a 1510.</p>

<p>As for the SAT's, I'd say practice taking these tests, once you get used to the lack of time you have, then I'd say your score will greatly improve.
If you bring your score up to around to the range you want & you keep getting good grades in school, all your schools will become Matches with the exceptions of Rice & Pomona (which are Reaches for just about everybody).</p>

<p>Good luck, :)</p>

<p>Also nice job with opening up to other colleges besides those in California. :)</p>

18

<p>If rice is your dream school, I would apply ED or if you plan on comparing financial packages, ID. I do know that Rice would meet your financial need with grants and work study, no loans for <30 K!</p>

<p>Also, Rice really likes people who are interested in their school, so get a contact there, and use it. I just got back from Vision at Rice, and i think one of the reasons I was invited and accepted ID was because I showed interested. A student had called me, my fav teacher was alumni, college presentations, etc.(They are trying to get more more who are accepted to enroll.)</p>

<p>As far as SAT scores go, try to raise them as much as possible, (without spending all your time studying) but realize Rice does look at more than just test scores. Right now if you go to the Rice board there are plenty of people with 700-800s who were deferred or rejected.</p>

19

<p>With your test scores, I'd say that Willamette is a match, not a safety. Btw, do you go to Riordan? You don't have to answer that. Anyway, if you're considering Willamette, I'd suggest Lewis and Clark and University of Puget Sound too. Lewis and Clark is beautiful and Portland is better than Salem. UPS is another similar school, less hippie than Lewis and Clark and in Tacoma, which isn't Seattle or Portland but is close to Seattle. My mom and I went to a presentation with these colleges plus Whitman and Reed. We visited all of them except Willamette (because it has a more conservative reputation,) and Reed (because I couldn't get in.) Willamette has a political orientation (a little conservative for a college) and is across from the state capital building. Lewis and Clark is big on diversity (a plus for you as a fillipino) and International Affairs. Puget Sound must be focused on something I don't care about because I don't remember what its oriented to, but I visited and it was a very nice campus, (not half as pretty as L&C though) the class i went to was excellent and the students were impressive. They have a really good
(funny) student newspaper .It's more of a traditional atmosphere with frats and sororities.
All of these schools are small liberal arts. Puget Sound has 2,600 and is slightly bigger.</p>

20

<p>^^
i just noticed he was a bay-area person as well! that would be awesome if you went to riordan. rep the catholic education!</p>