Hi, I’ve already made a post similar to this, but this is more specific now that I have a better idea of what schools I would like to attend.
I’m not that picky when it comes to “campus type” I like campuses that are pretty nature and building wise. I like small class sizes and friendly people. A good school spirit would be preferred but like I said I can’t afford to be too picky. I would really rather stay away from religious preference though.
I plan to major in Geology/Earth Science so I’ve tried to pick colleges with that particular major. I need to narrow down my list and maybe add some more colleges that would better suit my stats and acedemic path.
As for money concerns my parents won’t do a Net Price calc at the moment (I don’t know why they’re refusing to) so my plan for now is to apply and if it does not work out then ill just go to a safety school (:
The colleges I have chosen so far are:
Reach:
Rice
U of South California (USC)
Tulane
Stanford ( not really expecting to get in )
Brown ( I love the school, but mainly applying becuase my cousin with literally the same stats as me got an acceptance last year)
Northeastern
University of Miami
UWash in St. Louis
Safties:
Louisiana State University
LA Tech (already applied)
The only problem with my safeties is that they don’t have an actual geology/earth science major. None of the public and easier to get in schools here have a Geology Program ):
I live in Louisiana and I am an African American Female.
I have a 32 on the ACT and will be taking the SAT this October
My unwGPA is a 4.0
Im in a ton of clubs but the main ones are Interact (VP), Student Council (student body pres), Varsity CC (not doing my senior year), Varsity Tennis (the love of my life), Green Team, and I am the Stage Manager for the Theatre club for my senior year.
Is this a solid list of schools for me? Are there some recommendations of colleges I should get rid of or add? I guess this is just a really confusing time for me and it would really help me if I could have help forming a sold list! (:
How about Carleton? Geology is a strong major there. Also, you should take another shot at the NPCs – there is no point in wasting the money to send test scores, applications, and the CSS profile to schools that aren’t affordable. Your parents may not be familiar with the NPCs, and think that you need to apply to get an idea of what your cost would be.
Small schools with geology or earth science include New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Both a relatively lower cost for out-of-state public universities.
If you need even lower cost, some schools with automatic full tuition or full ride scholarships like Alabama and NC Central have geology or earth science. These can be more suitable safeties than schools that do not have your desired major.
If you are interested in more reaches and are considering small colleges, look at Amherst, Williams, Carleton and Hamilton. Colorado College is also strong in geoscience and might be easier to get into.
Sorry I don’t know how to quote! I have two sisters that have already graduated college. For whatever reason they just told me to apply where I wanted and then we would see about the money later. I have no idea why, but there’s no arguing with that decision. I will look into Indiana University Bloomington thank you! And with ULL I do not at all like their school ‘vibe’ but i will consider applying there since I now know that they have Geology. Ah in cases like these i really wish I were more intelligent so I could have a better chance of getting into Rice and USC! :-<
I agree with previous comments about the strong geology dept. at Carleton College. Maybe look into Ft. Lewis College (a state school) in Durango, Colo. — two of that school’s geology profs are former Carleton geology graduates, likely making that department a good option.
I just worry about the “apply now and worry about the money later” approach. Did they go to public or private colleges? Full-pay or with aid? Do you think you will need lots of aid or are your parents pretty well off?
I would be wary of putting too many out-of-state public universities on your final list: many public U’s reserve their best aid for in-state candidates. If you do not know what your parents can afford, your list should have mostly in-state tuition or private colleges known to be good with financial aid.
Should your current interests extend to actual geological features, these are some regional descriptions:
Amherst, Williams: Near the center of several Paleozoic orogenic events. Glacial features.
Carleton: Glacial and wind features. Natural exposed bedrock relatively rare, but not far from the Precambrian shield.
Hamilton: On exposed Paleozoic sedimentary sandstone/shale. Not far from complex Adirondack Precambrian metamorphic rocks. Glacial and hydrological features.
Colorado College: Naturally light vegetation exposes large scale folded rocks and faults.
Colgate: Near a Paleozoic transitional area that may include shales, sandstones and limestones.
Could be a risk of a big let down if all of your acceptances are too expensive. You may want to include some automatic full ride safeties with your major just in case.
The best place to start is with the Keck consortium colleges.
[ul][]Amherst
[]Beloit
[]Carleton
[]Colgate
[]Colorado College
[]Franklin & Marshall
[]Macalester
[]Mount Holyoke
[]Oberlin
[]Pomona
[]Smith
[]Trinity University
[]Union
[]Washington & Lee
[]Wesleyan
[]Whitman
[]Williams
[]Wooster[/ul]
I would add the following to the above list.
[ul][]Allegheny
[]Bowdoin
[]Bryn Mawr
[]Bucknell
[]Case Western
[]Colby
[]Dickinson
[]Earlham
[]Eckerd
[]Furman
[]Haverford
[]Juniata
[]Lafayette
[]Middlebury
[]Puget Sound
[]Sewanee
[li]Tulsa[/ul][/li]
Additionally, the [Academic Common Market](Academic Common Market - Southern Regional Education Board) can get you in-state tuition at other southern public universities if they offer a major not available in Louisiana (e.g. marine science or meteorology).
Your ACT score and GPA are quite good, and I think many public universities would be happy to at least waive the out-of-state tuition surcharge for you. Take a look at the College of Charleston, Clemson, UGA, FSU, Arizona, Ole Miss, and especially Alabama.
Thank you everyone for all of the information! I’m going to try my best at my Rice and USC applications but its good to know i have other colleges in my reach, also. The University of Mew Mexico seems really nice and their avg ACT is a 22 so I know I’ll be able to get in there Pomona is beautiful and I have always wanted to move to Cali but that seems like a SUPER reach school for me. Honestly don’t get me wrong but I’m a little scared to apply to Mississippi and Alabama because of the racial tension I’ve personally experienced there. I hope though that I am quirky and interesting enough to not have to rely on any safeties, though!
Note that University of New Mexico and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology are different schools. One is a large state flagship; the other is a small school with a heavy engineering focus, but a large presence in earth science and geology for a small school.
Can you talk to your siblings about the financial side of their college search? Some parents won’t run NPCs because their parents have no intention of paying for anything beyond the in state school. What else do your parents say about your search? Can you get one of your dibs to talk some sense into them regarding running NPCs?
)
Pomona is beautiful and I have always wanted to move to Cali but that seems like a SUPER reach school for me. Honestly don’t get me wrong but I’m a little scared to apply to Mississippi and Alabama because of the racial tension I’ve personally experienced there. I hope though that I am quirky and interesting enough to not have to rely on any safeties, though!