Hey so i kinda messed up academic wise the first few years of high school so my school choice is fairly limited. I figured that i would give it a shot at a few privates to widen my pool of colleges. Now my sophomore and junior gpa (My UC gpa) weighted is a 3.4 and unweighted like a 3.0ish. I kinda was ignorant when it came to college so i did not really try in high school (untl i realized how competitive college is and that i needed to). I ended up getting a 4.0 second semester of junior year and i currently have a 4.3 (with a B+, so potential for a 4.5) right now during my senior year. My first sat is a 1190 but i plan to retake it in December. So yah, my scores are shot and sadly, there is nothing i can do to fix that. So i am stuff applying to the lower UCs and a few states. So what are some privates that i can get into with those poor scores? Btw, i plan to major in bio or biochem (something of that nature) and i hope to eventually get into med school. So good pre-med schools? Also, how do people afford to attended private institutions? I am middle class so I am getting zero from fafsa and my scores are obviously not high enough for merit scholarships. Am i just out of luck if i do not belong to the low or high class? Also, preferably schools in California near LA, i do not even know how i plan to afford the school not to mentian out of state costs and living expenses. Thanks in advance
Since privates are the most expensive schools out there and you do not qualify for merit or need based aid, who is paying for it? Plus, not sure why you think privates will accept that gpa…You should be looking at state schools for affordability and a chance at getting in. As a side note, you will get more answers if you spend some time using capitalization, etc. Texting text is only socially acceptable on a phone, if that. Just trying to help…truly.
I would look at WUE schools with your stats, lots of good choices out of state.
@nick414: Considering everything in your post, have you thought about attending a 2 year college first?
Some LA area 2 year colleges have programs with intended pathways to transfer to UCLA (and perhaps other UCs) or USC, for students who take the opportunity to do very well academically while there. In this way, a 2 year college can offer a “late bloomer” another chance to gain admission to a well regarded university. You also do not need a higher SAT score for admission to a 2 year college. Besides, you will save a good deal of funds by attending a 2 year college first and give yourself some time to develop a financial plan for your 3rd and 4th undergraduate years and beyond. Finally, at the end of the day, remember that the university which grants you a B.A. or B.S. degree will matter in the long run and it won’t matter that you attended a 2 year college first to complete your general education/breadth requirements. Just some food for thought … best of luck to you.
I don’t know much about Whittier, but I believe they will listen to your story and factor it all in particularly if you are on an upswing. But you really need a financially viable plan.
Univ of Redlands and possibly the Univ of La Verne might be options but they are expensive. As pointed out in post #1 if you are concerned about finances, why are you considering private school? The Cal states are a bargain especially if you commute or as pointed out above, start at your local CC and transfer.
@nick414: Your finances matter a great deal, especially if you cannot count on substantial support from your family to cover all of your tuition, room & board, books, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Whatever you decide, do not take out student loans just for the sake of attending a private university in the LA area for all of your undergraduate years. Student loans should be a last resort, particularly if you think you’ll need to also finance a professional/graduate school degree on your own later on.
Since you seem interested in private universities in the LA area, take a look at these articles:
https://www.president.usc.edu/why-elite-universities-should-admit-more-community-college-grads/
While these articles focus on USC, they could easily apply to UCLA, UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach and any number of private universities in the LA area, including those mentioned above. Perhaps there is a social stigma for a student to attend a 2 year college in your circle, but again, at the end of the day, remember that the university which grants you a B.A. or B.S. degree will matter in the long run and it won’t matter that you attended a 2 year college first to complete your general education/breadth requirements. More food for thought … best of luck to you.