<p>I'm a HS junior and looking for good safety schools. Right now I have a lot of reaches and matches like Emory, USC, GWU, etc. What are some good safety schools with a 3.2 GPA from a prep school and a ~1300 SAT? I'm looking for mid-large colleges in an urban or suburban area that have solid programs in everything since I could see myself changing my major a couple times. I also want an active student body with hot girls and lots of opportunities for club sports. thanks.</p>
<p>All I can offer is experience of son, who has almost identical stats (29ACT(translates to 1300 SAT i think), 3.1uw, 3.5w, PA resident): admit to (in business): ithaca, loyola MD, hofstra, univ of vermont, uconn storrs, fairfield, drexel
deferred and then admitted to Pitt, deferred so far to Northeastern, rejected Penn State, waiting on American, Delaware, Syracuse</p>
<p>^Good list posted above.</p>
<p>Also would include U Minnesota-Twin Cities, UMaryland-BC, U Detroit-Mercy, and U Cincinnati. Ohio U fits very well, too, especially if you raise that SAT to 1400 and get their top (and very large) scholarship!!!</p>
<p>First of all, let’s clarify: 1300 sat out of 1600, right?</p>
<p>anyways, you could look at a lot of big state schools, such as university of maryland college park, penn state, etc. none of them are safeties based on your GPA, but certainly aren’t out of reach.</p>
<p>1300 out of 1600 and 2000/2400. </p>
<p>I don’t really want to go to a public school out of state unless I could get a ton of merit money. I don’t think it’s worth it unless it’s schools like UVA, UCLA, etc., and I couldn’t get into schools like that.</p>
<p>I second UMBC. It pretty much matches everything you are looking for. Not far from Baltimore, Annapolis, or DC. They’re D1 and I know club sports are pretty bg.</p>
<p>Case Western Reserve University–In Cleveland, application online is free and if you submit by early action date you’ll have a decision in hand before Christmas.</p>
<p>Will your parents pay $55k/yr for the school of your choice? If not, then that will be an issue.</p>
<p>Is that your weighted GPA? You would have a better chance of getting some merit money if you could get your weighted GPA up to at least a 3.5. Work as hard as you can this semester to get a higher GPA. If you’re taking any AP’s, the weighted GPAs for those classes can boost a GPA.</p>
<p>Your current GPA is a downfall if that is your weighted and the best it will be…if you’ll need strong financial aid or merit.</p>
<p>I’m planning on getting need-based aid. I’m not counting on getting a lot, but my parents could afford about $20k/year, and I’m willing to take out a reasonable student loan. </p>
<p>That is my UW GPA. I have about a 3.7 W GPA for junior year so far, and second semester is already better than the first. Since junior year is supposedly the most important year, I’m hoping colleges will overlook my poor grades in the beginning of high school as long as I keep my upward trend.</p>
<p>Is your EFC significantly higher than the $20K your family is willing and able to spend? If so, then especially for safeties you probably should be focusing on in-state public schools, not private schools or OOS public schools costing $35K-$55K per year. If your EFC is in that range, then you’d need significant merit aid or else large loans to cover the gap. However, your GPA and scores may not be high enough to qualify for that level of merit aid at schools you’d prefer over your in-state public universities. </p>
<p>I may be missing something. Certainly, if schools like Emory or USC strongly appeal to you, then go ahead and apply. However, on the safety end of your list you really need to think about costs as well as admissions. Even if you could get the loans, you should think about whether it’s worth racking up $75K or more in debt to go OOS or private, when a decent public school may be available at a cost your family can cover.</p>
<p>As I said before, I’m not really interested in attended a public school OOS. I have excellent instate options, so it’s not the end of the world if I don’t get into my reach schools. I just rather attend a private school with good financial aid where I know I’d be happier.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids, I thought merit aid was based on UW GPA? Weighting mechanisms vary so drastically by school system that I didn’t think anyone really used W GPA.</p>
<p>How are we supposed to know what is in-state for you? What state do you live in?</p>
<p>Yeah honestly without any information, there are hundreds of colleges that much your criteria. What area geographically are you looking to go?</p>
<p>mom2collegekids, I thought merit aid was based on UW GPA? Weighting mechanisms vary so drastically by school system that I didn’t think anyone really used W GPA.</p>
<p>There is no set rule. My kids’ college uses weighted GPA for scholarship consideration. However, my kids’ school won’t superscore like some schools do.</p>
<p>*I’m planning on getting need-based aid. I’m not counting on getting a lot, but my parents could afford about $20k/year, and I’m willing to take out a reasonable student loan.</p>
<p>That is my UW GPA. I have about a 3.7 W GPA for junior year so far, and second semester is already better than the first. *</p>
<p>Financial aid isn’t based on what your family thinks it can pay. Your parents’ EFC may be a lot higher than $20k per year. So, that would be a problem</p>
<p>You need to find out what your family’s EFC is…
[FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml)</p>
<p>frugola quote:: All I can offer is experience of son, who has almost identical stats (29ACT(translates to 1300 SAT i think), 3.1uw, 3.5w, PA resident): admit to (in business): ithaca, loyola MD, hofstra, univ of vermont, uconn storrs, fairfield, drexel
deferred and then admitted to Pitt, deferred so far to Northeastern, rejected Penn State, waiting on American, Delaware, Syracuse</p>
<p>frugola, what is your EFC and what kind of FA packages did your child get from these schools?</p>
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<p>California, New England, NY, and DC. Really anywhere in an urban or quick access to an urban area. I really like Emory because it’s in Atlanta, but I don’t think there are any other schools in the area that would suit me. I’ve lived in the midwest most of life, so I’d like to go to college somewhere else. I would also prefer a warm climate but it’s not necessary.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids, I’m aware of how financial works at colleges. I’m upper middle class so it’s kinda tricky for me, and I’m in a unique situation which I don’t feel like talking about on the internet. I’m just saying that, comfortably, my parents could pay about $20k per year, but if I’m not awarded enough financial aid, I have several other options such as grandparents, student loans, etc.</p>
<p>I’m aware of how financial works at colleges. I’m upper middle class so it’s kinda tricky for me, and I’m in a unique situation which I don’t feel like talking about on the internet. I’m just saying that, comfortably, my parents could pay about $20k per year, but if I’m not awarded enough financial aid, I have several other options such as grandparents, student loans, etc.</p>
<p>Well, then since you understand how FA works, I’m glad to hear that you have options like grandparents and student loans to pay for your education.</p>
<p>^Don’t put undue financial strain on your family, especially in these hard times.</p>
<p>Get your GPA to a 3.8 and ACT to 30, and IU-Bloomington’s price will be on par with your State U. It’s warm (but still has seasons), spirited, the campus is the most beautful of the Big 10 and possibly the most beautful in the nation, and it’s different with much diversity. Give it a shot :)</p>
<p>In-state schools are your best bet. What state do you live in?</p>