Help choosing a college that I CAN get into???

State Forums
1

<p>Hello, I am a junior in high school currently and really starting to get serious about looking for colleges.I live and Maryland and I currently go to a very good PRIVATE COLLEGE PREP CATHOLIC SCHOOL. We are well known throughout the state and have good academics. My cumulative GPA for freshman and sophomore year is 2.74 ( I really didn't try to my best ability). In Junior year thus far, I have about a 3.3 GPA for this year only (Not cumulative). I played 2 sports sophomore year and have I am in 2 clubs. I have yet to take the SAT but hope to get anywhere from 1600-1800. I also have had numerous jobs to keep me busy. COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS NOT AN OPTION.</p>

<p>I am looking for a college in Southern California (LA Area). Since I will be living on campus at least freshman year I would prefer for it not to be a commuter campus. </p>

<p>Here is my list of preferences:
-Southern California (LA AREA)
-Somewhat close to the beach
-Good Business and/ or Engineering Program
-Non-Commuter Campus
-Good Campus life (including parties/greeklife)
-Any size is fine however I would prefer it to be larger than 1,500 students.</p>

<p>Basically, Im looking for an OKAY Southern California College that I have a good chance to get into. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Loyola Marymount. </p>

<p>LA area, beach close, non-commuter campus, good academics, 6,000 undergrads, good engineering, has greek life. </p>

<p>It is Catholic but has students of all beliefs. </p>

3

<p>Residential campus in LA you can get into is a short list.</p>

<p>LMU meets your criteria but can be expensive. Depending on your 2nd term grades and SAT, USD might be within your reach too - but is also expensive. Though well north of LA, Sonoma and Chico and Fresno State are also worth a look. Perhaps UNR as well.</p>

<p>Good luck. </p>

4

<p>LMU is definitely my #1. I would LOVE to go there. But could I get in there? Money is not much of an issue.</p>

5

<p>LMU and USD are the schools that meet your southern California residential schools with engineering. But both are reaches for your stats (with typical HS GPA of 3.7+ according to their entries on <a href=“http://www.collegedata.com”>http://www.collegedata.com</a> ).</p>

<p>The more realistic schools for admission would likely be schools like CSULA, CSUN, and maybe CPP, but they are more commuter-oriented (CPP is probably about half residential, half commuter, based on 50% of frosh living in the dorms).</p>

<p>If you do well at a community college, you can expand your choices of UC and CSU to transfer to, compared to the choices you have as a frosh.</p>

6

<p>CPP is a good school to add to your list but, as UCB suggests - geting your stats up will open more doors. Take the SAT ASAP to see where you stand. Think about the ACT too. Study/prepare for the tests, it makes a big difference. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

7

<p>University of Redlands has a good business school (no engineering) and would be a possibility for you.</p>

8

<p>What are your guys thoughts on LMU or Chapman? Any chance their?</p>

9

<p>Chapman University in Orange is also worth a look and meets your criteria, but you’ll need to get your stats up to be admitted to their business major.</p>

10

<p>Currently Chapman and LMU are reachy for you. You should look into Whittier as well where you are more likely to be admitted. It is not very close to the beach but has both business and a 3:2 engineering program. </p>

11

<p>I plan on taking the SAT in March!</p>

12

<p>Also what about Occidental College?</p>

13

<p>You won’t get into Occidental with those stats.</p>