Help finding colleges!

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hello!
I'm currently a Junior making (for the 3892108039210931 time) my college list.
After a long time, though, I still don't have a concrete list, since my intending major (English) is available virtually EVERYWHERE.
However, what I really want to be is a writer, and go to Ireland (don't know if it's worth mentioning).
Then, I decided to look for colleges with Irish Studies as a major or minor. Result: not many schools offer it.
But then, I asked here already whether I should only look for school with this minor or just search any school despite having Irish Studies (back to my initial problem).</p>

<p>My college list is this:
University of Notre Dame (based on throughout research, so far my dream school)
Bard College
Occidental College (a "fit" according to CollegeBoard search)
Franklin/Marshall College (same as above)
SUNY Binghamton (same as above)
Kenyon College (I heard their writing program is pretty good, though they don't have Irish Studies :()</p>

<p>I've used several search engines (including CC one), but they don't have the information I want, such as: how is the atmosphere on the classrooms? Will I be surrounded by smart and motivated people? Will I have time for my writing?</p>

<p>Most of this colleges are (BIG) reaches for me. I'm an Hispanic male (Brazilian parents, but my dad is Spanish also) with ~3.7 GPA (by the end of this semester I'll have a 3.81 GPA), SAT score of (so far, in the practice test; will get my official one on Thursday) 14xx, did a couple hours of community service in an elementary school, joined 3 clubs and founded my own (though I will be leaving these 3 clubs next year; I don't wanna do something just to look good for college when I'm not enjoying being there lol), no APs, taking a class in a community college now, though.</p>

<p>Before you guys go saying "You don't have any chance, your scores are low, you don't have a good curriculum, blablabla," I have some reasons.
I came to the US on December of 2009, and started on Sophomore year in February of 2010. In my school in California, we have what's called the Sheltered English classes, which are classes in subjects such as Chemistry and Geometry but for English learners. So, before I could take any AP, I had to first fulfill the school requirements (last year I took Biology; I was going to take Bio AP this year but I had to do the Chemistry requirement :( ) and improve my proficiency in English, which sucks, since all of the colleges (so far) in my list are very competitive and I don't know whether they'll understand my situation.</p>

<p>I'm very determined and motivated, despite my school blocking me from doing what I want.
During the summer I'll be doing more community service and even get a job, while taking another class in the community college and studying to increase my SAT score.
Same for fall, although I'll be having a full schedule with 2 APs and Spanish 2 at the CC.</p>

<p>Now for the type of colleges I'm looking for:
A small college, maybe under 7,000 students (I visited both UCLA and USC and they seemed waay to big for me) located anywhere where it snows in the winter and is sunny in the summer (duh); with a close-knit community, where there are friendly, smart, motivated people; where I'll be academically challenged; where I'll be helped to do my best.
I'll definitely ask for financial aid (let's say my EFC is $0...)
Oh, my intended majors are English, History, and Psychology. I can minor in one of them, too. Having a minor in Irish Studies is a ++++!</p>

<p>Anyways, my question is: is there a college like this? And what would be the ideal safeties/targets for me (It's easier to find a reach than a target or safety, since I don't know if there are many colleges where my stats would be better than average)?</p>

<p>Sorry for asking so many questions; is just that this is driving me crazy. I want to go to college just for the experience and for the sake of acquiring more knowledge, not for reputation or being placed in Wall Street right after graduation lol.</p>

<p>Thank you and again, sorry for asking so much!</p>

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<p>The only school I can think of that meets all your requirements would be St. Ambrose in Iowa. </p>

<p>[St</a>. Ambrose University](<a href=“http://www.sau.edu/]St”>http://www.sau.edu/)</p>

<p>It offers all 3 of your major choices along with an Irish Studies minor. With your stats you should qualify for one of their larger merit scholarships and probably some need based aid if your EFC is 0. You will be at the top end of their applicant pool so you could probably think of it as an admissions safety. (I am assuming you are a US citizen as I am unfamiliar with the International financial aid piece).</p>

<p>If you apply online they do waive the application fee.</p>

<p>I think their enrollment is around 3000 students. It snows in the winter. They tout that their dorms are the best in the midwest. </p>

<p>Another option that has some pieces of your requirements is Aquinas College in Michigan.</p>

<p><a href=“Page not found | Aquinas College”>Page not found | Aquinas College;

<p>They offer your majors but don’t have a specific Irish Studies minor. However, they do offer a semester in Ireland program that focuses on Irish Studies. </p>

<p>Aquinas has a financial aid estimating tool on their website that you may find handy. </p>

<p>Please keep in mind though that if you do go to school in the midwest to factor in your travel costs.</p>

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<p>Thank you!
Yes, I am a dual citizen holding both Brazilian and American passports; therefore I am eligible for FA!</p>

<p>Those two schools seem safeties for me.
I’m just worried that I might be putting too much weight on their acceptance %, thinking that it’s a bad school for accepting so many people :x</p>

<p>Anybody else? Reminding that I’ll study a lot to increase my SAT scores.</p>

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<p>I’m looking for a college with similar criteria, and I want to be an author too! :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Some colleges that seem to fit your criteria and offer Irish Studies are Boston College and Villanova University. You could also take a look at this list [American</a> Conference for Irish Studies](<a href=“http://www.acisweb.com/resources.php?type=guide]American”>http://www.acisweb.com/resources.php?type=guide) and see what colleges at least offer a handful of Irish Studies classes, even if they don’t provide an official minor or major. Another idea would be to look into colleges that have strong study abroad programs in Ireland. Good luck! ^_^</p>

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<p>Cool, a pen mate! (:</p>

<p>I already checked this website, but seems like the college with the best minor in Irish Studies is Notre Dame… They even teach the language!
However, it’s a big (big) reach for me…</p>

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<p>*SAT score of (so far, in the practice test; will get my official one on Thursday) 14xx, *</p>

<p>Is that out of 2400? If so, it’s very unlikely that you’d get accepted to ND. </p>

<p>Since you have high financial need, you’ll need to carefully pick schools that will meet your need.</p>

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<p>crfciao—the two schools I mentioned would be academic admission safeties for you. Any safety school is going to put you at the top of the applicant pool. That’s why the school will be willing to offer you a lot of scholarship money to attend.</p>

<p>I’m not familiar with any match schools for you. Perhaps someone else will be able to give you some ideas. However, match and reach schools will not be as likely to give you a lot of free money.</p>

<p>With an EFC of 0 you are going to need a school that is very generous. If it does come down to money you may be best served at an instate school.</p>

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<p>*Is that out of 2400? If so, it’s very unlikely that you’d get accepted to ND. *</p>

<p>Yup… But I know I can improve my score if I study a lot this summer! (:</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for the replies!</p>