Help Finding Realistic Colleges

<p>Hey guys, I am senior this year and have no idea what colleges would be reaches, safeties, or matches for me. Any help would be appreciated, and if it is necessary by all means tear me a new one. I'd rather be given the truth than be flattered. </p>

<p>GPA: 4.1 W, 3.8 UW
Relatively low GPA (3.6ish) in 9th grade with easy classes, but 10th and 11th have a much higher GPA with harder classes.
SAT:
640 in every section (Hope to retake and improve this)
SAT II
760 in Chem (Will take two more, unsure which at the moment
AP:
5 in Chemistry (Will be taking 4 APs next year)
Two great teacher recommendations</p>

<p>Hope to major in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering</p>

<p>Have not taken the ACT yet</p>

<p>EC: Helped create the Chemistry Club and raise money for it, also competed in Chemistry I and II science league teams. Also have had a job working for my father since 10th grade. Both my parents did not go to college either if that helps my chances for admission.</p>

<p>Any suggestions would be great. Thanks guys.</p>

<p>Cost constraints and state of residency?</p>

<p>For chemical engineering, look for ABET accreditation. For chemistry, look for ACS approval.</p>

<p>Go up to the CC main page and use the College Search Engine.</p>

<p>State: New Jersey
Cost Constraint: Parents say they have been saving up for a while so cost is not an issue</p>

<p>Do your parents realize that the most expensive colleges can cost up to $60,000 per year? Don’t wait until April to find out the answer to this question.</p>

<p>Rutgers is a respectable school for chemical engineering and chemistry at in-state price for you.</p>

<p>Large merit scholarship opportunities include Delaware (Du Pont), NCSU (Park), Georgia Tech (President’s), but you probably need a higher SAT-R or ACT to be competitive for them. Minnesota is a very respectable school for chemical engineering with a relatively low out-of-state list price.</p>

<p>Go to the sticky threads at the top of the financial aid forum to look at lists of automatic and competitive big merit scholarships. They may give you some targets for raising your SAT-R or ACT score.</p>

<p>Any ideas on a reach school?</p>

<p>The first school you should find for your application list is a safety that you are certain to be admitted to, certain you can afford, and which you like. Then add other schools if desired.</p>

<p>^ Agreed. A safety is a school you can definitely GET INTO, can AFFORD, and are HAPPY to attend. Anything else is gravy. At this point GTech is a reach.</p>