I’m going to be a senior in the fall. Previously, I had an interest in Music Therapy, a major that was offered at a very limited number of schools. But since I’ve switched to Psychology, giving me a seemingly infinite number of options to choose from. For better or for worse.
In the future I would like to become a Clinical Child Psychologist. I have a 30 ACT score (31 superscore) and a 3.75ish GPA. And it’s important to me that I’m in an urban environment. So with that in mind, are there any bad schools listed I should kick off my list? Any that are out-of-reach? Or are there any I’m missing? I really don’t want to apply to more than 10 schools, for financial reasons as well as the fact that I just don’t really feel like it. Especially because I’ll be auditioning for a music minor at any place that offers it.
-NYU
-Boston U
-George Washington
-Tulane
-DePaul
-Pace
-Suffolk
-U of Denver
-Minnesota
-U of IL Chicago
-LIU Brooklyn (Is this a bad school? I’ve heard conflicting things.)
-U of Akron (because my mom works there, aka free tuition)
-Wooster (because free application, and I was told I would get “maximum scholarship consideration”, and my mom said so. She wants to use their offer to bribe other schools into giving me more money…)
@dragonfly26 You are basically a shoe-in for all of the schools on your list with the exception of NYU. NYU is definitely a match for you but you have a very good shot.
@invader71 Thank you I did cut a few out (Pace, Suffolk, LIU) because I figured they were pretty low, and added some more that I think might make good targets (Case Western, CUNY Hunter, SLU)
What schools do you think would be good reach schools? I’m thinking Georgetown or maybe Penn?
@dragonfly26 I think those were good cuts. I would probably cut UI- Chicago as well. If you like Chicago, I would recommend Loyola University-Chicago as a better option.
Furthermore, I think CUNY Hunter will be a safety for you, a match for the honors college though. SLU is definitely another safety as well.
Do you have any other specific requirements besides an urban environment?
Ok, off topic but I’ve learn for years on CC, is it’s a shoo-in and not a shoe-in. I used to think it’s has something to do with the shoe but CC parents said otherwise.
Are there financial constraints? If so, you need to take these into account from the beginning. Unless your parents are willing and able to pay the full cost, you or they need to run net price calculators on these schools to see if they might be affordable.
@invader71 Per parental rules, the school has to be within two days’ drive of my home in Northeast Ohio. Other than that, just strong Psych program, preferably with Applied Psych or Developmental Psych major. And a bigger student body - at least 5,000, but 10,000+ preferred. And a big city.
I think you’re right about UI. I forgot about Loyola Chicago though. I go to a Jesuit high school, so I can get automatic scholarships from a lot of Jesuit colleges including LUC
I also cut NYU for financial reasons (thinking I can always just go for grad school) and Denver because it’s pretty far away for a school I’m not crazy about. I thought of adding Columbia as a reach, but that’s a really big reach I think. I’ve heard conflicting sources about the financial need they meet - everything from 53% to 100%.
@hs2015mom Good to know! And we do have some financial constraints, but they’re vague. My parents seem to afraid to set specific stipulations, and are pretty much operating under the apply-just-to-see-how-much-they-offer-you philosophy. I also have grandparents that said they were interested in contributing to my education, but not how much. So I’ve been sort of playing it by ear.
Some music therapy programs require admission to the music school, through an audition. Not sure about all the schos on your list, but for the schools that require an audition, that will often be as/more important than your GPA or ACT.
You have plenty of matches and a (virtual…) safety or two on your list. NYU is probably the hardest to get into, followed by BU, Tulane and UM-Twin Cities OOS (assuming you are OOS…). If you got into just two of those, you would be in good shape and have an interesting choice to make.
As others have said, you might as well shoot for two or three reaches.
Penn would be a high reach for you (5% chance).
Georgetown is probably more like a true reach (10-15% chance).
CMU is more like a low reach probably, about a 25% chance of admittance, given that you are not trying for STEM.
You don’t need any more matches, but if you were to grow cold on UM-Twin Cities, schools with similarly revered Psych programs include UW-Madison, the University of Illinois, and Northwestern. Northwestern, of course, would be a reach.
@prezbucky Thank you After looking into Penn I don’t really think the school’s a good fit for me. I’m thinking the same for Georgetown, but I might visit since I’ll already be in the area when I visit GW.
I’ve considered applying to Columbia, but I feel like that might be too out of reach. I think have some assets to make up for the low numbers (working on Girl Scout Gold Award, 3 years of leadership positions on literary magazine, musical ability - since I might try for a minor in music, spent a summer doing service on an Indian Reservation), but I’m still doubtful. Even if I do get in I wouldn’t be willing to pay a significant amount of money to go.
What would my chances be for Columbia? Do you think it’s worth it?
By the way, here’s the revised version of my list.:
-Columbia - BIG question mark here as my ACT does not fall within average
-UMN - I’ll be getting a special “Golden Gopher” application sometime this month that will require no essay and give me priority consideration from my understanding. Strong Psych program, including a Developmental Psych major.
-George Washington - I understand they have a strong Psych program? And I Love DC!
-DePaul University - Visited and fell in love. Definitely a safety, but I would be very happy going there.
-Case Western - Zero application fee, nearby, plus my dad attended here.
-Loyola Chicago - Strong Psych program given their acceptance rate and automatic Jesuit heritage scholarship, but I hate the environment, and so many kids from my high school go here. I’d rather get as far away from them as possible.
-CUNY Hunter - Also questionable, as the number of people who attend here from OOS is extremely low. I hear they offer a lot of value for their price, though ($18,000 out of state!?!?!) and are well-respected in the New York area.
-Tulane - Zero application fee. I love New Orleans, but I doubt I will attend. I don’t sense this school is worth the money and two day drive.
-Akron
I had a sudden realization the other day that I will undoubtedly have to attend grad school given what I want to do, so it would probably make more sense for me to go cheap for undergrad and do well, and then get into a dream school later on. Thus why NYU and BU were kicked off my list.
Your chances at Columbia would be even a bit lower than they would be at Penn. I think you should go for it, if you are willing to put in the time and money on the app. They let in some kids with scores like yours every year; who’s to say you wouldn’t have some luck?
Here are some additional reaches with strong Psychology programs. Test scores at Brown/Cornell/JHU are, on average, lower than many of the other elite schools:
@prezbucky OP voiced concerns about cost because he/she will inevitably have to go to grad school. Berkeley, UCLA, and Michigan are not good options simply because OP would not get financial aid.
Good call, thanks! I saw the inclusion of the U of Minnesota and decided to mention some other state schools, but you’re right: it wouldn’t make sense to apply at a school that will cost ~$40,000 annually with little hope of meaningful fin aid, if you are on a relatively tight budget.
@prezbucky@Qwerty568 California is just out of the question in general. I’m an Ohio resident and my parents have given me a two day drive maximum distance. I’ll be sure to look into the others though
Especially because I’ll be auditioning for a music minor at any place that offers it.