Help me out!

<p>I am wondering if anyone could help to suggest any colleges that are not already on my list.
Let me start off by saying I am in no way an Ivy League type of student. I am more the average type of student. I would like to know your opinions on the schools on my "colleges on my list" list. If any of them may be a match, reach, safety, etc. Also, any colleges that you could suggest for me I would appreciate also! Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>Requirements:
IN the state of Pennsylvania (preferably no farther than 200 - 250 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Preferably a school that would be under $40,000 a year.
Would prefer to NOT be in Pittsburgh or any other large city.
I want a small town feel, but not in the middle of nowhere either.</p>

<p>Major/Possible Major:
Information Systems/Science, Business Administration: Management Information Systems</p>

<p>Grades:
GPA: 3.5
SAT: 1430 (first time taking it. Planning to retake it in November)
Science courses taken: Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy
Math Courses taken: Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Prob&Stat/Trigonometry & AP Computer Science
Language: 5 years of French
All other courses taken were pretty normal, and no other AP courses.</p>

<p>EC's
Dance for 11 years
4 years of baton
3 years total in Marching Band
2 years total in Winter guard
7 years total of Concert Band (Flute)
6 years total of Chorus</p>

<p>Colleges on my list:
Waynesburg University
California University of Pennsylvania
Geneva College
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Westminster College
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania</p>

<p>Is there some reason you don’t wish to consider Penn St? It seems to meet most of your criteria though it seems to be a larger school than the others on your list.</p>

<p>*SAT: 1430 *</p>

<p>Is that out of 1600 or 2400?</p>

<p>If it’s out of 2400, you may also want to take the ACT to see if you’ll do better on that.</p>

<p>*Preferably a school that would be under $40,000 a year. *</p>

<p>Is that the amount your parents said that they’ll pay?</p>

<p>Are Catholic, Lutheran, etc, schools ok?</p>

<p>Pitt-Greensburg has both [information</a> science](<a href=“http://www.greensburg.pitt.edu/academics/majors/infosci]information”>http://www.greensburg.pitt.edu/academics/majors/infosci) and [management</a> information systems](<a href=“http://www.greensburg.pitt.edu/academics/majors/maninfosys]management”>http://www.greensburg.pitt.edu/academics/majors/maninfosys), as well as straight [business management](<a href=“http://www.greensburg.pitt.edu/academics/majors/management”>http://www.greensburg.pitt.edu/academics/majors/management&lt;/a&gt;). Its campus is fairly close to Pittsburgh but is small and rural campus. The Information Science degree is awarded by Pitt’s School of Information Science, located on the main campus in Oakland, but all the courses are taken in Greensburg. Pitt School of Information Science has a phenomenal national reputation and is [ranked</a> 10th by US News](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-library-information-science-programs/rankings]ranked”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-library-information-science-programs/rankings), so as far as top programs, this is by far the highest profile choice you’d have while at the same time avoiding having to be on a large/research-oriented and/or urban campus…it is probably the only such situation in the entire nation like that for IS. UPG’s middle SAT is 1380-1660 out of 2400. </p>

<p>Pitt-Bradford also has [information</a> science](<a href=“http://www.upb.pitt.edu/academics/cist.aspx]information”>http://www.upb.pitt.edu/academics/cist.aspx), and is also ranked in the northeast college category by US News, but Bradford is further away and sort of in the middle of nowhere. However, I think its information science program is separate from the one from the School of Information Science at main. UPB’s middle 50% SAT is 1310-1610.</p>

<p>And then there is Pitt-Johnstown, that is a little more all-around what you might be looking for. US News ranked it as the [url=&lt;a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/bacc-north-top-public]top”&gt;http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/bacc-north-top-public]top</a> public college in Pennsylvania<a href=“Northeast%20category,%20ranked%20#21%20overall”>/url</a>. It is near civilization and has computer science as a major, as well as business management. It also has a dance ensemble and a concert band. However, it doesn’t appear to have straight information science as a major, though you might have to check with them to be sure. UPJ’s middle 50% SAT is 1350-1650.</p>

<p>Muhlenburg may be a reach, but could be a great fit, especially for someone into dance. But I’m not familiar with their Computer Sciences, so you’d need to check that out.</p>

<p>@prospect60 - Penn State has been ruled out. The campus is way too large for me, and was completely overwhelming. Also, my parents hated the fact that it is the #3 party school in the entire country. I’m there to LEARN NOT to PARTY.</p>

<p>@mom2collegekids - 1430/2400. I am already scheduled to retake it in November, and hopefully will better my score to about 1600 (maybe?). As far as $40,000 goes, that is the number my parents gave me for the absolute highest. We figure that with financial aids & scholarships that we can get it lowered somewhat if I apply early enough. Christian Schools are a-okay. I am Catholic, but am open to schools of other denominations as well.</p>

<p>@wgmcp101 - I’d like to thank you for all the links & information you posted for me. I have been considering Pitt-Greensburg, the only downside is that it may be a little to close to home for my liking. Pitt-Bradford I have also looked at, but it’s not exactly what I am looking for (main reason, because it’s too far). Pitt-Johnstown I have also been looking at, but I do not think they offer Information Systems/Science which is disappointing.</p>

<p>@M’s Mom - Thanks for the suggestion. I had been looking at Muhlenberg earlier on, but ruled that one out as it is about 4.5 hours away from home.</p>

<p>Thank you everyone for your suggestions so far. If anyone else has any more suggestions or comments I am more than happy to hear them. I like to look at all my options before making a final decision on something as important as this.</p>

<p>Not sure but maybe IUP and St. Francis. Best of luck!</p>

<p>1430/2400. I am already scheduled to retake it in November, and hopefully will better my score to about 1600 (maybe?). As far as $40,000 goes, that is the number my parents gave me for the absolute highest. We figure that with financial aids & scholarships that we can get it lowered somewhat if I apply early enough. Christian Schools are a-okay. I am Catholic, but am open to schools of other denominations as well.</p>

<p>Truthfully, if your family can afford $40k per year, you probably will not qualify for financial aid because your family may earn too much money. Financial aid is based on income/assets. </p>

<p>As for scholarships…to get a scholarship from the schools that give them, your scores need to be well within the top 25% of that college. Of course, not all schools give scholarships.</p>

<p>If you were able to raise your SAT to at least a 1600, you might get a scholarship at Cal U of Penn. A 1600 SAT is about a 530 in each section and a 1060 M+CR SAT. </p>

<p>Cal U O Penn Test Scores </p>

<p>Middle 50% of First-Year Students </p>

<p>SAT Critical Reading: … 460 - 530<br>
SAT Math: … 470 - 540<br>
SAT Writing:… 450 - 540 </p>

<p>As you can see, to be in the upper 25% at Cal U of Penn, your SAT scores would have to be higher than these numbers in order to be likely considered for scholarships. </p>

<p>you can get these numbers from Collegeboard.com for various schools. If merit money is wanted, your scores have to be high for each school.</p>