Hey guys, i’m a Junior in high school currently living in Dubai, Most probably going to study in US as an international student for my undergrad.
Can you guys please list me a few of the possible safety/reach etc schools that would suit me?
Details:
My high school GPA is about 87% here in Dubai so about 3.3/4.
Yes we take precal, Calculas, Chem, physics and all of these major subjects.
I’m going to take the SAT in a week, but assuming i got 1100-1200 state the possible colleges i should apply to.
Extra Curr Acitivites includes me playing Soccer and being the captain for about 6 years in my school. & community service
I’m mostly looking for schools in California, but any other school would be fine.
Also my tution capability ranges up to about 45,000$
So yeh please post the possible schools i would probably get in!
Your stats would likely exclude you from elite schools. Can your family afford to be full pay?
Since you are a US citizen but living abroad, you would be considered a Out of State applicant for California publics. California UC’s cost around $55K+/year for OOS so $10K above budget so UCR/UCSC would be your best chances. CSU’s would come in around $36K/year so within budget. I would look at Cal Poly SLO and Pomona, San Diego State, Cal State Long Beach/Fullerton/Sacramento/San Francisco/Chico to name a few depending upon intended major and location. You should look at some privates such as Univ of Pacific/Concordia/Whittier/Loyola Marymount/Azusa Pacific depending upon FA/merit aid needed.
As long as it doesn’t cross 45k, they are willing to pay.
I’m planning on studying something related to Computers, a few of my options are Comp engineering, Comp Science, Information security. Would you mind explaining to me why state universities are cheaper than normal uni’s? Also after you know my major now do you recommend any school that would offer a great course? And last thing, am i able to know the GRANT aid a specific university would give me before i apply?
Financial aid tends to be very limited for international students unless your qualifications are exceptionally strong.
However, many state universities charge $45K or less (full cost of attendance) for non-residents.
Check Kiplinger’s “best value” list of public colleges.
http://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/index.php
(click-sort on column 9, “total cost per year, out-of-state”).
With a 3.4 GPA and SAT M+CR of ~1200, you might have a shot at some of the following schools:
New Mexico Tech (total COA ~= $28K for non-residents)
University of Maryland - Baltimore County (UMBC, total COA ~= $36K)
North Carolina State
Florida State
SUNY New Paltz (or other schools in the SUNY system)
CSU Long Beach (or other schools in the California State system)
There’s nothing “abnormal” about state universities.
In fact, the majority of undergraduates in the USA (over 70%) attend state universities. There are several reasons why public universities tend to cost less (especially for state residents):
- their costs are subsidized by state governments
- they tend to have larger enrollments than private colleges, which can create economies of scale
- they face pressure from taxpayers to keep tuition costs low
- they tend to have larger average class sizes (and lower per-student instructional spending) than private schools
- the best (and most affluent) students nationwide typically are not competing for admission to out-of-state public universities, or else are not willing to pay big price premiums for them (esp. when better FA is available from private schools or lower sticker prices are available from in-state publics).
Sjsu, cal poly Pomona , uofPacific, uSanDiego, cal Lutheran, csu San Marcos - + most listed in #2 - either Full pay at csu 's or with scholarship at the above, you’re within budget.
Remove Concordia and Asuza from list #2 if you’re not a devout /conservative Christian.
Would you consider other states ?
i would actually, i prefer states with warm wether, btw you think studying CS at SJSU would be a good idea? i want a school that has a good athletic department, good greek life, great CS/CE programs.
CS at SJSU is superb, it’s a prime recruiting spot for Sillicon Valley. However, it’s VERY competitive to get in AND stay in.
However it doesn’t meet your criteria of good Greek Life and good athletics.
Yeh you see i want to find a great college for Comp sci , yet still have a great experience in terms of athletics and greek life/party life.
You think University of Iowa is a good option?
Your stats would make SJSU a reach anyway.
Iowa State/UIowa might be possibilities, I assume CS is okay there. In that line of thought, check out UNebraska Lincoln and UWyoming, plus New Mexico Tech.
What about DePauw? They’re known for their parties and Greek life is very dominant, but they’re strong academically so I’m not sure your GPA + test scores would cut it.
What about Temple, Umass Lowell, CNU, ODU?
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GRANT aid a specific university would give me before i apply?
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I doubt you’d get grant aid or scholarships. Your family’s income is too high, your stats are too average, and you’re an int’l.
You need to concentrate on schools where you can afford the full cost.
You want warm weather, sports and Greek Life. Look at all the schools that run along the bottom of the country.
Your stats are too low for SDSU, but are probably OK for: UAz, ASU, Texas Tech, LSU, MSU, Alabama,
If you want warm weather, sports, and Greek Life, and your budget is $45k, then apply to Alabama. You can chooose standard housing, and your costs will easily be under $45k
Since you want CS or Computer Eng’g, you also have to consider which schools will accept you in one of those majors. San Jose won’t accept you (and the weather isn’t really warm there), and SDSU and the other “better” CSUs (Long Beach, Fullerton) and Cal Polys won’t accept you.
Many of the privates listed upthread would not be affordable or don’t have the sports life you want.
Someone above mentioned that you’re a US citizen. Are you?