Help me pick out my college list

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am currently a junior in high school preparing to apply to colleges next year. When I first got into high school my plans for college were pretty much Ivy League or nothing. Now, I am just trying to find some good safety, match, and slight reach colleges just to have a more realistic and secure plan. </p>

<p>Looking for:
Colleges on either the west coast preferably California (CA resident), or the New England area, preferably New York
As for majors, I haven't really decided yet but possibilities include thing such as business, economics, communications, media, journalism etc.</p>

<p>Basic Stats.
SAT: 1830 (first time and took it cold, will retake in June and should be able to pull at least a 2000+ probably a 2100+)
GPA: 3.3 UW/ 4.1 W
Race: Mixed African American and Australian (might just state African American though, if it helps)
Course Rigor: Was in a full pre-IB/IB program from 9th grade till first semester of 11th grade.
Other: I know I will be able to write a great essay but i'm not sure about recommendations yet.</p>

<p>Extracurricular
Beta Club
Drama Club
National Honor Society
Humane Society Volunteer
Library Volunteer
Link Crew Leader</p>

<p>Senior year course load
AP Calc. AB
AP Gov./Eco.
AP Physics
AP Language
French III Honors</p>

<p>Background:
In high school, things started out great initially, but a few months into the start of the year my mom filed for divorce and all hell broke loose. The situation was traumatic and messier than it needed to be (like the police had to be called to our house several times). The divorce was dragged out for about two years (my freshman and sophomore years). The experience had a negative affect on my grades. Although I was able to maintain all B's with a few A's my gpa dropped. First semester of my junior year, things had finally calmed down at home and I was able to earn straight A's in all IB classes. </p>

<p>However, the divorce affected my family's financial situation and we (my mom, my siblings and I) had to move across the country for a job offer she got. Because I moved so late in the year and the school I am going to now does not have the IB program and no real equivalents to IB classes, my counselor just kind of gave me whatever classes were not full yet leading to my second semester course load being really weak.</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post, I just want to get a good idea of what some of my more realistic options are. Thanks everyone in advance!</p>

2

<p>Colleges to consider:</p>

<p>Boston University
Pitzer
Northeastern
NYU
Occidental
Fordham
UC-Santa Cruz
UC-Davis
Syracuse
University of San Diego</p>

3

<p>I would talk to your mom about finances, what can she help you with? If your financial situation is weak, consider cost in your decisions as well. I’m thinking most ivy league schools would be in the reach category for you, although I am no expert as neither of my children went to an ivy.</p>

4

<p>I know that money will be a factor when I am actually choosing a college to attend, but right now I just want to see what type of schools I should look into.</p>

5

<p>I can relate to you in so many ways. I went through the same thing with my parent divorce except it lasted three years. Samuelbulldog could not have given better college suggestions; I am applying to many he listed. You might also want to consider george Washington, penn state, university of san Diego, and chapman.</p>

6

<p>*seattlebulldog</p>

7

<p>Do you think it would be worth trying for UCLA (Dream School) or UC Santa Barbra?</p>

8

<p>UCSB is well within your reach! UCLA is definitely worth trying, and to be honest stating that you’re African American will help a lot ahah. I think you should apply to 1 or 2 of your top/favorite Ivys though! You never know, plus Ivies ARE extremely interested in diversity lol</p>

9

<p>So would say like, Brown or Columbia be worth a shot too?? I am just trying to get ideas because I don’t want to be spending an exuberant amount of money on applications if I really have no chance…</p>

10

<p>Look at Cornell also.</p>

<p>The problem with too many app’s is not the cost (if your family’s finances are gutted, you can apply for application fee waivers - just ask your school guidance counselor to write a letter saying you can’t afford the fees), but spreading yourself too thin. You don’t want to be writing so many essays that you end up writing crap.</p>

<p>Do as much research as you can this summer, and then apply to a broad - but manageable - range of schools.</p>

<p>Oh yeah, and you don’t get to go to UC Santa Barbara unless you spell it right! :)</p>

11

<p>I second Pitzer and add Pepperdine!(:</p>

12

<p>I’d look at women’s colleges also . . . Scripps, Smith, and perhaps some of the smaller women’s colleges outside of New England. (I know you prefer New England, but just to give you some more options.)</p>

<p>And if I’ve guessed your gender incorrectly, then ignore this post. :p</p>

13

<p>Try the net price calculators at each school’s web site to get an idea of what kind of cost and need-based financial aid you are looking at (note: NYU has a reputation for poor need-based financial aid). Note that if your parents are divorced, college financial aid may expect both parents to contribute – if one is unable or unwilling to contribute (or even provide information to you for financial aid forms), then you may need to search for colleges with large merit scholarships, or schools with list prices within your budget.</p>

<p>For a California resident, UCs and CSUs should be among those to investigate. You can use <a href=“http://www.assist.org%5B/url%5D”>http://www.assist.org</a> to find out which campuses have which majors (the site is mainly for transfer students to plan courses at community colleges, but the major listings are handy for all prospective students trying to find which UCs and CSUs have which majors).</p>

<p>Typical list prices per year before financial aid:</p>

<p>UC: $30,000 to $35,000 in-state residing on or near campus
CSU: $20,000 to $25,000 in-state residing on or near campus
community colleges: $2,000 for fees and books plus costs of living at home and commuting</p>

<p>Note: Minnesota is about $30,000 per year list price for out of state students. And if you do well on the SAT or ACT, you may find large merit scholarships at some of the Alabama campuses.</p>

14

<p>Honestly, I think ivies are out of reach. Even if you improve your SATs 400 points your GPA is low. UCLA is probably a good reach though, and SeattleBulldog’s list is a good start. :)</p>

15

<p>So how many schools should I apply to? like 10, 15? I plan on working on my applications (at least the essays) this summer.</p>

<p>Also, would a school like San Diego State be a good safety?</p>

16

<p>The number of schools you apply to depends on your finances.</p>

<p>Where finances are likely to be an issue, you probably want more schools on your list, rather than fewer. You want a couple of SOLID admission & finance safeties (where you know you can get in and you know you can afford it). Beyond that, you have to anticipate that both need aid and merit aid offers may be all over the map. Two seemingly comparable schools could offer you wildly different amounts of aid. So, don’t assume anything . . . plan for the unexpected. And apply to enough schools that if some offers are lower than you’d hoped, you’ll have others that will still give you some choices.</p>

17

<p>I disagree about NYU. They are notoriously bad with financial aid, and living in NYC is very expensive. (Also, FYI: NY is not in New England.) </p>

<p>Also, be aware that your father’s finances (even if he’s out of the picture) could significantly impact your ability to receive financial aid, as his ability to contribute (whether or not he does) will factor into your financial aid decisions. </p>

<p>I believe that you can apply to several UCs with one application. You have to pay the fee for each one, but you only have to complete one application. </p>

<p>I would use the college finder offered by CC and click the box stating that you’re interested in seeing colleges where your grades/scores would be well above average to give you a better chance of merit aid. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>