Help selecting schools

College Search & Selection
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<p>I've been planning out college visits over Easter break, as I am thinking about going to the east coast. I already have some reach schools in mind but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about school ideas for match/safety schools (especially safeties) </p>

<p>I'm looking for a school that has a wide range of academic possibilities as I am completely undecided as to what is like to major in (I really enjoy both humanities and sciences). Ideally the school would be in a city and have strong school spirit/ good sports teams. I live in southern California, so I am not sure as to how I would adapt to the cold but I'm open to try it. Added bonus would be any schools that are Catholic/Christian but that is by no means a requirement. </p>

<p>I'm also extremely interested in competing on the mock trial team in college, so schools with teams that are strong/nationally ranked is another plus.</p>

<p>I currently have a 4.0 gpa (may change I about a 3.8/9 by the time I apply), take the most rigorous courses available, I am on a nationally ranked mock trial team (we have won state and international competitions) and got a 2050 on the PSAT, though I am hoping to improve that to a 2250 by the one I take the actual SAT. </p>

<p>Finally, my parents would probably be able to afford most private school costs, but obviously schools where I would receive merit aid would be a huge bonus. Thank you!</p>

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<p>Be sure to talk to your parents to find out whether they are able and willing to pay up to $60,000 per year. Guessing that they can “probably” afford that much may lead to unpleasant surprises in April.</p>

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<p>Well, there are USC and UCLA…</p>

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<p>How religious would you want the environment and curriculum to be? You may also want to consider that, if you want a more religious environment and curriculum, you may want a school with matching denomination (e.g. Catholic school if you are Catholic, Baptist school if you are Baptist, etc.).</p>

<p>For safeties, you can also consider the <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt; if you get a high enough SAT or ACT score. There should also be some UCs that may be reasonable safety candidates (unfortunately, the better CSUs tend to have impaction in most majors, making it a hassle for an undecided student to change major).</p>

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<p>I’ve talked to them about costs, and they are willing to pay up to 60,000 a year, though that would be stretching the budget, hence my subsequent look for merit scholarships. But yes, need be they can contribute that much. </p>

<p>USC and UCLA are both schools I’m considering, but I understand that both schools have extremely competitive admissions so I am looking for some schools that I’d have a better chance of getting into. </p>

<p>And I am a practicing catholic, so is prefer that or nondenominational Christian. And ideally religion would have some presence but not overwhelming (some religious diversity and not a huge pressure to convert everyone who Is different) </p>

<p>Thank you for your response and I will definitely be checking out that thread!</p>

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<p>Take a look at Georgetown as a match: Urban, good sports, Catholic (but not overtly religious), a climate that isn’t overly harsh (compared to the NE or midwest), and solid academics across a wide range of majors. Bonus points if you don’t apply as a potential political science/IR major, which is what draws so many competitive applicants to the school.</p>

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<p>Here is a search for Catholic colleges and universities:
[The</a> National Catholic College Admission Association](<a href=“http://www.catholiccollegesonline.org/search.html]The”>Search for Catholic Colleges | National CCAA)</p>

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<p>Villanova is in suburbs but has easy access to Philly. Catholic, many majors, sports and school spirit. Debate team. (Law School has mock trial team.)</p>

<p>Temple isn’t Catholic, but the rest applies. Debate and mock trial teams.</p>

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<p>B.C., Holy Cross and Stonehill College - all Catholic with debate teams.</p>

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<p>Holy Cross’s mock trial team has won many competitions including this one in November: [Mock</a> Trial Takes First and Fifth Places at Coast Guard - News - Crusader - College of the Holy Cross](<a href=“http://www.thehccrusader.com/news/mock-trial-takes-first-and-fifth-places-at-coast-guard-1.2944189]Mock”>thehccrusader.com)</p>

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<p>All of these schools, unless otherwise noted would probably give you merit aid and are located in cities (not necessarily on the East Coast though).</p>

<p>If you’re willing to stay in California, I’d highly recommend Santa Clara University. It’s a Jesuit school in Silicon Valley, so about 6-9 hours from SoCal, depending on where you live, and has good sciences + humanities. It doesn’t have a mock trial team but it does have Model UN.</p>

<p>Another Californian possibility is LMU. It has a mock trial team, is in LA, and is a Jesuit school. It doesn’t have that much school spirit but is strong all around.</p>

<p>In the Northwest, there’s Gonzaga University. It’s a Jesuit school in Spokane, Washington and is good all around. It has a mock trial team which I know nothing about. The school is well known for having a ton of school spirit.</p>

<p>Another good Jesuit school is St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO. You’d probably get merit aid, and the school is strong all around. I’ve read school spirit is fairly high, but don’t know anyone that goes there so I can’t be sure. It has a mock trial team, but I don’t know how strong it is.</p>

<p>Boston College fits all of your criteria besides the merit aid, and if you can get your SATs up to 2250 would probably be a low match.</p>

<p>Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI has a huge amount of school spirit and is a decent Jesuit school. Its engineering program is well known, which leads me to believe that its sciences will also be good</p>

<p>Fordham University, a Jesuit school in New York City, is also worth considering. I’m not sure how strong its sciences are, but the social sciences and humanities are excellent. I believe there’s a strong amount of school spirit, and New York City is one of the coolest cities out there. It also offers mock trial but I’m not sure how strong it is.</p>

<p>Additionally, check out the other schools recommended in this thread.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for all your help! I was just wondering if anyone had any further suggestions of schools that would be safeties/ give merit aid for someone with my stats!</p>

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<p>All of the schools suggested besides Boston College, Georgetown, UCLA, USC, and Holy Cross are safeties and would likely give merit aid. If you can get your SATs up to 2250, all of the schools become match schools (assuming you don’t apply to Georgetown’s McDonough’s School of Business or SFS)</p>

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<p>Ok, thank you for that clarification!</p>

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<p>Are you a senior now?</p>

<p>Try…</p>

<p>Santa Clara
Fordham
St Louis U
Gonzaga
G’town</p>

<p>Many of those will give you merit.</p>

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<p>G’town give merit? I don’think so – a $2000 grant for freshman year is not worthy of mentioning as merit. I don’t think BC for $ either… </p>

<p>Holy Cross yes for merit if you go ED</p>

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<p>Useful tables for seeing what schools offer merit aid (% of students receiving non-need based aid and average amount) Note: universities and LACS are separate tables:
[Best</a> Values in Private Colleges, 2012-13](<a href=“Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts”>Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts)=ALL&id=none
[Best</a> Values in Private Colleges, 2012-13](<a href=“Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts”>Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts)=ALL&id=none</p>

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<p>No I am a junior so I still have a good amount of time luckily. And thank you for that information!</p>