<p>(also posted on College admissions forum)
We are down to the crunch with college applications and my daughter is still undecided where to apply realistically. Her dream would be to go to Yale. However, reading these forums makes me believe that she has little chance of getting in. We need some suggestions on "safety schools" to apply for. My daughter has worked very hard all of these years in school and it would be a shame if she ended up at a state school (my husband and I attended state schools, so no offense intended). Please give suggestions. She wants "the college experience" as well as a superior education. She is not the party type, but is social and has strong Christian values. Here are some of her stats:</p>
<p>Graduates June 07
Ranked #8 in her class of 532(top 1%) CA Dinstinguished school
GPA=4.52
SAT= 1900
5 AP classes taken with grade=A, passed all exams, scored 4 or more on 4 exams
Several Community service hours, but no CS awards to put on application
Involved in several clubs, some w/ leadership roles
Leaning toward business major (undecided)</p>
<p>"State schools" include UCLA, University of Virginia, University of Texas at Austin, and many other fine institutions. Just because a school is public, don't let that throw you off. Some safeties to consider. All have good business programs, and all are somewhat conservative.</p>
<p>Clemson University
Fordham University
James Madison University
Marquette University
Miami University: Oxford
Ohio State University
St. Joseph's University
University of Colorado - Boulder
Villanova University
Virginia Tech</p>
<p>We live in CA, so she has applied to UCLA and UC Berkley. She wanted to go to an east coast school to experience that way of life, and after visiting Boston she liked Boston College and Harvard. UT Austin is also a consideration since dad is an Alumni and we visited there as well. What is your opinion on her chances at any of these schools?
(forgot to mention she has been working at Starbucks since Jr year)</p>
<p>If the south is OK, try Wake Forest, U of Richmond or Elon. Emory is also good but is more of a reach. Not sure why you have such a problem with state schools. You're very lucky to have high quality state schools in CA. If she wants to go East, state schools can still be a bit cheaper than privates. Penn State, Ohio State, UMD, UDEL all have good business programs and would be safeties. Seems pretty strange to be picking those schools over the UCs though. Unless your daughter can get in the Ivies (not likely) consider saving the money for grad school. By the way, my son was a top achiever and chose his state school over a number of of very good privates. And he's happy there too. Good luck!</p>
<p>We don't have a problem with state schools necessarily, it's just she wanted to go away to school outside CA, but with OOS tuition, it would have to be a great school for us to justify the cost. </p>
<p>That said, What UC schools should we be looking at within her reach?</p>
<p>UCLA and UC Berkeley are reaches somewhat (due to SATs) but are definitely worth a shot.</p>
<p>San Diego, Santa Barbara, Irvine, Santa Cruz, Davis, and Riverside are within her range (some of the formerly stated UCs are matches, others, safeties).</p>
<p>If she is interested in business and New England, Babson, Bentley and Bryant (in order of selectivity). She could probably get into all three, and I would think would get some merit money at Bryant. Also, if she wants to go big, Northeastern.</p>
<p>I was trying to come up with schools where she might study business and still have other educational opportunities in an environment which is faith-friendly. How about Wheaton College (Illinois), Pepperdine (I know it's in California, but it's not the same as the UCs), Case Western, Notre Dame, Georgetown.</p>
<p>Georgetown is an insane reach. It probably isn't happening. Notre-Dame is a reach. Case Western is reach. Wheaton/Pepperdine I know nothing about.</p>