I am stumped...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Following the example of "Overwhelmed and Confused"</p>

<p>I am worried about my college list. I know it is reaches heavy and the possibility of getting into none of those schools is very realistic. At the same time, I want outside opinions on which school would suit me since visiting east coast schools will be a problem but I will be visiting NYU and Cornell over the winter break to get a taste of the bitter winter weather after I finish my applications.</p>

<p>Beyond the two private schools (Cornell and NYU), I will be paying my application fee; my mother refused to even dwell on the idea that I might not go to an UC in California.</p>

<p>Personal: I love trying new things. New food. New places. New ideas. New cultures. I want college to be a completely positive life-changing experience. I enjoy the arts. I like wandering around a city with a group of friends and find random interesting things to take pictures of. I am a planner and a dreamer. I always have a plan B. I am one of those people who will pack extra pairs of socks, extra pencils, etc for all the just in cases. I dream big but at the same time I know my boundaries; I just like to test them constantly. </p>

<p>Interest/Activity: I have decided on business with an emphasis on marketing and/or int'l business or with a minor in psychology. I loved psychology but not enough to devote money and time into med school. I promise my mother I would buy her a house and going to med school would obviously put a huge dent in money supply. I am creative individual. I am co-editor of the school literary magazine; I had one of my short story published last year. I am taking over the outside-school literary magazine that my senior friends left behind called Redefined (where we get together weekly to discuss anything BUT school, topics can range from bananas to Rwanda). One of my most beloved school activity is mock trial. I have a good grasp of objections and the due process. I love learning about it. I love to know that knowledge will be practical for my future since laws provide structure for our society. I will be the leading prosecuting attorney this year. Frankly I can summon an interest in most of my classes. The first and only class that I have absolutely no interest is my AP Amer Gov't class this year. </p>

<p>Place: Since my four UCs are pretty much set, I want to learn more about possible match private schools in the New England area with good financial aid. A good city with ample amount of internships and cultural history is a definite plus. </p>

<p>Size: I have sat in O.Chem class with several hundreds people in Berkeley therefore I am not adverse to huge classes but I do enjoy class discussions. I believe that I am fairly adaptable but i would prefer medium to large size. </p>

<p>Social: I am not the most school spirited person but I do care about my school. I want to be in an environment where people like where they are and appreciate the opportunities (nothing annoys me more when people not taking advantages of the oppportunities that their parents give them) that they have. I want to find my niche but at the same time meet new people each year.</p>

<p>Stats:
Immigrated from hong kong eight year ago
Chinese female (first generation but not the first person in the immediate family to go to college)</p>

<p>SAT I: 1920 (first time) I took the 10/8 one and shooting for 2000+
SAT II: Bio-720, US History-770, Math 2c- retake in nov.
APs: Bio-4, US History-4, Psychology-5, five more APs after senior year
GPA: 4.34 (total weighted), 3.980 (total unweighted), 4.515 (CP weighted)
Ranking: top 4% since I got into the ELC program for the UCs
Total of 19 APs and Honor courses by the end of senior year.</p>

<p>ECs: (nothing spectacular but I love them to pieces)
-Mock Trial (witness/10th, witness/11th, attorney & v.p./12th)
-Interact Club (9th, 10th, treasurer/11th, v.p./12th)
-Protagonist <a href="9th-11th,%20pres./co-editor/12th">literary magazine</a>
-Academic Decathlon (10th-11th)
-CSF (9th-12th)
-Mu Alpha Theta (10th-12th; tutored at a middle school)
-NHS (12th)
-Swim team (9th-12th)</p>

<p>-raised money for the wheelchair foundation. sent two members of interact to Panama to pass out wheelchairs
-teacher assistant for a chinese cultural summer program for a summer
-an ellis certified lifeguard for a summer (i know CPR, first aid, rescues, etc)</p>

<p>Outside of school:
-Chinese Dance (10th-12th)
-Redefined (11th-12th)
-District Council 5160 (new clubs coordinator/11th, area rep/12th)</p>

<p>For awards and honors, nothing particularly noteworthy in my opinion. Occasional school awards from teachers and academic awards, etc.</p>

<p>I know my recommendations will be good especially the ones from my english teacher and counselor.</p>

<p>My essays will be good since I am a very open and candid person, according to my english teacher of two years, there is no way to miss the person that I am in my writing.</p>

<p>I know that I don't really stand out in any particular ways in my ECs nor my academic numbers. That's the reason why I am so worry. And, yes, money is a concern. Less loans, the more likely my mother would let me leave California.</p>

<p>My current college list:
UC Berkeley
UC LA
UC San Diego (this might be change to Irvine to ensure another safety school)
UC Santa Barbara
Cornell
NYU</p>

<p>A very quirky story: The best comment my mom gave me in my opinion was when I finally cooked hot dogs over an open fire just right during reunion in hong kong with her ex-co-workers. She said to her friends, "she (me) just never stop trying and dreaming even when you want her to" after I placed the third plate of hot dogs on the table.</p>

<p>Thank you for your help. Pardon the length.</p>

2

<p>you would like the diversity and history of boston: Northeastern (Safety) and BU (match), welselley</p>

3

<p>Can someone also give my a description of Boston? I think I would love it but I want more information. </p>

<p>Does BU have good financial aid? I have considered BU but stopped when my mother refused to pay for the app fee. But I figure that this is my life and I will take the responsibility and pay for it myself.</p>

<p>Welselley? An all-girls LAC? I didn't know Welselley has a good business program... Can someone give me more information about it? All I know is one of my friend is going to major in english and/or history there.</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply.</p>

4

<p>Boston is a good city, mostly. The T can be really packed and not on time, but it's great because you can go anywhere on the T. There's a good sized Chinatown (it's also fairly dirty there) and especially around here, really good food. The overall atmosphere? I don't know. Meandering the city streets isn't bad, it also isn't my cup of tea and I haven't done it often (I don't live IN Boston, but do visit from time to time)...there's also nearby Cambridge, and of course, the great Charles River (they say there's no life in it and consider insane the fool who takes a dip there)...</p>

<p>Just beware the drivers. My god. They can be, um, "angry." Yes...angry's the word. They can also show remarkable lack of concern for the safety of their peers, so watch for cars next to you that start inadvertently drifting into your lane...this might be universal, but it's only ever happened to me in Boston...and the roads? They don't make sense. NONE. You'll have to get used to it =p</p>

<p>Oh, by the way, general information on Mass. weather. If you think summers don't get hot here, you're in for a surprise. Surprise! Summers can get brutal. Also, winters...yeah. As I type my hands are freezing. I don't know if you get 4:30 sunsets in CA, but we do in the winter.</p>

<p>(PS - ni hao)</p>

5

<p>lol. I have been to D.C. during the summer (between July and August) without AC cuz my uncle's AC broke. It reminded me so much of Hong Kong's summers. Gah, the humidity. </p>

<p>ni hao... as well. i am so bad at translating chinese into english pronounciation. thanks.</p>

6

<p>Northeastern has a great co-op program. They invented co-op. Your mom may be happy about it, because you would be able to gain work experience, and earn money during your college years. I think that you would like Boston, and Northeastern has a good location in the city, near the art museum and Symphony Hall. Downtown is a short subway ride away. Yes, Boston is crowded. The locals have a reputation for being unfriendly. Housing costs are atrocious. There is a lot of run-down, obsolete housing. But, it's a fun place. I come from the Boston area. Two relatives went to Northeastern, and one to BU. They all say that Northeastern is better- friendlier, more student support, better classes.</p>

7

<p>Gah! I am so confused right now. Several weeks ago I thought I had my list fairly planned out but now with negative comments concerning NYU and BU concerning lack of campus and unfriendly people. I am just confuddled. </p>

<p>I already handed the envelopes for recommendation letters for NYU and Cornell. Yes, three months beforehand... I don't know how to approach my teachers if i do decide to add/drop schools. ahhh???!!!</p>

<p>I think I can handle the city and lack of campus just fine. Not fantasy Hogwarts school, but then again none of the schools I am applying to are. As long as all the building are not gray blocks and resemble a prison, I will be fine. </p>

<p>But please help... I am really stressed by this.</p>

8

<p>For merit money in Boston, Suffolk was mentioned on another thread.</p>

<p>IMO you will not beat instate tuition at a UC unless you get merit money.</p>

9

<p>I am also debating whether Cornell is worth it as well. I do know that its AEM business program is extremely selective (not a big surprise) but would the fact that it is in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has a bearing the fact that I am interested in the marketing aspect of business and I don't have much of a interest in farm animals.</p>

<p>Bascially, I have been second-guessing all my private schools and feel like my head will explode soon.</p>

10

<p>Suffolk?</p>

<p>I do realized that it is extremely doubtful that anything can beat UC tuition with the quality of the school. It is very blatant but at the same time, I know I will always regret it if I don't even give it a try and apply.</p>

11

<p>I think it is great to try... but if money is a big issue for your family, then seek out non-UC schools that are likely to give you good aid.</p>

12

<p>Stick with a UC if you get into one - they are the best buy in higher education, and you should feel lucky that you live in CA. </p>

<p>While some people mistake Bostonians and New Yorkers for unfriendly, I tend to view them as...preoccupied. You tend to become numb to constant kindness when you see a different person every 1/4 of a second.</p>

13

<p>any suggestions on a non-UC out-of-state school with good aid and stronge marketing program? my counselors have the tendency to suggest CA private schools but i want to get out of CA and get the full new environment experience.</p>

14

<p>to kcisch:</p>

<p>i do feel lucky... but at the same time, i also feel trapped because in all of the UCs, there will be people from my high school (not just 1 or 2 but 8-10+). i know the chances of bumping into them is slight to none but it is just a turn-off.</p>

<p>btw, i like your comment concerning bostonians and new yorkers. i was so shocked when people actually say hi to strangers walking down the street in my CA suburban town after moving from Hong Kong.</p>

15

<p>On Boston: Generally a pretty fun city...voted "America's best college town" multiple times, in general a little cleaner than NYC and possibly friendlier, but also with a slightly less thriving arts scene (except definitely go see something at the American Reperatory Theatre, ART, if you get the chance). Cambridge/Harvard Square is a really fun place to visit...street performers in warm weather, chocolate shops, quirky movie theaters...And yes, the drivers are insane. Always look both ways. </p>

<p>BU is a city school sans campus, but that also has its pluses... it's in a nice part of Boston...near Newbury St and Kenmore Square...a quick busride away from Cambridge, and the T goes right past most BU buildings. I have only done summer programs there (I am currently a freshman at Northwestern University in Chicago, but I'm originally from a town 2 hours north of Boston). So yeah, a general run-down of the whole Boston thing...</p>

<p>Also, I totally sympathyize on the public school thing...above all, I refused to apply to school in New Hampshire. Even my safeties, I chose other state schools rather than apply to UNH. I didn't want to go to college with the same people I went to high school with.</p>

<p>And if you are looking even farther north than Massachusetts, check out Middlebury College in Vermont...</p>

<p>oh! One more tip: have you ever considered attending school in Canada? It's ridiculously cheap, and there are some amazing programs in all sorts of majors up there (McGill, in Montreal, is considered the "Harvard of Canada"). It would definitely be a different experience, and it might solve the money issue...</p>

16

<p>In my opinion, Boston beats New York in every way that matters except for weather (Boston is a little colder). The people are nicer, the city is cleaner, there is rich history, less homeless people, great architecture (gotta love those brownstones!), and tons of great things to do for young college students.</p>

17

<p>I second the comment about the architecture...Boston has more of a feeling of history and quality than NYC...it seems more real, and less contrived.</p>

18

<p>McGill is a good call. Canadian schools can get close to UC instate.</p>

<p>Also look at University of British Columbia, in Vancouver I think.</p>

19

<p>I actually have considered colleges in Canada (that's what my friend did last year). But I think my mom will have a heart attack... she doesn't even want me to go to the east coast. But I will do more research.</p>

<p>my current list of schools: the four UCs (Berkeley, LA, SD, SB <--i am in already because of the ELC program so no need for safety), Cornell, Boston U, NYU (a huge maybe at this moment)</p>

<p>everything should be set after i know my sat 1 scores (crossing my fingers and toes and hope for the best)</p>

<p>i appreciate the comments and i think i am very interested in boston.</p>

20

<p>How cold exactly does the east coast get especially Boston?</p>