<p>The OP might want to check out Salve Regina in Newport. My daughter applied there (higher GPA, SATs were 1800 including the writing, 1230 CR/Math). She received a very nice merit scholarship that would have made the cost of attendance just a little more than our flagship U. It's not a big flagship U like the ones on the list...but...</p>
<p>I second Ohio University. Depending on the program this could be a match. Some of their programs (allied health professions for example) are more competitive.</p>
<p>B students from our hs with SATs in that range have been accepted to (I'm only listing the large-ish schools):
UMaine
UVermont
UNH
UDel
Va. Tech
UMiami
UConn
UHartford (don't know the size)
Syracuse
Northeastern
UMass Amherst</p>
<p>Of course, this is no guarantee; as things seem to keep getting more competitive. But... if she offers geographic diversity at some of them and has other strengths coming through in her application...</p>
<p>I noticed that for some of these schools, students from our hs with very similar stats got a WL or denial - proof that it's not all in the numbers. Also, it seemed that EA applicants with similar stats fared better. So she might want to get as many apps in as possible early for schools with EA/rolling.</p>
<p>My daughter has a little bit higher SAT, little bit lower grades, also at good (NY) public school, and all the schools you're listing are exactly what students in her range at her school are advised to apply to. UConn wants more OOS to apply -the admissions guy giving the presentation when we visited said so - and I think their standards for OOS might be lower; my neighbor got in with 1160 SAT and 90 UW average - no honors courses, not many ECs. I think your list is very realistic.</p>
<p>Definitely apply to URI as safety though!!! What fun to live on the beach after freshman year, esp with instate tution!</p>
<p>Don't forget, it comes down to the entire application, not just the numbers. My son had higher stats than your daughter, but was told by everyone (including his private college counselor) that he would not get in to the top three schools he was applying to. He was accepted to all, with a lower gpa than the average admitted student. He had high test scores, but I swear his EC's and essays had to be a factor in his acceptance. And by EC's, I am including the interests he pursued by himself in his room with no "certification" or proof of achievement, such as reading and music. Although next year will certainly be competitive, your daughter has an opportunity to paint a compelling picture of herself through her essays and her stats are good enough for many schools across the country. Perhaps being from a small state will help her chances. Just cover yourself with some ABSOLUTE safeties since admissions can be unpredictable. Also, if she has the chance to take a college course (not AP at the HS) before she applies, I always think that shows colleges that the applicant has already proved they can succeed at the college level and that they have an interest in continuing their education beyond what is expected. I think that may helped my son a lot (he took 3 college classes and got A's in all). Good luck to you. Time goes fast... enjoy the ride.</p>
<p>Northeastern is much more selective now than it used to be. It is not considered a safety by many here in the northeast. Used to be - but they've raised their standards.</p>
<p>Northeastern was on D's list. As someone mentioned previously, it's much more popular now than it was 5 years ago - and much harder to get into. I've heard there were over 35000 applications for this year's class (for about 2800 seats). Mid-range ACT and SAT scores are rising quickly. It's crazy.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I am just so blown away that an all around , normal, B+ student has little or no chance of being accepted into schools that five years ago, would have been "a slam-dunk<<</p>
</blockquote>
<br>
<p>Including the old forum, I've been on CC for 5 years now, and things haven't gotten that much worse. 20 - 30 years ago it might have been a slam dunk, but B+ kids on CC now seem to be getting into pretty much the same schools that they did 5 years ago.</p>
<p>Coureur, I agree. The schools that were "easy" to get into 20 years ago are now much harder; the safety of 2 decades ago could be today's reach. I do hear a lot of misconceptions from aquaintances and co-workers who haven't surveyed the college admission scene since the 1980's. (I have one such coworker who told me that her son's 29 ACT score would get him in "anywhere", including Duke.)</p>
<p>Remember, 1/4 of the students at any school will have stats below the middle 50% range, therefore there will be plenty of students with "low" stats for every school (someone has to be at the bottom). A 3.5 is not a B+, it is much better than that. Use the ranges to see chances for admission and also to see where the student falls in the student body- being one of the lower stat students may mean more work than the average student does to get the same grades, it may mean a struggle. If your child wants a challenge it seems better to reach than go for a school where s/he is well above average.</p>
<p>Applying as an OOS student can be a disadvantage. Many schools have higher reqs for OOSers. Also the lower 25% may be comprised of kids that have something special that a school wants that compensates for the low test score. It might be a very high gpa, athletics, legacy, development, celebrity, URM status, special challenges, first generation, geographics,etc. When you are out of state, with none of those features, you had better be in the upper half of the 50% line to have a decent chance of entry. Many of these large schools are formulaic in admissions. Class rank + gpa + date of application determines entry.</p>
<p>^That's true at places with high demand, like UVa. However, with the flagships in some smaller states -- like Vermont, Delaware, Rhode Island -- part of their "business" is selling the school to out-of-state students, and the OOS students don't necessarily have much higher scores. </p>
<p>Also, if you are talking about Amherst, or even Brown, the bottom 25% of the class statistically is entirely (or almost entirely) made up of special-situation students. But at a larger state university, with 4,000, 10,000, 15,000 per class and more natural diversity, the special-situation students make up much less than 25% of the class. Amherst is a small college that prides itself on having lots of sports teams. The athletes necessary to field those teams make up considerably more than 25% of each class, and even the few recruited ones in each sport are meaningful statistically in looking at the college's profile. But at Ohio State, all the athletes put together probably barely make a blip in the university's numbers.</p>
<p>Beachguru, you haven't mentioned financial aid. But I hope you are aware that OOS publics usually offer the least amount of money, and the cost of attendance at some these places approaches $35,000. I know UMaryland estimated COA last year at $33,000. SUNY is the exception, in that OOS costs are not too bad. Unless you're comfortable paying the entire amount, be sure to have a financial safety or two on the list.</p>
<p>Agree, JHS. However, Ohio State is not an easy in even for instate kids. Close friend has a tussle about getting her D in there even as a legacy. Similar to OP. Decently high grades, but SAT was on the low side. And she was a recruited athlete! Which ultimately got her in. A lot of these state schools are not easy admits anymore.</p>
<p>Lurkness, you are right about cost. Friends with kids OOS at UIndiana and Penn State are paying some big bucks. We checked out St Mary's in MD, and had to come to the conclusion that it was too pricey and chances for $$s too small.</p>
<p>Have you tried looking at the web sites of the schools that she's considering? Often the admissions section will provide a breakdown of SAT scores and gpas of the current freshmen class. For public universities, this may include a breakdown of stats for in-state and out of state students.</p>
<p>I strongly suggest that you invest $15 so as to be able to use the US News premium college on-line web site, which also provides detailed information about admissions, financial aid and a variety of other important things about individual colleges. It also makes it easy for you to compare colleges.</p>
<p>Make sure, too, that you can afford to send your D to the schools that she applies to. Usually out of state publics reserve financial aid/merit aid only for students who are the cream of the crop, so assume you'll pay full price at out of state publics. The cost of gas also will greatly increase prices of trips home, so factor that in mind when considering distant colleges.</p>
<p>Take the time to use a financial aid calculator like the one on CC's web page so you get a rough idea of how much you'll have to contribute. Almost always, colleges expect parents to pay more money than the parents expected, so be prepared for that.</p>
<p>Usually public universities make their admissions decisions almost wholly on the student's state of residence, stats, and having completed the required coursework. ECs, community service, etc., at best will be factored in for merit aid. Being a recruited athlete, though, could help anywhere, so if your D's tennis skills are very strong (such as her being state ranked), that could be a plus.</p>