Hello and I hope you’re doing well. I’m looking for colleges to apply to (i know, pretty late to still be finalizing a college list) and I’ve applied to 4 CSU’s and gotten accepted to two already but did those randomly because i was set on not wanting to go to them since i wanted to go to Ohio since I love that state so much from my visits. However, I haven’t been able to find a college there that I feel matches me. they’re all religious when private and the public ones are too big and i want a small, non religious school.
I have a 3.85 unweighted GPA, a 3.92 weighted GPA, a 1770 SAT (1180 CR+M), have taken 5 AP classes and so far received 3 A’s and 2 B’s for them and am planning to go in as an undecided major (so that doesnt matter much to me).
Finances are also a concern but my family wants me to be somewhere I’m happy, so we’re willing to take out loans from loan corporations to handle finances and I’ll also try to look for a job.
It’s too late to ask for recommendation letters from my teachers and at my school, they take forever to write them. Can anyone give me suggestions of schools anywhere in the United States (preferably an urban area) where I’d fit into? I’m a shy person and I would enjoy a smaller school but I just want somewhere friendly and community like.
Small? Perhaps you can look at some Liberal Arts Colleges, maybe Hampshire College. Or some small test optional schools, which usually have a more community feel to them.
The ones that I’d for sure be able to get into I’m afraid won’t allow me to find a job after graduation. Do you think the name is important for that aspect?
Most employers care that you have a college degree, not necessarily which college you came from. Some schools may give you a leg up with connections or a more recognizable name, but in the end it is also about what you do in college and during your time there that matters. It is rare to have a college that has a net-negative effect unless it is a for-profit school. Smaller schools have the advantage if you are considering applying to grad school or need references or recommendations because you will get to know your professors. In addition to that, some people thrive in a smaller environment. Hampshire College however is a very non-traditional smaller liberal arts college, so I might start looking elsewhere unless you are really attracted to that model
In my area, most GC’s write a report about their students, which counts as a letter of rec. My school is terrible, but any decent GC will write a letter of rec, since most schools require one. These non-religious schools are all in medium or large cities.
-Clark University
-Drake University
-Emerson College
-Goucher College
-Lewis & Clark College
-Meredith College
-University of Redlands
-Wheelock College
-Williamette University
If you’re interested in science/technology, check out Florida Institute of Technology or Illinois Institute of Technology.
For schools in Ohio, how about Miami University (ohio) or Ohio Wesleyan. Ohio Wesleyan does have an affiliation with the Methodist church but it is not really a religious school.
Every school has a net price calculator on their website on the financial aid page where you can see what sort of aid you might get and the expected cost of attendance. You personally can only borrow $5,500 freshman year. Then you need an adult cosigner after that. Think long and hard about whether it makes sense to ask your family to borrow for you. If you can’t find a job thst pays enough so you can make the payments, or if you become disabled or die, your family member will still have to pay those loans, even in their retirement years. Ohio will still be there after graduation if you take the less expensive CSU route to a degree.
Finances are also a concern but my family wants me to be somewhere I'm happy, so we're willing to take out loans from loan corporations to handle finances and I'll also try to look for a job.
[/QUOTE]
You want to be a high school teacher. Please do NOT have your parts take out loans or cosign loans to pay for your education. Deep down, you know that your family can’t afford that added debt…and as a high school teacher, you won’t be able to pay the debt either.
If you want to avoid big schools, then go to UC Merced or one of the smaller CSUs.
You can be happy at a number of schools w/o added debt. Surely, you don’t want your parents to be unhappy and stressed with the burden of paying back a bunch of debt, right?
If it were earlier in the process, I’d suggest Ohio Wesleyan or College of Wooster, both in Ohio, and places where you’d have a decent shot of admission and possibly merit aid. But it may be too late for that now. However, neither are in what I’d call an urban area.
College of Wooster has a 2/15 RD application deadline. It may be worth looking into. A fine LAC about midway between Cleveland and Columbus (so 1+ hours from either). They give out merit aid (although it appears that $25K to $27 is the top award so with a $55K price tag that still leaves a fairly big price tag if your family will not qualify for need-based aid).
I’m originally from OH, so here are some other suggestions most here have never heard of:
Ohio Northern University (Ada, OH, very rural, cute campus town)
Bluffton Uni (Same)
Bowling Green State U (same, but huge school in middle of rural)
Findlay College
Defiance College
U of Dayton
Wright State U (Dayton)
U of Cincy
Ohio State has some "branch campuses, like in Lima,OH where you can go 2 years and then go to the main campus, BUT, you can also get your 4 year teaching degree right there and still graduate from OSU)
If you want to teach, it would be a REALLY good idea to stay in state. That way, when you graduate, the certification you’ll have will enable you to teach in your home state-- assuming you want to move back home.
Look at schools that will get you into the classroom as early as freshman year, doing observations. I know you’ve spent your whole life in school, but it’s a very different perspective when you’re observing the teacher, not acting as the student.
Be very wary of programs that push you to get your Masters in 5 years. Yes, I know that some states (including NY, where I live) require a Master’s eventually. But getting one before you have any teaching experience may price you out of the job market.
Look for schools with a good placement and career office. It can be hard to find jobs in teaching; you’ll want help making your application as competitive as possible.
I got into Humboldt and I don’t see it being a nice school. Supposedly the academics aren’t that strong. I have yet to tour, but I need to apply to others as backups
@HRSMom What do you mean go there and get certified to be a teacher and graduate at OSU? Stay at a branch for 4 yrs and get certified and have my diploma say OSU?
