<p>I just got back from my visit at Shimer College in Chicago. It's located on the campus of IIT. It was okay but I really have to talk to more people about the Great Books Curriculum. Anyways... I have already submitted my withdraw letter from my current college, Saint Xavier University. The point is I can't go back. So, now I need to find a new school. The place was not a good fit for me. I was all over the place as far as grades go. I know we are all a big fan of stats so here we go...</p>
<p>-Saint Xavier University GPA through 2 semesters: 3.17 (I can't mail out all transcripts until 05/08/09)
-I will have 28 credits at the end of the semester
-My High School GPA is 3.1
-My ACT Score was a 24 with an 11 on writing (that was top 1% for writing. could that significantly help?)<br>
-Clarinetist (Big Scholarship at current school; why I'm here)
-I would like to stay near Illinois but open to ideas
-I have submitted my app to Shimer already (only one I've submitted)
-Do NOT have English or Language requirements for University of Illinois
-I have a pretty solid letter of recommendation from my clarinet professor</p>
<p>Obviously we are not dealing with a shining star of a student. Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance guys.</p>
<p>Avisron- Hey, thanks! I forgot about SLU. My family and I were down on campus when I was looking at schools as a junior in high school. I will give it a look. I wonder if they have a generous scholarship program? Is St. Louis a safe area? I would imagine, like Chicago, it has its good and bad areas. Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>Try Knox or Wheaton College in IL…both really good schools, not extremely difficult to get into. Wheaton is super chill, my cousin goes there. “A+ schools for B students” as US News puts it. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>I also visited Knox when I was in high school. It was nice. A little expensive though. Wheaton College is a bit too strict for me. It is very religious, something I am not. Thanks for the suggestions though!</p>
<p>Updated list of colleges I can afford and I think will fit me well:</p>
<p>Cleveland State University
Eastern Illinois University
Grand Valley State University
Indiana State University
Northern Illinois University
Shimer College
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay</p>
<p>I’m pretty confident that I would be able to get into all of these schools. If not let me know. This list is not at all set in stone, other suggestions are still welcome. My price range for tuition, room, and board is about $20,000 tops. If you could tell me what school you would pick and why that would be very helpful. Thanks again guys!</p>
<p>Cleveland State is a great university. I attend Case Western (right down the street from CSU practically) and we get tons of professors to come over to our campus to talk. I’ve met people who go there who love it. It’s a lot closer to downtown Cleveland than Case (Case is practically in the ghetto… actually forget about practically, it is in the ghetto) and makes me semi-jealous.</p>
<p>I have a friends who attend EIU and they seem to be content with it. The majority of the students there aren’t the brightest, but like in any college, - private or public - there are strong students who attend that are worth seeking out; in the end the student body and administration are a “friendly bunch.” Charleston is a rural town and there isn’t anything to do, so if you don’t have a car you’re stranded with boredom (joining the Greek scene helps, and being involved with student organizations that have your interests helps also). I visited and the kids seem nice and most were genuinely concerned about their classes and relationships with their professors. The campus is very compact and is well kept. EIU’s library is very “cute” and is located smack dab in the middle of campus. The new Doudna Fine Arts Center is amazing ([Doudna</a> Fine Arts Center :: Eastern Illinois University](<a href=“http://www.eiu.edu/doudna/]Doudna”>http://www.eiu.edu/doudna/)); it’s a “mini Krannert Center” without the open mic and cafe. After my visit I think EIU, right behind ISU and UIC, is a truly hidden gem for an affordable public education. If EIUs Philosophy department was stronger and had more choices in terms of majors, I would’ve applied. To be precise, EIU has a lot of potential to be a destination for average (and above average students) to gain a solid education. If EIU was a Hogwarts house (the dork side of me is coming out . . . ) it would be Hufflepuff where “hard work, loyalty, tolerance, and fair play” are valued.</p>
<p>Haha that’s awesome! Thank you for giving me your input. I did visit EIU when I was looking for colleges as a high school junior. It seemed nice. I didn’t get a chance to see the library. The only concern I had was that a friend of mine that goes there said that if you don’t drink and party you will be out of the loop as far as social life goes.</p>
<p>^ Like with any public university, alcohol is used as a social lubricant. EIU is no exception. If you don’t drink, hall councils in the dorms are an excellent way to meet people. Do you play an instrument? If so, join the concert and marching band. There are various ways to be involved on campus, you just have to seek them out and be persistent. Drinking and partying is just one way to socialize, but if you don’t fit that bill, it’ll be okay. I have a friend who is in the greek scene and said during parties no one is forced to drink.</p>