Hey guys, I’m currently a senior in high school and about to head on into college. I have a 3.9 weighted GPA (3.7 unweighted), ACT score of 26, and SAT score of 1740. I got into ten universities (Boston University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Purdue University, Indiana University Bloomington, Drexel University, Temple University, Miami University, San Jose State University, University of the Pacific (Honors Program), and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and waitlisted by two (UC Davis and UC Irvine), but I honestly do not feel strongly about any of them.
During application season, I had no idea what I wanted so I just asked my friends and family where they thought I should apply. Even now, I’m not entirely sure of what I want, but since then I have learned that I really want to be in a big city, especially Boston, and preferably be somewhere that has a co-op program. Drexel seemed like a good fit, but I’m not that crazy about Philadelphia because of its high crime rates and poorer living standards. After doing some research, I finally found a dream school: Northeastern University. I hope to transfer there as soon as possible, most likely during the Spring 2018 term, but I don’t know if this is the right choice. Even though I love what the school offers and its location, I don’t know how I feel about starting later than everybody else. I still want to attend there if possible, so no matter where I end up at, I plan on applying. However, I was wondering if I would have a better chance of getting in if I go ahead and commit to one of the schools I got into or if I should save some money and attend a local community college like Foothill.
So basically, should I:
go to community college to save money and then try transferring to Northeastern
go to a 4-year university and then try transferring to Northeastern
I know I’m being really picky and I should give the other schools a chance, but I really really do want to try my hand at Northeastern. Thank you so much for your time!
If money is not an issue/difference in your choices; then I would go to BU. It would give you a chance to really be in the general area (BU and Northeastern are only a few miles apart)
First, congratulations - you were accepted to some very nice schools. Second, your standardized test scores are very, very low for Northeastern. They put you, at best, in the bottom 15% of accepted freshman students, and transfer admissions is often even more competitive. With that in mind, and should you be unsuccessful in your transfer application, would you rather be sitting in a CC or one of the quite excellent schools where you were already accepted? Lastly, The University City area of Philly where Drexel and UPenn are located is actually quite nice, so you might want to re calibrate your hopes fears and expectations.
What do you think of curricula built around co-ops? Northeastern (and Drexel) have curricula built around co-ops. Other schools may have optional formalized co-op programs, although one can do an informal co-op at most schools using the withdrawal and readmission procedures.
Are any of these places affordable for your family? Will you need financial aid as a transfer student?
Generally speaking, the best aid packages are offered to freshmen applicants, so if nothing is affordable now you need a gap year and a whole new list. If some are affordable, but others aren’t, you need to cross off the unaffordables, and choose from among the affordables and plan to stay put there to finish your degree - or take that gap year and work up a new list.
If you don’t qualify for aid, then spending two years at community college to save a few $$ before applying for transfer makes good sense. Starting at expensive U #1 hoping and planning to transfer to expensive U#2 is only for people who have the ready cash to fully cover the costs of #1 and #2.
@tdy123 Thank you! Yes, I realize that my ACT score is way below average for Northeastern. At the same time though, that’s also the case for most of the schools I applied to. I think that my essay really helps with my application, as well as my extracurriculars though. Private schools tend to care more about the more personal aspects of your application than your test scores don’t they?
But still, you do bring up an excellent point. I really appreciate your advice!
@ventana10 I would go to BU, but I got into the Boston-London January Program, which means I don’t start college until January. If I have to start in the spring term, I think I rather go to Northeastern since they have a co-op program.
@ucbalumnus I actually rather have the curriculum built around co-ops, because otherwise I’m worried that I won’t have the self-discipline or motivation to go through with them. So to be safe, I would prefer it if was a formalized program.
As for costs, my parents keep telling me to not worry about the money. We’re fortunate enough to have enough saved up to go to Northeastern, but I don’t want to force them to spend so much money for my sake. That’s why I’m considering going to community college first, and then try applying to Northeastern rather then spend the extra money on a school I’m not very interested in. I did, however, get a decent scholarship from Drexel. Still, my parents aren’t fond of that school because they think that it’s too dangerous over there. Even though Boston also has it’s fair share of crime, they feel more comfortable with me living in that area.
Why is co-op a big deal, though? You can still get work experience working summers.
And if you really wanted to (and can land something), you can work some semesters while being on leave from college.
@happymomof1 We are fortunate enough to have enough saved up to attend all of these schools, though it would be a lot better if we received financial aid. I feel really bad for making my parents spend so much money on me, which is why I am considering going to community college first. However, my parents think that I won’t be lucky enough to get into such schools again, so to be safe, they rather me go to a 4-year university and then transfer.
If your parents feel,fine paying…pick a college and go.
If you really hate all of these schools…take a gap year and do NOT go to college at all. Get a job…and work. Retool your list to include schools that are more affordable, and where you really would like to attend. Apply for 2018’admission.
@PurpleTitan That’s true, but I just feel like it’s easier to find a good place to work through the school’s connections and working with your co-op coordinator.
@thumper1 I’m just worried that if I take a gap year, I don’t know if I can get into any good schools. I feel like one of the strongest parts of my application is one of my extracurriculars: a traditional Chinese orchestra that I have been a part for the past nine years. Once you graduate from high school, you also ‘graduate’ from the orchestra. Unless colleges still see your extracurriculars from high school when you take a gap year, I don’t think I have a chance as my ACT/SAT scores are below average for the schools I want to go to.
@zixinyu: And that (IMO, small) advantage is worth the risk?
On the other hand, the cost savings of transferring after 2 years of CC are big. And if you do well in CC, you should have some UC’s as options, at least.