Hello everyone,
I am a current junior interested in political science. I have some colleges I know I want to apply to (UCLA, Reed, Stanford, and Claremont McKenna) but am looking for match and safety schools. I live in California and would prefer to stay in state, unless I can get an enormous amount of merit aid at an out of state school. If anyone is wondering, I do plan on getting a Master’s. The only safeties I have in mind right now are a few CSUs. Here is some general info about me.
WGPA: 4.65
UWGPA: 4.0
SAT: 1950
ACT: 32 (can probably get it up to a 33, maybe 34)
AP Euro: 5
AP Psych: 5
Most rigorous courses I can take, 3 more AP tests this May.
Eagle Scout
Varsity Water Polo and Swim, 2 years each (competed in City Finals for both)
Extensive involvement in theatre, major roles include Rooster in Annie, Danny in Grease, and Frederick in Young Frankenstein
Academic League Captain and 3 year MVP ( I have set school records)
Just founded Model UN club, President
Going to Boys State this summer
Got an internship at the Mayor’s office (Live in one of America’s ten biggest cities)
Please use these terms when suggesting other colleges: high and low; match, safety, reach.
UCR would be a good Safety and UCSC/UCSB/UCI and UCD good Match schools.
I’m curious why you haven’t considered these schools:
USC- you have the grades and EC’s to be a strong candidate
Pomona College - If you are applying to Reed and McKenna, why not PMC?
Occidental & Loyola Marymount - very likely to get merit $
@booboojr
I have toured USC and wasn’t crazy about the campus or the surrounding neighborhood. I know Pomona is a top LAC and emphasizes learning for the sake of learning but don’t know much out it besides that. Anything special about it? I have actually looked a bit at Oxy but wasn’t sure if I could get merit aid. You telling me I have a decent chance for it increases my interest. How does it look to grad schools?
Pomona College - academic environment is challenging but professors are known to help and make sure you succeed academically (there’s a reference to grade inflation???) ; student body is bright and accomplished but PMC recruits students who are humbled and nice so you get more of a collaborative/nurturing environment. I have a child that is a first year at PMC so I hear about this stuff. I guess the major difference between Pomona and McKenna is that McKenna in general are more pre-professional. Culture wise at least to this parent, the McKenna kids tend to be more athletic and into fitness. As far as Oxy and grad schools. If you do well academically at any undergrad, you’ll get into grad school. Grad school cares more about grades. Oxy is a top tier LAC school (maybe not top 10 LAC) so if you do well there, you’ll be fine.
Don’t want to jinx you but your strong grades & stats will get you noticed - in my humble opinion, keep the grades up and work on killer essays (especially for the LAC’s)