LAC Safety Schools? - Which schools should I look into?

<p>I'm looking for Liberal Arts Colleges that could potentially be "safety schools" for me right now. I've been advised to look into a few such as HWS College, and more, but I guess a few more suggestions wouldn't hurt?</p>

<p>Here is my general info:</p>

<p>I lived in France from age 7-16, so my 9th and 10th year grades don't have Honors or APs since those don't exist in France. Therefore my GPA isn't high when it is cumulative (2.9) but if you look at my Junior year of HS it is 4.1. And my senior grades are looking the same so far. (I was born in Athens, Greece)</p>

<p>I took 2 AP exams last year: Psychology and French, and got 5 on both.
I am taking AP European History this year and ALL Honors classes. (And i'll be taking the AP European History AP Test)</p>

<p>My counselor statement explains my lower GPA and grade situation for 9th and 10th grade.
I have strong recommendation letters, one from my AP Psychology teacher and the other from my previous Honors English Teacher who is now my Honors Humanities teacher.</p>

<p>SAT:
Critical Reading: 660
Writing: 720
Math: 520</p>

<p>Subject test:
Literature: 640
French Language: 800</p>

<p>I'm the photographer and web designer of my school newspaper, I babysit and do french tutoring, I do community work for the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity, but have only done so since about 2 months. I play the piano and do portrait photography. I've been in clubs such as FBLA and the French Club in which I believe I demonstrated leadership in helping others learn about the french culture and language... and I have also been a lead actress in drama class.</p>

<p>I want to major in French, Journalism, or Psychology.</p>

<p>I'm not applying as an international applicant.</p>

<p>Anyone have any suggestions?</p>

<p>It is really hard to say seeing you do not have a strong GPA…what school are you looking at for safeties?</p>

<p>So far my “safety” schools have been Penn State, Rutgers, SDSU, Syracuse University, UNC Wilmington, maybe UNC Asheville, American University, UW…
I’m aware of the GPA issue, which is why i’m looking for liberal arts colleges that would be interested in the culture and diversity I would bring to a college? My recommendation letters are strong, so is my counselor statement, my junior year GPA is good as well, i’ve tried to write original essays that show how dedicated and hard working I am…</p>

<p>I’m just trying to figure out what schools I should add for “safety”, like maybe HWS College as I said above?</p>

<p>I’m just wondering if anyone has any suggestions?</p>

<p>There is a recent thread about schools which do not count 9th grade in their gpa calculations. Perhaps that would be helpful to you.</p>

<p>Could you share the link please? Or is it right here in this section?</p>

<p>Here you go:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1267498-colleges-dont-look-your-freshman-year.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1267498-colleges-dont-look-your-freshman-year.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>…after re-reading this thread, I realized that it does not contain LAC’s, as you wanted. sorry</p>

<p>Thanks! There are a lot of highly selective schools in that thread though, but i’ll look through them just in case.</p>

<p>I agree. Another suggestion… Are you familiar with The Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL)? There is a book (by Loren Pope) and a website. He lists a bunch of schools that have done well with all types of students. Some of the schools have become more selective since the book was published, but you should be able to find a few that would fit you well.</p>

<p>[Colleges</a> That Change Lives | Changing Lives, One Student at a Time](<a href=“http://ctcl.org/]Colleges”>http://ctcl.org/)</p>

<p>Definitely not familiar with CTCL at all, thanks for sharing! Do you know about any of the schools in particular?</p>

<p>Look into Earlham, Allegheny, and Ohio Wesleyan. Do you have a preference for where in the US or what type of campus?</p>

<p>I have a preference for schools in the North (NY, VT, Mass, CT, etc), i’d like to be on a large campus but smaller ones wouldn’t bother me. I’m pretty open minded I guess, as long as the college is good and has a good environment, and i’ll get a good education.</p>

<p>Have you looked at Eugene Lang College at the New School? It’s a small LAC right in New York City, just a few blocks north of NYU. It has a flexible, progressive curriculum, with a focus on class participation and writing. Their application deadline is January 15th. They have a higher acceptance rate than many of the schools you’ve mentioned, and would probably like your background.</p>

<p>Do you need significant financial aid? If so, remember that your safety schools must be affordable (either at list price, or net after guaranteed financial aid and scholarships based on stated policies).</p>

<p>Perhaps also consider University of Minnesota - Morris and Truman State if their application deadlines have not already passed. For LACs and other small schools in general, be sure to check the course catalogs to see if they have sufficient offerings in your intended or possible major(s).</p>

<p>Be careful if the school’s common data set, section C7, indicates that “level of interest” is considered in admission decisions. That may mean that it does not want to be used as a safety.</p>

<p>The US News college rankings includes a listing of “A+ Options for B Students”. It has separate lists for LAC and National Universities.<br>
[A+</a> Options for B Students | Top National Universities | US News Best Colleges](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/a-plus]A+”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/a-plus)
Hope this helps.</p>

<p>I am not applying for financial aid or scholarships, but I am trying to avoid schools with 40,000$ tuition.
I’ve been through US News lists a lot but I guess even the schools on that list seem like a reach to me. I guess any decent school seems like a reach to me right now ha.
I’ll look into Eugene Lang College, thanks for the suggestion</p>