<p>Hi y'all, I am a high school junior and I am wondering what LAC's might be a good fit for me. I took an online practice SAT test through college board and got 2030, that was my first attempt with no preparation so it should hopefully go up for the actual test. U/W GPA 3.93 W GPA 4.45. 1 AP so far (got a 4) taking 3 more this year. In GSA, band, marching band, I have volunteer hours. I am interested in science, social sciences and film. I live in California and would prefer a school in the west but the Midwest would be okay too, I'd prefer a liberal school, possible one that is politically active. Not a party school. We have run net price calculators and we can afford the EFC generally, but merit aid is good if possible. It'd be great if you could suggest some reach, match and safety LAC's for me to look into. </p>
<p>One place to start is with Colleges That Change Lives: <a href=“http://www.ctcl.org/colleges/map”>http://www.ctcl.org/colleges/map</a> . It isn’t necessarily the ending place for your search, but perhaps a starting place. </p>
<p>Also, Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon might be a place to investigate.</p>
<p>In terms of other sources, I have found Fiske’s annual college guide to be useful.</p>
<p>To the extent that you need to consider finances, here is a link to college financing threads on CC: <a href=“Links to Popular Threads on Scholarships and Lower-Cost Colleges - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>Links to Popular Threads on Scholarships and Lower-Cost Colleges - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums;
<p>I think that some of the Claremont colleges would be good fits for you, but it’s too soon to determine how competitive you’ll be for admission. Some have more financial aid available than others. Occidental also sounds like a good fit. It is expensive, but it met our EFC (more than we wanted to pay, unfortunately). Whitman is a little further out of the way, but they might give you some decent merit aid. Reed awards no merit aid, and they are not need-blind in admissions, but I recommend that you consider applying there nevertheless. Colorado College might be another good fit for you, assuming that you maintain your high GPA and score over 2000 on the SAT and/or over 30 on the ACT. </p>
<p>LAC’s in the Minneapolis area that might be good fits for you would include Carelton, Macalester, and St. Olaf. Carelton is on a trimester schedule which might work out well for you with study abroad. But all 3 are known for sending high % of students abroad.Lawrence U. in WI is also on trimester schedule and has a London campus which is very popular with their students. Lawrence’s schedule is nice in that students are off school from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Carleton, Macalester, and Lawrence are fairly liberal. St. Olaf slightly less so, but anyone could fit in there. It’s a great school and an easy going student body.</p>