<p>I know its a little late but as I've been finalizing my applications I've started to have second thoughts and I'm worried I'm going to end up at my safety school (Arizona State University) when I desperately want to go out of state. I don't know what I want to study, possibly something in the area of marketing/advertising. I want a large school with school spirit that's not terribly difficult to get into. I have no preference for location except I'd prefer the school to not be in the middle of nowhere. Preferably somewhat near a major city.
My stats:
3.7 GPA (my school only uses one gpa, i'm guessing its weighted)
1910 SAT, 1200 (M+CR)
Top 25% of class
ECs: DECA, Key Club, Internship with city hall, summer program at NYU, nothing special really but I've been very involved with DECA in particular (lots of awards, leadership roles) I also work part time at a clothing store.
I've taken almost all AP/Honors classes but I got poor grades my first two years due to personal issues. I think I write good essays and I have good letters of rec, but I don't think those will make up for my SAT/GPA.
I'm applying to mostly reach schools so I guess I'm looking for some matches/safeties.
Applying to: University of Washington, UT Austin, University of Georgia, Texas State University, University of Colorado: Boulder
If anyone has any suggestions that would be great!</p>
<p>I don’t think you’re applying to mostly reach schools, but then again, what do I know. Is there a reason why you’re applying to all out-of-state public schools? They don’t usually have great financial aid. </p>
<p>I don’t know what your views are on a denominational school, but I think Baylor matches the large school/spirit/not difficult to get into + there’s merit aid, although I don’t hear much about the area it’s in… It’s Christian, though. </p>
<p>It makes a big difference whether that GPA is weighted/unweighted… If weighted you have a solid chance at all the schools you listed.</p>
<p>I’m in the same situation as you. I live in Texas and I desperately want to go to Syracuse. I am so afraid of getting rejected…</p>
<p>Syracuse seems to match what your looking for. And they’re really good at helping out students financially.</p>
<p>@quidditchcat- financial aid isn’t really a factor for me, my main goal is to go out of state. I’ll take another look at Baylor</p>
<p>Pope- FinAid may not be a concern for YOU…let’s ask the question this way. How much are your parents willing to pay each year towards your education? If you haven’t had “the talk” sit down and have it. You need a number. If they haven’t already done so your parents need to calculate their EFC, then run a few net price calculators to get an idea of what an instate public, OOS public, and a private school might cost.</p>
<p>My parents and I have already gone over the finances, I wouldn’t be applying to these schools if I absolutely couldn’t afford them. i dont stand to get much in terms of financial aid because of how much my family makes, but there’s a substantial amount of money set aside for college. But on the scale of things getting in to the school is my first priority. going instate is the smartest decision as far as money goes, but its my last resort.</p>
<p>As far as fun towns and school spirit, I think you are on the right track with UT. UC-Boulder is known as more of a hippy, academic out-doorsy school, but I am sure you can find a niche. Of all the big school towns I have lived in, UF Gainesville was definitely the best. So take a look at that. Go Gators! (And hook’em Horns). And it seems to me that Baylor is too far from Austin and Dallas-the middle of nowhere, IMHO. TCU and SMU might be closer to your criteria.</p>
<p>Pope- that’s great you’ve gone over the financial aspect first and are applying to schools that are affordable. You would not believe the number of students that apply, getting in is their first priority, with no idea of how much their parents are willing to spend. They’ll think about that later. What they end up with often is a long list of admit/deny’s. They are academically admitted but either through lack of merit or financial aid the school is not affordable so it’s essentially a deny. That’s why it’s important to have the discussion up front. Many people have a few schools where merit/FinAid is uncertain and an admit/deny is a possibility, but you know that going in and craft your list accordingly with true safeties and matches. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Check out U of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, lots of school spirit, very good advertising program and you probably have a shot at the Honors Program. Also Syracuse.</p>
<p>Penn State, UF, Ohio State, UMN-Twin Cities, UAlabama, U Nebraska Lincoln, Ole Miss. All great school spirit and for the last 3 not hard to get into (you’d likely qualify for the honors college - but apply soon since priority deadlines/honors&scholarship deadlines are soon. UAlabama apparently doesn’t require any essay).</p>
<p>Perhaps Pitt, Indiana, FL State, Oregon, Syracuse</p>