Louisiana Girl Seeks West

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I'm a rising senior and I'm interested in some honest evaluation of my resume and my strengths/weaknesses. I've been lurking on here for quite some time, and only now have I found the courage to post here! This is slightly mortifying for me, considering that there are people here going to the Ivies. Right. </p>

<p>Status/Background
WASP female all the way, from the <em>DEEP</em> South. I attend my parish's only academic stronghold of a high school. We offer about 8 more AP classes than any other school and attract the best teachers, we are also the only fully racially integrated school in the parish--the school board still has to settle a deseg lawsuit--and have the highest ACT average in the parish. However, the community hates my school for its racial balance, as most of the prestigious graduates in the community graduated at a time when it was all-white. They refuse to move past 1964. We emphasize academics above athletics, which is rare in this area. I seek a place with slightly more cultural enlightenment. </p>

<p>I am hearing impaired, but you'd never know. I don't know if this helps me at all??? My teachers say that it's wonderful that I've "overcome" this "adversity," this "obstacle" but, seriously, I don't think it's that big of a deal. </p>

<p>My parents are both professionals, though they came from lower-middle class backgrounds. No help there. I am an only child, so I don't have any help from older siblings or the like. </p>

<p>Courseload:
9: Latin I & II (discontinued after that--made Summa Cum Laude on National Latin Exam), Biology I (H), English I (H), Algebra I (H), Keyboarding/Keyboarding Apps, World Geo (H), PE I/Health.
10: Journalism I, PE II, Civics/Economics (H), English II (H), Geometry (H), AP Biology, Fine Arts Survey.
11: English III AP (one of the hardest classes in the school!), Algebra II G/T, Chemistry I (H), US Hist AP (H), 20th C. History G/T, Photo I, Newspaper.
12 (prospective, you never know how schedules are!): Calculus AB AP, English IV, Advanced Math (or Stats AP), Physics, Western Civ AP, Cumtux, and something else. </p>

<p>ACT: 28 (I know, I know! I'm taking it again tomorrow)
SAT: N/A yet
AP Biology: 3
AP US Hist: unknown
AP Eng: unknown (I expect a 4, English is my strongest subject)
GPA: 3.93 unweighted
Rank: 8/139 (shared with one other person) </p>

<p>Resume: </p>

<p>Latin Club (9)
Quiz Bowl for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (9-11)
Future Business Leaders of America (10,11)
Historian (11)
Mu Alpha Theta
Charter Member (11)
Key Club
Charter Member (11)
Newspaper (10,11)
Contributing Writer (10)
Staff Member (11)
Editor (12)
Yearbook (10,11)
Contributor (10)
Staff Member (11)
National Honor Society (open only to seniors @ my school) (12)
member (12)</p>

<p>COMMUNITY ACTIVITES
[church stuff, etc]
Volunteer at Veterans Affairs Medical Center (9)
Assisted veterans in rehabilitation
Participated in Adopt-A-Family, contributing goods to a family in need
Latin Club (9)
Key Club (11)
Future Business Leaders of America (11)
Asst. at Zoo Day (9-11)
[I think I have around 150 hrs of volunteer work, but that's just a rough estimate]</p>

<p>SPECIAL AWARDS AND HONORS
100 Hours of Service Award, Veterans Affairs Medical Center (9)
Quiz Bowl for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Team placed 7th in Regionals (9)
Literary Rally
Health-Superior (9)
English II-Superior (10)
Biology II-Good (10)
State Future Business Leaders of America Rally (10)
Introduction to Business Communications—1st place
Current Events-Excellent
District Future Business Leaders of America Rally (11)
Emerging Business Issues (team event)--1st place
Economics--2nd place
Highest average in English II-Honors (10)</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE
[I've worked every summer]</p>

<p>Prospective Career: I love Europe. I've visited twice and I devour every issue of The Economist. I'm particularly interested in the European Union. I want to combine these interests and work in international business. But for undergrad, I'd like to double major in Economics and German, and study abroad in Germany. It once was that Frankfurt was THE headquarters of the financial market of Europe, and they've lost so much to London. I'd love to work in a career field that would help Germany reclaim its rights as the financial center of Europe, all the while learning about another culture.</p>

<p>I realize that these schools are as alike as night and day, but I have my reasons for considering them. </p>

<p>Interested in the following schools:
University of California--Berkeley (a definite reach) I've visited it, loved the Bay Area (especially walking down the main drag and looking out into the bay!). The weather is wonderful, the school has international renown. I do wonder if my Southern background is a "hook" at all? NO ONE at my school (and we have people bound for UPenn, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Davidson, Vanderbilt) ever applies to West Coast schools. I don't know if that's typical of the South, but it does make me wonder. Ah, what a wonderful school. . . . The price is a bit on the expensive side, and I may want to save this school for the MBA I hope to pursue at the Haas School of Business, maybe? </p>

<p>University of Texas at Austin (match, maybe?) I have a huge disadvantage here, I'm from the next state, for crying out loud! UT is fighting the Top 10% Law, so if that goes through, out-of-staters like myself may stand a fighting chance. I think two or three other people in my class are considering UT as well. I've visited and it FELT right. The price is right, the campus is right, everything. We have several people in the community whose children are attending UT. One Longhorn mother remarked with a heaving sigh, "She never comes home. Once they go to Texas, they just don't come back." </p>

<p>Rice University (a reaaaaaach)--I've visited this campus, too. I only live about 4 hours away from Houston and my parents are quite amendable to that. However, I don't like the idea of the random colleges, as I've heard things about Weiss's parties and I'd hate to end up in there. But I guess I should just accept it, anyway. I love the fact that Rice has no Greeks. It's an AMAZING school, which goes without saying, of course. The Baker Institute of Public Policy is just awe-inspiring, as is everything at this school. The downside, as is the upside, is that it is in Houston. I like Houston and all, much better than my area, but I like Austin better. Of course, it really doesn't matter that I like or dislike Houston, because my chances at this school are next to nil. It's a school I would definitely consider attending, though. Everyone there is a double major! It's a school for die-hard academics. A WHOLE SCHOOL. Hah. This place is amazing. </p>

<p>Trinity University (in TX)--nice school, I've heard great things about it. Don't know much besides that. </p>

<p>LSU--safety school. Everyone in Louisiana and their brother goes there. Yay! I might meet someone from Plain Dealing! Maybe even Mansura! Bottom line is that I would go here only if rejected from almost every school in the country. I hate Baton Rouge, I hate the dorms, I hate the school colors. But, it's a good opportunity at the cost.</p>

<p>Would University of Washington be considered a safety school for me, or a match? I'd MUCH rather go there than LSU. </p>

<p>Please. I've read so many posts and would highly value any advice, criticisms, etc. that you can give me. Can anyone recommend a good safety school(preferably out of the Deep South, maybe in the West??)? </p>

<p>Thank you so much and I look forward to your responses.</p>

2

<p>Two safety schools you may want to consider out west are the University of San Diego (USD) and Loyola Marymount University. Both have pretty campuses (USD is especially striking) and possess good academic reputations. They’re smaller than other schools on your list (Total enrollment: USD – 7,200, Loyola Marymount – 7,000), but you may find that appealing. Although both are private, they’re generous with merit aid and financial aid.</p>

3

<p>The school colors at the University of Washington are also purple & gold.</p>

<p>We're from LA also & have a rising senior son, so we know what you're going through. We're looking at out-of-state schools & will be visiting several in a month or so. Even though we have two LSU graduates in the family, it's extremely unlikely he'll go there. About all I've got to offer you is some general advice.</p>

<p>I'm assuming there are a lot of schools you could attend and major (or minor) in German. I doubt that there are rankings (that mean anything) of undergraduate German programs. I would be more concerned with the Economics programs (as long as a German major is also possible). There are a lot of rankings of the "good" Economics schools (if rankings matter to you). I would suggest going to the SAT site (<a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/splash)%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/splash)&lt;/a>. Use their College Search to see what's out there.</p>

<p>If it should actually come down to LSU, don't slit your wrists. Your current ACT score is high enough to qualify you for the Honors College. You don't have to set foot off campus if you abhor Baton Rouge. I'm betting that football isn't your thing. There are lots of students there who feel that way, so you wouldn't be alone. My oldest daughter reluctantly attended LSU and did a 180 within her first year there. Who's not to say it couldn't happen to you? Besides students from Plain Dealing & Mansura, you might meet someone from Tickfaw or Red Dirt (something well worth entering in your diary). I actually have a degree in Economics from LSU and know that some of the same professors are still there. It's not the University of Chicago, but it is (or at least was) a very good department. I had a graduate student teaching my first Economics class, but thereafter it was nothing but PhDs. The other good thing about staying in-state would be the TOPS money.</p>

<p>Good luck to you. I hope you get some more relevant answers concerning your out-of-state choices.</p>

<p>P. S. Got any favorite European countries? We've also been twice (Italy & Greece the first time, Switzerland & Austria the second).</p>

4

<p>Thank you so much for your responses!</p>

<p>Alphamicro, it's so nice to have a parent who understands. Thank you for your constructive advice. LSU is a great option, especially with TOPS, but I'm sure you and your son understand the need to <em>not</em> go with the crowd. I'll probably apply to the Honors College, so if I do have to go to LSU, I can at least moan and gripe with like-minded people. I have other friends in more dire financial situations who need the TOPS, and are strongly considering LSU's Honors College. </p>

<p>I did know about the colors at U Washington (<em>wince</em>). Football is big there (as it is at UT) and everyone cheers for the Huskies. It's a nice school though, lots of interaction between profs and students for its size. It's really a last choice, though; I haven't given much thought about it and I probably should. I need to concentrate on more match and safety schools; I think I have too many reaches. </p>

<p>Berkeley is probably the best school for Economics out of my choices. They have a prof who is currently on leave while serving as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of SF! And one is the co-editor of an economic journal!! You're right, though, German is going to be pretty much the same everywhere. (I have one friend who would kill for Tulane undergrad and wants to go to med school. I told him, "Biology 101 is going to be exactly the same with or without the $32,000 tuition!") The only thing I need is a school with a study abroad program in Germany, and that's quite common, so my options are flexible there. </p>

<p>My favorite European country is definitely Italy. It's so gorgeous. Ah, Rome. . . I'm really fortunate to have had these experiences. Switzerland sounds like an interesting country, too; I'm going there next year. I would definitely consider a financial career in Zurich; that would be fun. </p>

<p>Wolfman, I have a neighbor who graduated from Loyola Marymount and loved it. I'll ask him some more about it. USD is a great idea! Thanks!</p>

5

<p>Take a peek at the College of Charleston. Everyone I have suggested the school to loves it. You have gotten some excellent advice and responses and ideas. Overall, it is very, very difficult to get into selective OOS colleges, particularly Texas and Berkeley. You may want to look at some other schools like U of South Carolina, UGa, U of Florida, Clemson along with your own state school. SMU in Texas is pricey but they will stretch with financial aid, I hear. If you are not adverse to going into cold weather territory, you might do well with some reaches that would love to have some Southern Belles. You can use the geographics as an advantage. Do keep in mind that OOS are not typically generous with financial aid for OOSers. A private college that covers most of need or with generous merit awards might be of great interest to you. If you are not closed to all female schools, there are a number that would have some great opportunities aligned with your interests. There is a huge Smith contingency on the Parents' Forum that can help you with the details. You sound like a fascinating and delightful young lady. Good luck in geting a good list together.</p>

6

<p>Looking at your list, I'm seeing a ton of universities...have you considered any liberal arts colleges? They don't offer quite as many classes/extracurricular opportunities/etc as universities, but some of the things they do offer--like the sense of community, etc.--are incredible! Also, a lot of them--Swarthmore is the first to come to mind--allow you to take classes at nearby universities if they don't offer what you want.<br>
Sifting through the boards, I've read about a ton of people who have ended up at schools that they had never before considered, so you might want to explore that sector of higher education.
<<yay! i="" might="" meet="" someone="" from="" plain="" dealing!="">>
someone with a striking resemblance to a well-adored history teacher who has excellent taste in movies? :p</yay!></p>